Can you sleep overnight in the Hutchison Memorial Hut?

Yes, you can stay overnight for free. The bothy is maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association and is available for short stays on a first-come, first-served basis—just be prepared to share the space if others arrive.

How long does it take to walk to Hutchison Memorial Hut?

It's roughly 13 kilometres one way from the Linn of Dee car park, following the track through Glen Derry and then climbing into Coire Etchachan. This isn't a casual stroll—it requires proper navigation skills and you need to be prepared for serious mountain conditions.

Who was the Hutchison Memorial Hut built for?

It was built in 1954 by friends of Dr Arthur Hutchison, an Aberdeen-born geologist and climber who died in a climbing accident in Wales in 1949. They wanted to create a practical memorial that could actually help other hillwalkers rather than just a static monument.

Home for the Night

Hutchison Memorial Hut: When Friends Built a Bothy for a Climber Who Never Came Home

The stone shelter in Coire Etchachan was built in 1954 in memory of Dr Arthur Gilbertson Hutchison, an Aberdeen-born geologist who died in a climbing accident in Wales in 1949. His friends chose a practical memorial in the Cairngorm hills he had known—not a bench, plaque or monument that nobody could shelter inside.

6 September 20268 min read