After a long period of closure over the pandemic, all huts maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association will again be available to the public. The re-opening of bothies in Wales and Scotland to 'responsibe use' on 9th August follows that of the English bothies in mid July, and reflects the general easing of coronavirus restrictions across the UK.

MBA Chairman, Simon Birch, said:

"Since the start of the Covid 19 pandemic, we have adopted the position that our shelters are closed and we would like to thank all those responsible MBA members and the general public who have complied with that request.

 "Covid-19 has not gone away and Governments are advising that everyone should remain vigilant and continue to take precautions to stop the further spread of the virus. We are therefore asking bothy users to make their own risk assessment before deciding to visit and to exercise personal responsibility while they are there. We are also asking that they follow some straightforward guidelines. By doing so they will protect both themselves and others."

The MBA guidelines are:

• Make yourself aware of, and follow, all current Government health guidelines.
• Do not set off to visit a bothy if you have symptoms. They recommend that you also take a lateral flow test even if you don't have symptoms.
• Always take a tent and consider using it to sleep in if others are present.
• Take and use personal PPE, i.e. face masks and sanitising fluid. 
• Ventilate the building by opening windows and doors (while remembering to shut the door when you leave).
• When leaving the bothy, take everything that you have brought in, including rubbish, so that the potential to leave the virus on the surface of bothy discard is eliminated.
• Follow the bothy code and always be respectful, courteous, and tolerant of others.