The Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) has today issued a statement announcing that Gleann Dubh-Lighe bothy has burnt down.

Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that they attended an incident at the bothy near Streap in the early hours of 31 August, and that the building has been totally destroyed. The MBA promises further updates when they have a clearer understanding of the situation, but for now it is too early to say if the bothy on Fassfern estate west of Fort William will be rebuilt. The bothy had been maintained as an open shelter by the MBA since 2005, and was known (though not widely) for being a great place to stay.

'The fire was a genuine accident (involving a leaking gas cylinder), no-one was hurt and the person involved contacted us immediately afterwards' confirmed MBA Trustee Andy Mayhew on a UKH forum thread.

The MBA was established in 1965, has around 4,000 members, and undertakes the restoration and maintenance of a number of old cottages, huts and similar buildings throughout the wilder parts of Scotland, England and Wales for use as open shelters for walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Many of the buildings that are cared for by the MBA would otherwise have become derelict. The Association currently looks after almost 100 bothies. All of the restoration and maintenance work is undertaken by volunteers.