Accommodation

This is what the TGO Challenge is about! Whilst it is possible to plot a route with a roof over your head every night, to really experience the best of Scotland’s wild places you need to wild camp.

Scotland’s unique Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) gives you the right to wild camp for 1-2 nights on almost any wild land. it is important that you familiarise yourself with the Access Code so you can use your right responsibly.

You should camp well away from occupied buildings and their grounds and make sure where possible you are well away from roads too. You should not light fires – other than in a bothy grate or stove.

Challengers are expected to leave no trace of their campsite other than a patch of flattened grass. You must also dispose of all human waste appropriately. A lightweight trowel is as essential in your kit as your waterproofs.

When choosing your equipment bear in mind sub-zero temperatures are common in May and your shelter needs to be capable of withstanding gale-force winds and heavy rain. If you have not wild camped in Scotland before be aware that you may need a more robust shelter than you would in other places. The Challenge Facebook group is a good place to seek advice.

These are buildings which are used as basic shelters. They are a valuable resource offering welcome refuge in adverse weather. They are open to all – the principle is that a bothy is never full and anyone who opens the door should be welcomed. Having said that it is strongly advised that you carry a shelter as on occasions you may find there is limited space to sleep. If you value a good night’s sleep pitching outside also avoids the snorers! They can be great places to meet other hillgoers, share a story and maybe a dram or two.

MBA bothies. The Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) looks after a number of bothies within the Challenge area – these can be found on the Interactive Map. They will usually be open unless there are safety issues or an MBA work party is working on it – you can find up to date information on their website.

Many bothies have a stove and sleeping platforms. It goes without saying that you should not cut live wood for the stoves. Some estates provide fuel, but if not you may struggle to find fuel and carrying it in isn’t really practical on a Challenge crossing. Some of the more popular MBA bothies have composting toilets, but for most you will need to dig a hole with the bothy spade a suitable distance away from both the bothy and any watercourse.

We urge all Challengers to join or donate to the MBA and, if you have time to spare, please consider helping out at a work party.

Non-MBA bothies. Many estates leave buildings and shelters open for hillgoers to use. These are often shooting huts or old shielings and you may find them in various states of repair. If your Vetter knows of one on or near your route they may share the information with you. Please do not post about them online as their owners often request their locations are not widely shared to avoid overuse and abuse. You should also not assume this bothy will still be there, still have four walls and a roof, or be open. It may be in use by the estate, they may have decided not to maintain it or they may have chosen to lock it if it has been abused. For this reason you will not find information about non MBA bothies on the Interactive Map. If you come across a non MBA bothy on your crossing please report on its condition via the Vetting Team Information Form.

The first thing to note is that a tent symbol on a map doesn’t guarantee you can camp there! In recent years many campsites have closed down or now only accept motorhomes or caravans. You therefore need to do some research online and we advise you to prebook if you want to guarantee a pitch, especially in busy places such as Braemar, Ballater and Montrose. Bear in mind that some places close down during the winter so you may not be able to book until the Spring.

Some campsites know the Challenge well and offer a warm welcome to Challengers – Cannich Woodland Camping and Caravan Park, Ballater Caravan Park (which offers a discount to Challengers) and Dovecot Caravan Park at North Water Bridge come to mind.

Others make special arrangements for Challengers including Braemar Caravan Park where the camping pitches are reserved solely for Challengers on the busiest days, and Aboyne Caravan Park which no longer formally takes tents but will often find space for a few Challengers in response to a polite enquiry.

Tarfside village allows camping on the village green with use of a community toilet. This also gives access to refreshments provided by Challenge volunteers at St Drostan’s hostel.

Once you get to Montrose The Park Hotel offers camping in their grounds to Challengers. Alternatively you can use the Angus Council run South Links Caravan Park.

You can find these listed on various websites and apps:

• Hostelling Scotland who offer Challengers a discount – see Special Offers page
• Scottish Hostels for independent hostels. One of these is Ballater Hostel run by regular Challengers Dominique & Daniel Drewe-Martin so you are guaranteed a warm welcome and an understanding of just how sore your feet are!
• VisitScotland
• Booking.com and AirBnB and other international apps of course also work in Scotland!

Most accommodation providers give a warm welcome to Challengers but there are a few which have gone the extra mile to help us in past years, some opening their doors especially for the Event.

• Ault-na-Goire, Errogie, NH 544 229 – the Janet & Alec Sutherlands offer a great welcome along with camping, often delicious home cooking and most probably you will be serenaded with a fiddle on your departure. Please email (address is in the Event Details). They will hold resupply parcels if informed in advance.
• Ballater Hostel is run by regular Challengers Dominique and Daniel Drewe-Martin so you are assured of a warm welcome and you may find some surprise goodies baked by Dominique on your route in or out of the village!
• Callater Lodge, NO 178 844 – Bill Duncan will open Callater Lodge for Challengers once again and food may be available on some evenings. Be aware facilities are basic as the lodge is off grid but there are plenty of places to camp and an MBA bothy with composting toilet next door.
• Cougie Lodge, NH 242 212 – Melanie and her family (melaniejpstrang@hotmail.com or 07773 491 262) usually welcome Challengers for food, accommodation and camping. Please Note Cougie is largely off grid and there is no mobile signal or internet. Melanie therefore maybe slow to respond to messages as she can only pick them up when away from home.
• Old School Hostel Dalwhinnie – Lee will hold resupply parcels and has supplies of gas and meths for sale. Please book beds with him directly, dalwhinniehostel@gmail.com, for a better price than on commercial booking platforms.
• Mar Lodge, west of Braemar. The National Trust for Scotland will offer hot drinks and biscuits in the Stables Courtyard. Payment by cash donation. They will also hold resupply parcels, though cannot take any responsibility for them.
• Newtonmore Hostel – Challenge Control is usually based here during the first week of the Event and hot drinks and cakes are offered to all staying or passing through in aid of Cairngorm MRT. It is currently for sale, but if we are still here in the Spring we will be offering cakes, holding resupply parcels and, on request, we will buy in gas cannisters for collection.
• Tarfside – St Drostan’s Hostel is run by Challenge volunteers offering light refreshments, beds on a first come, first served basis (no prebooking) and camping on the village green. They cannot hold resupply parcels. So as not to overwhelm the locals or exhaust the volunteers we ask that those who visited during their previous crossing look for an alternative route to the coast. For more details click here.