The Carbeth Hut Community

Situated approximately half-way between Glasgow and Drymen on the A809, an old turnpike road, you'll find an ancient inn. At one time called the Halfway House and now the Carbeth Inn it has served the needs of travellers for well over 200 years. Sir Walter Scott had the character of Baillie Nicol Jarvie in his 1817 novel Rob Roy describe it as a 'most miserable alehouse'. Things have obviously improved since then and for years it has provided a warm welcome to climbers, bikers, walkers and the nearby community of Carbeth hutters.

The Carbeth hut community started after World War One, when the owner of the Carbeth Estate let three ex-servicemen found a holiday fellowship camp on his land. At first the visitors lived under canvas but during the depression years unemployed Glaswegians, seeking an escape into the countryside, started to erect more permanent dwellings. These ingenious and often ramshackle affairs were constructed from any materials that were available free of charge or cheap. Conditions were spartan but met the needs of the people and were probably as good as they had at home. During the summers the area round the Carbeth Inn was alive with activity as whole families decamped to the countryside for their holidays.

The land was leased from estate owner, Barnes-Graham, at a peppercorn rent because of his desire to help people escape from what he saw as a squalid and depressing life in the crowded city. They became a tight-knit community with organised games and activities, they even built their own open-air swimming pool, complete with lifebelts and diving boards. To get to Carbeth the hutters took the train to Milngavie and then took to a path which became known as the Khyber Pass. Coming from the Clydebank area the hutters just hoofed it over the Kilpatrick Hills.

Today the swimming pool, simply a dammed stream, is silted up. Fashions and lifestyles have changed but Carbeth still has around 200 huts and an active community. However it is doubtful if it can be maintained for much longer. A massive increase in the rents led to a rent strike by many of the hutters and court action was initiated to evict them. Against a background of recriminations and accusations, not to mention unsolved arson attacks on huts belonging to members of their association, the Carbeth community are determined to preserve their unique foothold in the countryside. They are vigorously campaigning for public support and petitioning the Scottish Parliament in the hope that legislation can be passed to preserve this unique piece of Scottish social history and heritage.

While you're there

A visit to Mugdock Country Park is a great day out for families. A mere 3 miles (4.8km) from Carbeth it can be accessed by car or as an additional 6-mile (9.7km) round walking trip. In the visitor centre an audio visual theatre shows a selection of nature videos throughout the day at weekends. There are ranger-led activities, walking and orienteering trails and horse riding can be arranged at a local stable.

Where to eat and drink

Besides being the only option within any distance the Carbeth Inn is the finest hostelry in this part of Scotland. Retaining its old world ambience, it continues to offer an amazingly varied menu which contains everything from home-made soup, toasties and filled rolls to Scottish favourites like haggis, neeps and tatties and an all day breakfast which would keep a walker satisfied for many miles. Walkers are very welcome along with children and dogs.

What to look for

If you have the time, and the inclination, look out for a road branching to the left after the first few huts in Point 5. Having an OS map will help here. This is the road that leads uphill, through a further group of huts, to give access to the top of Carbeth Hill. From this vantage point you will have a grand overview of the entire area and the extent of the hutters encampment.