I can remember a few “howffs” that were built often near climbing areas. They were usually near or under big boulders below the crags . I remember one in the Cairngorms in Coire an’t Sneachda below the Mess of Pottage we located it on a search in the 70’s I never found it again! Off course the Cairngorms have many the old favourite is the Shelter Stone beside Loch Avon. There are a few other nearby !
Creag an Dubh Loch also has a few howff’s below the Big routes. I have wandered about and located a few in the past. Of course there is the Secret Bothy This is a wonderful little stone structure in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. … It has a romantic past, having been built in secret in 1952 by four climbers fed up with carrying the heavy tents of the day on the long walk into the Cairngorms. There’s is a great tale of the building of this howff. Their names are in the howff on a plaque on the wall.
The Cobbler, Ben Narnain and the Brack are famous for its howfs and many climbers in the past spent nights here. John Hinde an old pal told me many years ago they used to have “howfing meets” This was after his old pal Ben Humble used to tell him of the Howff’s under the Narnain and Cobbler boulders. There are great tales in many of the old climbing books of the climbers staying under the boulders well worth a read.
Most areas have howffs Skye has an abundance of them. There are a few Prince Charlie’s caves in some mountain areas. Of course there is the famous Cluny Cave at Creag Dubh near Newtonmore well worth a look.
What is your favourite howff it would be great to see any photos. Many thanks to Andy Brooks of the Moray Mountaineering Club for the use of his classic photo!
Where was it taken ?
Comments and photos especially welcome.
Old mans thoughts and tales. 
It looks very like the now destroyed howff in Coire Ardair of Creag Meagaidh.
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It is what year was it taken down ?
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Not sure but I first walked past it as a semi ruin in 1985. At that stage the walls were still up but the roof had collapsed. So it’s been gone for many years now
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Thanks for that Alistair
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Both little used these days, but there are the Smith-Winram and the Smith Dey in the Cairngorms.
There also used to be a great wee two-man howff within 20 minutes of the Linn o’Dee. Used it a few times in the ’80s until an estate worker burnt it out and scattered the stones. Many years later I discovered that it was one of my bothy mates who had built it. A small world.
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Thanks Neil
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Aye Heavy.
I used to frequent The Drey in Glen Coe in the later 80’s. it was a great wee place. Last time I was up to the door was well over 10 years ago and the roof was sound but the door broken and the inside gutted sadly.
Also used a wee howff above the Shelter Stone which we called ‘Hell’s Gate’. It was a flattish shelf under a large boulder and was atmospheric to say the least! Fine for dryish weather But not a place for the winter.
Quite a few others dotted about. Succoth Caves at Arrochar, Clova, Inchnadamph etc.
I also searched in vain for ‘Jamie Murray’s Cave’ in Strath Nethy which I had been given a Grid Ref for. Did visit El Alamein A few times but never stayed.
I have a wee hankering for a return to Hell’s Gate. Maybe next year!
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Cracking any photos of these great places?
Thanks for the comment !
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Time marches on; I wish not so quickly. Since the age of 15 I have climbed mountains in many ranges across the globe. Nevertheless, my greatest memory is of climbing the Munros. I ‘ compleated’ on September 30th 2008 ( Munroist number 4,200) Once finished I intended to attempt the task of visiting all the mountain bothies to add to the very many I had spent the night in during my Munro quest. Also the many ruins that are scattered across the Highlands. As the years passed by this was an achievable task??? However broken legs, 2018 and other restrictions have held me up so dramatically. Also, as I said the never ending encroachment of time. Thus I have become, in some respects, an armchair climber. I did finish my book on Mardale the drowned village under the cold waters of Haweswater. ( Mardale Mysteries ) mardale.uk and now I am reliving my long lonely journeys across the Highlands from 1957 to date of leg accident 2018. I have in front of me hundreds of photos of my bothy explorations . Sorting them out is a joy; but oh how I wish I were up in the mountains again. Maybe soon ?? I shall forever remember my overnight stay at Corryhully bothy in the worst gale I have ever experienced. Also the most spooky night I have experienced during an enforced overnight at Iron Lodge. If anyone were interested in any of these adventures I have added a pdf file ( Bothy life Philosophy Escapism) to my Mardale website ( mardale.uk ) – click BLOG and a book I wrote on Bothy life. ( it is free to read ) Meanwhile I am continuing my labour of love cataloguing all my bothy photo collection. Very best wishes John Cooke.
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Great to hear from you hopefully you will get back on the hills
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Just found your post and it brought back many memories. I once stayed in the howf on Creag Meaghaidh and arrived back after the usual epic, only to be fed curried dog meat. There were a few choice words said that night. I think the doss was built by Glasgow JMCS late 60,s and was originally locked. There was room for 6 and you slept in the roof. I also have fond memories of “Bendy Bendy” a doss under the bridge at Hamish McInnes’s cottage. There was a flat ledge on a rocky outcrop and the walls were corrigated tin fixed to posts jammed between the underside of the bridge and the floor with thick polythene tacked on to provide some light. It was also known as “The Lair Of The Black Crabbe” as it was rumoured that Davy Crabbe stayed there when helping out McInnes with his Climbing Courses. Sadly this is no longer there since the new bridge was built. Another doss was behind the Laggan Hotel which was well used by folks climbing on Creag Meaghaidh. The hotel is long gone and I think is used as an Estate Office. Once met Tom Patey there who said a previous owner would treat the doss users as residents and keep the bar open till the last customer staggered out. Happy days
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They were thanks
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