A bothy is a basic shelter, usually left unlocked and available for anyone to use free of charge. It was also a term for basic accommodation, usually for gardeners or other workers on an estate.

A bothy is a building of no more than two storeys which does not have any form of electricity, piped fuel supply, and piped water supply, It is 100 metres or more from the nearest public road and is 100 metres or more from the nearest habitable building. Any such building is exempt from council tax and from legislation requiring registration for letting purposes.