Comments on: Carn ?? Mhaim and the Wondrous Eco-Friendly Toilet

By: McEff

McEff — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 09:57:43 +0000

Hi Judith. Thanks very much for that extra information regarding the bothy toilet. I’m glad it’s not just me who seems to be fascinated by the subject.
Cheers, Alen

By: Judith

Judith — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:11:33 +0000

Hi Alen, interesting read. I had the pleasure of seeing the workings of the Corrour Bothy toilet in May 2011. Two MBA guys were changing the bag and they let me go underneath and see how it all works. I’m sure they said that the full, almost-drained bags were taken to Marr Lodge where they were hung for a little longer . . . but I can’t remember what they said happened to them then. They’re certainly not buried in the vicinity of the bothy. Like you, I was appalled to see the two seats, until I realised that they weren’t for simultaneous use! I also believe that the toilet was installed as there was a risk of the bothy being closed down as there was rather a lot of poo in the surrounding area.

By: McEff

McEff — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 11:41:33 +0000

Ha ha. Thanks Mark. Have a great holiday. It’s a wonderful part of the country.
Cheers, Alen

By: markswalkingblog

markswalkingblog — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 16:53:28 +0000

Alen,playing catch up and furiously reading (and perhaps posting some new stuff) all my subscribed blogs on a family holiday on the tip of Cornwall. Great post. I like the caving story ! After our walk along the S.West Coastal path I am going to luxuriant in the cam psite’s toilet facilities – not a wooden plank with a hole in it in sight :) Expect more comments on your blog once I have attended to my ablutions.

By: McEff

McEff — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:39:14 +0000

Hi Mark. My favourite simple campsite is at Newtonmore, down by the river. A fiver a night the last time I was there. I’ve never wild camped at Derry Lodge, but you’re right, it is an ideal place.
Everywhere has a claim to fame and Silverdale appears to be no exception. No wonder the Morecambe Bay shrimps are so plump. I’ve been through Silverdale hundreds of times on the train but never actually visited the place. I keep meaning to go because my friend’s parents, Tom and Eileen Frith, live there and I’ve been telling him I’ll drop in for donkey’s years. I’ll get there one day.
Cheers, Alen

By: beatingthebounds

beatingthebounds — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 23:56:45 +0000

Simple campsites still exist – but they tend to be nearly as exorbitantly priced as the flash ones. Love the Derry Lodge area – plenty of scope for a wild camp or bothy overnight if you’re after the simple life.
Here in Silverdale we have no sewers (I believe the largest UK mainland community without). We all have a septic tank in our gardens, which works on a very similar principle to what you describe. Generally works really well. Bit distressing though when it doesn’t. It’s probably no bad thing however to be reminded now again about the waste we all produce!

By: McEff

McEff — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 18:11:48 +0000

Hi John. It’s hard work but I manage to keep myself amused. I like the Cairngorms and Braemar. Great chip shop.
All the best, Alen

By: jcmurray1

jcmurray1 — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 18:08:00 +0000

Great entertainment Alen, a good story well told and a really good laugh! Sounds like you’re enjoying your time up here in the wilds so keep up the good work……..J

By: McEff

McEff — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 15:50:47 +0000

Glad you liked that one, David. I can’t remember which book it was so I was thinking of ordering his complete works off Amazon. I like the story about the pebble.
Yes, campsites. I’ve just stayed on one on the west of the Cairngorms that charged ??17.50 a night for me, a small tent and a small car. That is absolutely scandalous. The toilets were a palace of light and space, though, with air scented with the fragrance of summer flowers and pine woods. I shall be reporting on it in due course.
What was wrong with those rough fields that had standpipes and a tin shed with a six-gallon oil drum inside that had a seat on? Take me back . . .
Cheers, Alen

By: David

David — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 14:58:46 +0000

Ha ha – a great read and I love that story about Jim Alen. I have got Jim’s book “The Cave Explorers” and it is a cracking read. One of his funniest stories is where his light goes out part way down a shaft he is down climbing and he is left clinging on for grim death. Eventually over many minutes he manages to work a small pebble out of a crack and listening carefully drops it to see how far he has to go to get to the bottom. Turns out he was hanging on for grim death six inches above the ground.

I like the idea of much more environmentally friendly campsites and would choose them, especially if they were open year round. The only trouble is in places like Braemar you have no choice as well located sites close to the hills are few and far between. The other thing that bothers me nowadays is the prices some sites now charge because they are blinged up in the toilet department. To address these problems I ended building a campervan and when in Scotland either park up somewhere quiet for a few days, or use the increasing number of basic 5 van sites that simply offer an emptying point for the toilet.

By: McEff

McEff — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:22:13 +0000

Hi Laura. Nice to hear from you. Thanks for that.
Cheers, Alen

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:14:21 +0000

Fantastic post! A really good read and especially as this is in my neck of the woods. Looking forward to more …………..