The increasing commercialization of countryside recreation facilities: the case of Scottish mountain bothies

Abstract

This paper examines the future management of a type of remote visitor accommodation provision in the Scottish Highlands; mountain bothies. The research was undertaken in the context of major changes in the planning and management of countryside recreation opportunities in the United Kingdom; not least the increasing pressures to manage such facilities on a more commercial basis. It is suggested that commercialization can bring distinct advantages in the management and improvement of facilities, including the manipulation of users, and of course, revenue generation. However, there may be disadvantages in terms of accessibility. Mountain bothies are currently managed by volunteers in the Mountain Bothies Association and other organizations, and are free of charge to users. However, there are increasing concerns about over-use, vandalism and pollution, particularly in areas of outstanding wildlife and landscape importance. The system of management must adapt if it is to respond to these growing pressures. In order to propose a way forward, alternative remote accommodation systems in Norway and New Zealand are examined. These systems appear more effective, and generally include an element of charging for accommodation. It is suggested that the Mountain Bothies Association will need to consider some degree of commercialization in order to ensure the future protection of the bothy system in Scotland. However, an element of caution is expressed if this approach is to be widely adopted in the management of countryside facilities as it may have far-reaching effects on the long-term use of the Scottish Highlands.