Bothy
Fords of Avon Refuge
Be clear about what this is: an emergency refuge, not a bothy. A single small windowless room — an insulated timber core buried in a shell of granite boulders — at 688m where the Lairig an Laoigh crosses the River Avon, hours from any road. It was built in June 1970 by Fleet Air Arm ratings, rebuilt by MBA volunteers with Glenmore Lodge and RAF help in 2011, and is on record as having saved lives on multiple occasions. It is not intended for planned overnight stays.
Quick facts
- Walk-in
- 13 km· 4 hrs
- Sleeps
- 4
- Altitude
- 688m
- Condition
- Basic / rough
- Grid ref
- NJ042032
- Maintained by
- Mountain Bothies Association
- Fireplace
- No
- Water
- The River Avon runs yards from the door — famously clear and good to drink. Treat to be safe, and do not attempt the stepping stones in spate.
Our take
We list the Fords of Avon Refuge because people search for it and because it belongs on any honest map of Cairngorm shelters — but do not plan a night here. It has no fire, barely sleeps four, and exists to keep benighted and storm-bound walkers alive, a job it has done repeatedly for fifty years. Pass it, note it, drink from the Avon (it is famously clear), and save your bothy night for Ryvoan or the Hutchison hut.
Getting there
It sits at the mid-point of the Lairig an Laoigh, the eastern of the two great Cairngorm passes — roughly 13km from Glenmore via Ryvoan and the flank of Bynack More, or a similar full-day approach from Linn of Dee through Glen Derry. There is no quick way in or out; that is the point of the refuge. The route crosses the Avon itself on stepping stones beside the shelter.
Nearest parking: Glenmore (Allt Mor car park) or Linn of Dee — both are full-day approaches
No approach GPX yet
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Stalking season / estate access
RSPB Scotland (Abernethy) land — no stalking restrictions documented.
What to expect inside
One small, dark room that sleeps three or four in reasonable comfort — any more, in the MBA's own spirit of honesty, is playing at sardines. No fire, no stove, no windows: the 2011 rebuild was deliberately kept spartan as a condition of planning consent on RSPB Abernethy land. Warm kit and a proper mat are not optional here.
Nearby hills
When to visit
In summer this is a useful through-route waypoint and emergency bolt-hole. In winter it sits in the heart of the high Cairngorms with full winter seriousness — and the Avon crossing beside it can be impassable in spate at any time of year. Walkers have been trapped here by the river. Never build a plan that depends on crossing the Avon without a fallback.
Wildfire risk — May to October
Dry conditions increase wildfire risk during summer. Never light fires in the open. Use the bothy fireplace only, and ensure it is fully out before you leave.
Current conditions
Condition unverified
We have not received a recent visitor report for this bothy. Check the MBA bothy register for current status before relying on this bothy as shelter.
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:21
- Sunset
- 22:07
- Civil dawn
- 03:14
- Civil dusk
- 23:13
NOAA Solar Calculator · 10 June 2026
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Stock up at Aviemore
Nearest TripSCOT town for food, fuel, and accommodation if the bothy is busy.
Fords of Avon Refuge — common questions
- How far is the walk into Fords of Avon Refuge?
- 13km from Glenmore (Allt Mor car park) or Linn of Dee — both are full-day approaches — about 4 hours at a steady walking pace. It sits at the mid-point of the Lairig an Laoigh, the eastern of the two great Cairngorm passes — roughly 13km from Glenmore via Ryvoan and the flank of Bynack More, or a similar full-day approach from Linn of Dee through Glen Derry.
- Does Fords of Avon Refuge have a fireplace?
- No — Fords of Avon Refuge has no fireplace. Bring a stove for cooking and dress warm for the evening; bothies without fires get cold quickly.
- How many people does Fords of Avon Refuge sleep?
- 4 sleeping spaces — but bothies operate first-come-first-served and you may share with strangers. On busy weekends parties often pitch a tent outside if the bothy is full.
- Is there water at Fords of Avon Refuge?
- The River Avon runs yards from the door — famously clear and good to drink. Treat to be safe, and do not attempt the stepping stones in spate.
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