Published: Thursday, 26th March, 2009 2:48pm

Popular bothy is wrecked

BOOZED-UP partygoers have wrecked a popular Peeblesshire bothy.

A catalogue of destruction was found by a local walker at Minch Moor bothy last Monday.

Several windows were smashed and an axe was taken to the porch and windowsill.

And several nearby Sitka Spruce trees and the bench from within the bothy were used for firewood.

The cabin, which can sleep up to six people, was ransacked and it appears that a fire was attempted to be lit inside.

Cans, bottles and other debris now litters the site of the popular Southern Upland Way shelter which is used by many walkers, bikers and horseriders.

Even the visitors book didn"t escape the flames!

Innerleithen resident John Murdie said: 'I"ve cleaned up bottles and newspapers from it before when passing, but this is ridiculous.

'I can"t believe that people would be so malicious; they"d have been better off if they just knocked the whole thing down.

'The bothy is well-used all year round but even more during the busy walking season which is about to begin.

'I think the problem is that it"s not remote enough and too near to Traquair. Lads can just head up there with a couple of cans and the result is this.'

Built in 1998 by both the Scottish Countryside Rangers and the Forestry Commission the bothy lies just over a mile outside Traquair village.

Ranger Keith Robeson said: 'We"ve had minor vandalism in the past, but nothing on the scale of this.

'The bothy was built as a shelter for long-distance walkers not all-night partygoers. It"s a real shame but we"ll get it fixed up again.'

Local councillor Graham Garvie said: 'This behaviour is unacceptable at what is a communal facilities for walkers and riders.

'I would hope that the culprits who did this are apprehended.'

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carmelsexton
Apr 13 09 08:01
Comment: 2582

Some dick pinched the stove out of Will's Bothy also.

I think I'll give up on borders bothies and stick with remote highland dossies.

John Murdie is right, it's too close to civilisation.

I hope the culprits end up with Jade Goody disease.
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carmelsexton
Apr 13 09 08:13
Comment: 2583

Just to comment on Ranger Keith Robeson's comments. There's nothing wrong with a good night-long party at a bothy, provided the place is appreciated, looked after, cleaned up and left as one found it (if not tidier). A place like this is hardly going to get used by long distance walkers when it is only 1 mile from Traquair. The problem is the uninspiring yob culture of our halfwit, dumbed-down society who already infest our towns and cities, and are now spreading like bacteria into the wilds. I therefore make no apologies for the Jade Goody comment above. Good riddance to all bad rubbish!
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