Bothy
Gameshope
Gameshope is the highest bothy in southern Scotland at over 400m, a former byre in a steep-sided glen above Talla Reservoir. The cottage beside it — now a ruin — was built by stonemason John Dickson in the early 19th century, and the Anderson family shepherded here until 1919. Since 2013 the glen has belonged to the Borders Forest Trust, which removed the sheep and has planted over 220,000 native trees; the MBA renovated the byre in memory of Andrew Jensen, opening it in late 2018. Covenanters met in this glen — Peden's Pulpit, up the burn, is named for the preacher Alexander Peden.
Quick facts
- Walk-in
- 2 km· 0.7 hrs
- Sleeps
- 8
- Altitude
- 414m
- Condition
- Good condition
- Grid ref
- NT135185
- Maintained by
- Mountain Bothies Association
- Fireplace
- No
- Water
- The Gameshope Burn runs beside the bothy. Treat before drinking.
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead on approach
Our take
Gameshope is the thinking walker's southern bothy: a rewilding glen, five Donalds from the door, Covenanter history up the burn, and a 40-minute walk-in that makes it absurdly accessible. The no-fire rule filters out exactly the crowd you would want filtered. Take the warm bag, time the ford, and watch a glen being slowly handed back to the trees.
Getting there
Park in the roadside space near Talla Linnfoots at the east end of Talla Reservoir, then follow the clear track up the Gameshope valley — only about 2km with 120m of ascent. The catch is the ford across the Gameshope Burn: easy in dry weather, genuinely dangerous in spate. A replacement footbridge east of the bothy was approved in 2025 — check current status, and if the burn is high without a bridge, turn back. The track can carry sheet ice in winter.
Nearest parking: Roadside space near Talla Linnfoots, at the east end of Talla Reservoir before the Talla Linn hill road
No approach GPX yet
Walked this approach? Share your track to help other bothy-goers.
Stalking season / estate access
Borders Forest Trust land (Talla & Gameshope) — no stalking. Keep dogs under close control, especially during bird breeding season, March to July.
What to expect inside
A single room with wooden sleeping platforms along two walls — bunks for eight — plus tables, chairs and generous cooking benches. Clean and well looked after. There is no stove and no fireplace: at 414m that defines the experience, so pack winter-grade insulation in any month and a hot-water bottle in cold ones.
Nearby hills
When to visit
Borders Forest Trust asks that dogs be kept under close control, particularly during bird breeding season from March to July — the glen is an active habitat-restoration site. No stalking or lambing closures: the sheep are gone. The ford is the year-round constraint; the missing fire is the winter one.
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
- 04:32
- Sunset
- 21:53
- Civil dawn
- 03:34
- Civil dusk
- 22:52
NOAA Solar Calculator · 10 June 2026
Share your experience
Stayed at Gameshope? Help other walkers plan their visit.
Gameshope — common questions
- How far is the walk into Gameshope?
- 2km from Roadside space near Talla Linnfoots, at the east end of Talla Reservoir before the Talla Linn hill road — about 0.7 hours at a steady walking pace. Park in the roadside space near Talla Linnfoots at the east end of Talla Reservoir, then follow the clear track up the Gameshope valley — only about 2km with 120m of ascent.
- Does Gameshope have a fireplace?
- No — Gameshope has no fireplace. Bring a stove for cooking and dress warm for the evening; bothies without fires get cold quickly.
- How many people does Gameshope sleep?
- 8 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 Gameshope?
- The Gameshope Burn runs beside the bothy. Treat before drinking.
- When can I visit Gameshope?
- Best months: May, June, July, August, September. During the stalking season (August-October), contact the estate before visiting.
Bag more bothies
One email a week — new bothy and hill guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.