Bothy
Johnnie Notions Camping Böd
NOT a free open-access bothy: Johnnie Notions is a Shetland camping böd, booked and paid for in advance (£15 per bunk or £50 for exclusive use, per night) through the Northmavine office on 01806 544222 or bookings@northmavine.com. It sits at the road end in Hamnavoe, Eshaness, in the north-west corner of Northmavine, and it is open all year. A böd was a fishermen's booth or hut; this one takes its name from John Williamson, "Johnnie Notions", who lived nearby and worked as a fisherman, farmer, blacksmith, joiner and tailor. During Shetland's smallpox epidemic in the 1700s he developed a method of inoculation credited with saving around 3,000 people across the islands. The böd opened in 1992 as the third camping böd completed by the Shetland Amenity Trust, and panels inside tell his story and that of Eshaness's natural heritage.
Quick facts
- Walk-in
- Roadside
- Sleeps
- 4
- Altitude
- 28m
- Condition
- Good condition
- Grid ref
- HU237805
- Maintained by
- Community maintained
- Fireplace
- Yes
- Water
- Cold running water in the kitchen and toilet area.
- Mobile signal
- EE signal and some 4G.
Our take
This is not a bothy in the walk-up-and-share sense, and it does not pretend to be: you book it, pay for it and drive to the door. What you get for that is a roof, a stove and running water at the end of a road on Shetland's Atlantic edge, for £15 a bunk. Bring your own bedding and a camping stove, and book exclusive use if you are four or bringing a dog.
Getting there
No walk-in: you drive to the door. Follow the A970 north towards Hillswick, take the right turn onto the B9078 towards Eshaness, then turn right at the Hamnavoe junction and follow the road to its end, about 1.5 miles. Park considerately and do not block gates or the road. What3words: ///brains.unwound.skylights.
Nearest parking: At the böd, at the road end in Hamnavoe, Eshaness — keep gates and the road clear
No approach GPX yet
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What to expect inside
Sleeps 4 on two sets of bunks with mattresses. Bedding is not provided, so bring a sleeping bag. A wood-burning stove takes wood, coal or peat; peat can be had on site for a donation. Bring a camping stove for cooking and use it in the kitchen area only. Cold running water in the kitchen and toilet. Dogs are welcome only by prior arrangement, and only when the böd is booked for exclusive use.
Photos
When to visit
Open all year. With the fire, mattresses and running water it is one of the few bothy-style roofs in Scotland that makes sense in a Shetland winter, when the long nights are the best chance of the Northern Lights.
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
Last condition reportOctober 2026
Details supplied by the operator on 2026-10-26: bookable, open all year, sleeps 4 on bunks with mattresses, fire (wood, coal or peat), cold running water. Dogs only by prior arrangement with exclusive use.
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:14
- Sunset
- 16:26
- Civil dawn
- 06:29
- Civil dusk
- 17:11
NOAA Solar Calculator · 26 October 2026
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Johnnie Notions Camping Böd — common questions
- What's the approach to Johnnie Notions Camping Böd like?
- The walk-in runs 0km from At the böd, at the road end in Hamnavoe, Eshaness — keep gates and the road clear, roughly 0 hours at a steady pace. No walk-in: you drive to the door.
- Does Johnnie Notions Camping Böd have a fireplace?
- Yes, a working fireplace. Pack your own firewood for Johnnie Notions Camping Böd — usable wood near Scottish bothies is scarce, and bothy furniture and boundary posts are not fuel.
- How many people does Johnnie Notions Camping Böd sleep?
- Johnnie Notions Camping Böd is booked in advance, not first-come-first-served, and sleeps 4. Check the operator's booking details on this page before you travel.
- Is there water at Johnnie Notions Camping Böd?
- Cold running water in the kitchen and toilet area.
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