Scottish Winter Bothy Bivi 2013. 14 Dec.

[Ray Young]

How does 14/15 Dec sound to folks. As for location it would appear that the building marked Fingland in the Cloich Hills (south of Edinburgh/north of Peebles) is a locked bothy run by the Borders Bothy Association but can be booked and used for a small fee. (Apparently they run six locked bothies and lock them due to misuse). If people are up for it I will look into booking it.
What's peoples thoughts on date/location?

[Taylor]

All now have Calor Gas cooking facilities, open fires and various forms of lighting. One boasts a running water system with hot baths available!

Wow.

[pushbikemike]

I'm in.
Should be good fun getting there. Especially in the snow.

[Ray Young]

Not too far to go either Mike, even in snow!

PS. Do you know something I don't?

[restlessshawn]

Yeah sounds good, a fire would be nice!

I better start planning my christmas dinner menu!

Not managed to get out since end of June, lacking a bit of motivation for random solo sleeps out so will be good to have something to look forward to.

[Ray Young]

Fingland Bothy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/69996957@N00/2996318202/
Inside Fingland Bothy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/69996957@N00/2995474909/

[restlessshawn]

Looks nice, is the wid included?

[Ray Young]

Not sure, will find out when I book it. If not then you can drag some in behind your bike from the forest, it's only half a mile .

[jamiep]

I'm interested in joining this. Any date would be fine

[Ray Young]

I'm still in Malta but will look into booking it when I get back.
Maybe we'll get to ride together after all jamiep, I'm still kicking myself about not checking my phone for the solstice do .

[Yorlin]

The whole thing sounds a lot of fun - sadly no way I can make it

Were you looking for contact details?
http://www.mcofs.org.uk/huts-other.asp
Border Bothies Association
At present the Association maintains four bothies, all in the Tweed Valley, three within walking distance of each other, all within cycling distance. All now have Calor Gas cooking facilities, open fires and various forms of lighting. One boasts a running water system with hot baths available! All are very special places where folk can relax and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the Border countryside.

Anyone interested in helping with the work of the Association or in using the bothies for groups who would enjoy and benefit from the experience should contact:
David Dixon (Secretary), 8 Oswald Terrace, Prestonpans, East Lothian EH32 9EG
Tel. 01875 812985

[Ray Young]

Hi Yorlin, thanks for the info and thanks again for making the extra effort to post the info on here rather than the ukbothies site where I posted the request for info. Shame you couldn't come along too, maybe another time.
Will get in touch with BBA to see about booking Fingland asap.

[Yorlin]

Hey no problems - after finding this place I couldn't not register :D

Would have loved to come, but I'm sure it will be great! You should take the bothy people's advice and pack huge amounts of whisky and firewood! 8-)

[Ray Young]

Fingland Bothy is now booked for us on Sat 14 Dec. :D .
Facilities are running water (purify before use), gas cooker (four rings, grill and oven), pans, crockery, cutlery etc, wood burning stove (axe and saw supplied, woods ten minutes walk), flush toilet and two gas lanterns.
Not been told how much the fee for use is yet but can't see it being too much.
There are currently four of us who have put our names forward but there is plenty more space for others if you wish to join in the fun.
Fingland is situated in the Cloich Hills south of Edinburgh and north west of Peebles. I will pm map coordinates to anyone else who wishes to come along.

Jamiep, you up for riding down together through the Pentlands?

[jamiep]

Thanks for booking.

Jamiep, you up for riding down together through the Pentlands?

Absolutely. Great. I recall there being a thread on STW about routes Edin-Peebles.

[Ray Young]

Jamie, I know a lot of Edin-Peebs routes, just need to know how far you want to ride and how difficult you want it, unless of course you have a route in mind already.

[jamiep]

Jamie, I know a lot of Edin-Peebs routes, just need to know how far you want to ride and how difficult you want it, unless of course you have a route in mind already.

Nope, if you have a route then I'll take your lead

[RobMac]

Ray and Jamiep are you up for a complete stranger gate crashing?

[Ray Young]

Ray and Jamiep are you up for a complete stranger gate crashing?

High RobMac, no problem at all, as far as I'm concerned there are no strangers on here, just like minded people who haven't met yet.
Start point from Edinburgh is Bonaly Tower car park at NT212675. We can decide the route on the day depending on conditions.

[pushbikemike]

What time are you planning on arriving. I'll set off from peebles and take a convoluted route to make a decent ride of it.

[Ray Young]

Hi Mike, I want to be there 5.30 so as to give time to go wood gathering. Gonna have me a big fire, a big dinner and a decent drink. Really looking forward to this :D .

[pushbikemike]

Sounds like a good plan. Like a good fire. Looking forward to it too.

[restlessshawn]

Can you pm me the grid ref please Ray? Hoping to cycle over from home on back roads, a few gravel tracks and the inners - peebles cycle path

[Ray Young]

Hi restless, pm sent.

Five of us now put our names forward for this, :D .

[pushbikemike]

Ray, can you send me the coordinates too?