How far is the walk into Kettleton Byre?

2.5km from Durisdeer village, off the A702 above Thornhill — about 0.8 hours at a steady walking pace. Start in Durisdeer at the church square and follow the gated lane and hill track up the glen — about 2.

Does Kettleton Byre have a fireplace?

Yes — Kettleton Byre has a working fireplace. Bring your own firewood; natural wood at most Scottish bothies is scarce, and burning bothy furniture or boundary posts is not acceptable.

How many people does Kettleton Byre 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 Kettleton Byre?

The Kettleton Burn runs below the bothy — it once supplied Thornhill's drinking water. Treat before drinking.

When can I visit Kettleton Byre?

Best months: May, June, July, August. During the stalking season (August-October), contact the estate before visiting.

How far is the walk into Kettleton Byre?

2.5km from Durisdeer village, off the A702 above Thornhill — about 0.8 hours at a steady walking pace. Start in Durisdeer at the church square and follow the gated lane and hill track up the glen — about 2.

Does Kettleton Byre have a fireplace?

Yes — Kettleton Byre has a working fireplace. Bring your own firewood; natural wood at most Scottish bothies is scarce, and burning bothy furniture or boundary posts is not acceptable.

How many people does Kettleton Byre 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 Kettleton Byre?

The Kettleton Burn runs below the bothy — it once supplied Thornhill's drinking water. Treat before drinking.

When can I visit Kettleton Byre?

Best months: May, June, July, August. During the stalking season (August-October), contact the estate before visiting.

Bothy

Kettleton Byre

A former cattle byre in a grassy side glen of the Lowther Hills above the postcard village of Durisdeer. The story is in the name and the water: the cottage at Blackhill Moss was inhabited until the Kettleton Burn became Thornhill's water supply — sewage being a problem, the water board built a new cottage by the byre and moved the family. MBA volunteers renovated the byre in 1984 and a later refurbishment added a new roof and stove. It is one of the shortest bothy walk-ins in Scotland.

Quick facts

Walk-in: 2.5 km· 0.8 hrs
Sleeps: 4
Altitude: 330m
Condition: Good condition
Grid ref: NS912021
Maintained by: Mountain Bothies Association
Fireplace: Yes
Water: The Kettleton Burn runs below the bothy — it once supplied Thornhill's drinking water. Treat before drinking.
Dogs: Dogs on lead on approachLivestock on approach

Our take

Kettleton Byre is the bothy to take someone who has never done this before: 45 minutes from a beautiful village, a stove, and two Donalds from the door before lunch. The flip side of farm hospitality is farm reality — lambing pens, quad bikes, autumn shooting — so read the season before you go and keep the dog on a lead the whole way. Sunday visits dodge the guns entirely.

Getting there

Start in Durisdeer at the church square and follow the gated lane and hill track up the glen — about 2.5km and 45 minutes, a scenic little walk passing ruined dwellings where the Glenimp and Glenaggart burns meet. This is a working hill sheep farm on Queensberry Estate: dogs under close control at all times, and the pens beside the bothy are in active use during lambing, April to mid-May.

Nearest parking: Durisdeer village, off the A702 above Thornhill

No approach GPX yet

Walked this approach? Share your track to help other bothy-goers.

Submit your GPX

Stalking season / estate access

Queensberry Estate hill sheep farm. Lambing pens by the bothy are in use April to mid-May; estate partridge shooting runs 1 September to mid-January on the Durisdeer approach (no shooting on Sundays). Dogs under close control at all times.

What to expect inside

Small and simple — a wood-burning stove and space for four (six at a real squeeze). The refurbishment left it a thoroughly dry, sound shelter, and visitors often find cut wood left by the estate or previous guests. Quad bikes work the glen daily in lambing season; you are a guest on a farm here and it shows, in a good way.

Nearby hills

When to visit

Estate partridge shooting runs from 1 September to mid-January across the Durisdeer approach — likely daily activity Monday to Saturday, none on Sundays; Buccleuch Estates asks for cooperation in season. Lambing fills the glen in April and early May. The track walk-in stays feasible in most winter conditions, which makes this a strong cold-season choice.

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.

Submit report

Daylight Today

19h 15mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:35
Sunset: 21:54
Civil dawn: 03:37
Civil dusk: 22:52

NOAA Solar Calculator · 10 June 2026

Share your experience

Stayed at Kettleton Byre? Help other walkers plan their visit.

Submit a photo Write a trip report

Kettleton Byre — common questions

How far is the walk into Kettleton Byre?: 2.5km from Durisdeer village, off the A702 above Thornhill — about 0.8 hours at a steady walking pace. Start in Durisdeer at the church square and follow the gated lane and hill track up the glen — about 2.
Does Kettleton Byre have a fireplace?: Yes — Kettleton Byre has a working fireplace. Bring your own firewood; natural wood at most Scottish bothies is scarce, and burning bothy furniture or boundary posts is not acceptable.
How many people does Kettleton Byre 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 Kettleton Byre?: The Kettleton Burn runs below the bothy — it once supplied Thornhill's drinking water. Treat before drinking.
When can I visit Kettleton Byre?: Best months: May, June, July, August. 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.