Camban Bothy

By Marjory Sandilands

A homage to Camban Bothy and the refuge it has provided people over the years
Image provided by Marjory Sandilands

Camban Bothy is a mountain refuge located on the pass that links Kintail and Glen Affric. It was originally a staging post on an old droving road through from Skye and the West Coast to the livestock markets in Inverness and Dingwall. The bothy was then built in the early 1830’s to house a shepherd and his family. The last occupant leaving around 1920. Over the years the building then fell into disrepair. But in 1969 it was restored by volunteers in memory of two climbing friends, Philip Tranter and Alistair Park. The Bothy is now maintained by the Mountain Bothy Association. On a very wet day in May 1995, Camban Bothy provided a welcome refuge for myself and my husband on our return journey from Glenshiel Campsite to Glen Affric.

Many thanks to Marjory Sandilands for sharing with us the story behind her journey stone, created as part of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.

WHAT IS A JOURNEY STONE?

Prior to the beginning of the stitching of each tapestry panel, each stitcher of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands was tasked with telling their interpretation of the 'Spirit of the Highlands and Islands' within a blank outline of a stone. The possibilities were truly endless - is it represented in the land? The people? A historical site? A favourite memory?

In any case, each journey stone represents the connection between each individual stitcher, their story, and their own sense, or 'spirit', of place. Discover more of the stories behind the journey stones of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands here.