The organisation in charge of preserving some of Scotland’s most remote traditional accommodation has shut down its sites amid fears over the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Mountain Bothy Association (MBA) said it was reacting to “government and medical advice” by closing the shelters - which have provided mountain travellers with vital stopping points for generations.
Dozens of hillwalkers were spotted in popular spots across the north of Scotland during the weekend, despite government advice on ‘social distancing’.
READ MORE: Highland range centre forced to turn away 30 camper vans seeking refuge for isolation
All member’s meetings for the association have also been postponed until further notice.
It comes as dozens of Highland communities moved to dissuade visitors from travelling to the area in a bid to self-isolate from Coronavirus.
The Nevis Range centre in Fort William reported having to turn away 30 camper vans on Sunday as people from across the UK travelled to some of Scotland's most remote locations to ‘self-isolate in style'.
The disease has so far infected almost 500 people in Scotland, however council areas including Orkney and the Western Isles are yet to record any cases.
Concerns have been raised that bothies may become the next target of those looking to self-isolate in the Highlands and Islands.
READ MORE: Meet the man who gave up rat race to live in a forest
The MBA manages and maintains more than 80 of the shelters in Scotland and around 100 across the UK.
A statement posted on their website read: “In line with Government and medical advice about social distancing, all MBA maintained bothies are CLOSED to visitors until further notice.
“The Association has also cancelled all meetings and work parties.”
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