Bothies aren’t the place to party but a few drinks help

People need to relax if they want to love the countryside, according to Gabriella Bennett.

The author of The Art Of Coorie: How To Live Happy The Scottish Way suggests must-see lists and guidebooks urging visitors to march from spot to spot are for the birds. In recent years travel guides which focus on listing attractions have risen in popularity.

However, according to journalist Gabriella, working your way down a list may not be the best way to experience Scotland’s gems.

“You can get a bit of palette fatigue with these things. To me, they just provide ideas you can decide to act on or not in the future,” she said.

“I don’t collect experiences like that. There’s a danger listicles can be reductive.

“That fits with the idea the only way to enjoy nature or the outside has to come from earnest discovery achievement. I don’t believe in that at all.

“Since I wrote my book, I find I’m using nature and the outdoors less for recovery, which is interesting since that was the reason I wrote it.

“I just try to enjoy these places purely on their own merit. The list format is great but it’s not something I adhere to when it comes to checking them off.

“I love Pete Irvine’s Scotland The Best. Ultimately with these kinds of books you are trusting the author’s taste, so it’s about finding an author whose views yours align with.”

And, she said, a live-and-let-live attitude can see you through some long nights in bothies in the remotest areas.

“You aren’t going to get the comfiest night’s sleep in a bothy but the joy of being able to sit down and have something to eat is what it’s all about,” said Gabriella.

“Recently a friend stayed in one who said her fellow bothy guests wanted to talk all night.

“I think there’s an unwritten rule to stick to the sleep wishes of the person who wants to go to bed earliest, especially if they don’t want to socialise, which is fine.

“Bothies aren’t necessarily places to party – you want to feel well enough the next day to complete your walk but you also want to have fun and make the most of the experience.

“You aren’t going to get the best night’s sleep, but you just have to roll with it. I hear a few drinks help.”