Bookmakers

The wind sings through the moorland grass, and inside the stone walls of this mountain bothy, a fire crackles in the grate while rain drums on the roof.

Bookmakers is a true walkers' refuge — a basic shelter for hikers, climbers and wild campers who value simplicity over creature comforts. There's space for a tent on the rough ground outside if the bothy's full, and the odd dog-walker passes through (worth asking about your own four-legged companion). This is backcountry Britain at its most stripped-back: no wardens, no Wi-Fi, just the hills and whoever else has made the walk in.

Inside you'll find bare essentials — sleeping platforms, a fireplace, maybe a tin of emergency candles left by the last visitor. Campfires depend on conditions and bothy etiquette, so check the book when you arrive and follow the code. Open year-round, but that means what it says: you're responsible for yourself, your rubbish, and leaving it better than you found it. The vibe is silent hillsides, shared whisky, and the particular satisfaction of a shelter earned on foot.