It's a while since I've been in Galloway Forest Park and I fancy a trip up there, possibly camping or bothying. White Laggan bothy is in a good location and was pretty respectable last time I was there, but I wonder what it's like now, cos several other bothies in that area have been vandalised/set alight. Anybody know if it's habitable?
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Just thought I'd bump this thread, cos now Paddy is back he might know the answer -- or somebody else might have been that way, of course.
Cheers all.
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 Sorry - but it's been a couple of years or so since I've been there. Sometimes it's in good condition and sometimes it's a complete tip. It all depends on who stayed there recently, and whether they trashed the place, or cleaned up the trash that other people left behind. The problem is that you can drive almost to the door, and most of the ne'er-do-wells from nearby towns know it, so it's an easy target for abuse. The same goes for Backhill of Bush. I turned up there one night and found it swept clean and freshly whitewashed, but later that night, a gang of lads turned up, and after my next day's walk, I returned to find the place trashed.
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 I stopped for the night last August while walking the Southern Upland Way,the sleeping loft had been blocked off due to vandalism and the bothy was messy but habitable. If you are happy sleeping on a narrow bench! I chose to sleep in my tent but was woken up by a group of Quad bikers stopping by for a few beers before continuing on their way.The joys of forest tracks 
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Cheers both. Sounds like a tent might be the best option then.
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Ask on ukbothies at ukbothies.freeforums.org. It's a site devoted to bothies and the state they're in. Someone will know up to date position on there.
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I was there 4th Jan this year and it was fine,there's a wide sleeping platform that'll take 2 o.k. in the main room but if that's already in use the other bench is a bit narrow
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 Its perfectly fine, stayed there couple weeks back. I assume someone had been busy as the first room was full of freshly chopped branches. All very wet like the rest of the wood about too. Have fun!!!
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However, i did find 3 big 'Black Bag' (2 were actually blue) sized bags full of rubbish in nearby woods. I sadly couldnt carry anymore as was already carrying for two people. so if you car is nearby. Hint Hint.
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| Edited: 26/03/09 17:09 |
 Hi guys, I was at White Laggan bothy a little over a week ago. It was in great condition, with only a little rubbish left hanging from a beam by previous visitors. Plenty of dry fire wood and nice and tidy. I took a video while I was there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DLeInqLLzgIt was my first stay in a bothy and I thoroughly enjoyed the chance to rest up and dry out my kit after a cold, wet and windy night spent bivvying on the summit of Benyellary! I was hiking in a group of five, and everyone was very impressed with the facilities, the Mountain Bothies Association are obviously doing a great job! Highly recommended!
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| Edited: 02/10/11 17:40 |
Yeah, I saw that when I was planning the walk and looking into White Laggan, it annoyed me that that was the top video result for the bothy... it definitely doesn't help the problems people are having when they turn up to a bothy wet, cold and tired and find it in a state because people have been abusing it! Luckily, the bothy was in good condition when we arrived. http://blog.outdoorscotland.co.uk/2005/10/scotlands-mountain-bothies-under.html
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| Edited: 02/10/11 21:14 |
 It's a pity Archie didn't do himself a mischief. A tosser among tossers.
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...in other words, a tosser squared 
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