After eight years of great work and nineteen bothy builds across the UK, Bothy Project has made the decision to close Bothy Stores (active 2017-2025). The Craft, Artist and Studio Bothies can be commissioned through Studio IMA.
Initially, Bothy Stores operated as an online shop selling commissioned objects imagined by designers whilst on residency and inspired by the environment and purpose of Bothy Project’s bothies. This concept was conceived by Bothy Project co-founder Bobby Niven and designer-curator Katy West, and realised through the projects Roving Machines & Middlemen (2016) and The Pioneers (2016-17).
In 2017 Bothy Project was awarded charity status and established its trading arm Bothy Stores. This foundational work was led by Bobby Niven with support from David Cook.
Artist Bothy, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop. Image courtesy of Johnny Barrington.
As interest in Bothy Project’s architecture grew, Bothy Stores evolved and developed a family of modest, pre-fabricated bothies that were available for individuals and businesses to purchase. Designed by Bothy Project founders Bobby Niven and Iain MacLeod, the three bothy designs – Artist, Craft and Studio – were pioneering pieces of low-impact architecture designed to enhance the experience of spending time in nature all year round. The Bothies were a modern and refined reinterpretation of vernacular buildings found throughout the British countryside, and were built using sustainable, innovative materials and streamlined building processes.
The first bothy developed was the Artist Bothy, a 20m2 multipurpose, self-contained cabin, based on the architectural design of Bothy Project’s Inshriach Bothy. The Artist Bothy was launched at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop in 2018. In 2020, the Artist Bothy was joined by the smaller Craft Bothy (15m2) and larger Studio Bothy (25m2).
Craft Bothy, RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024.
Between 2017-2025, Bothy Stores successfully built and installed nineteen bothies in a range of private and hospitality settings across the UK – from Cornwall to Fair Isle, Loch Fyne to North Berwick. The integrity and quality of the bothies, gained Bothy Stores wide recognition, and the opportunity to work in spectacular locations and with exceptional clients. Through this work, Bothy Stores was able to donate profit to Bothy Project, providing an innovative and autonomous funding model that helped Bothy Project to realise its mission to provide creative residencies. We’re incredibly proud of this legacy and deeply grateful to everyone who was part of Bothy Stores’ journey.
Although Bothy Stores has closed, the Craft, Artist and Studio Bothies can be commissioned through Studio IMA, Iain MacLeod’s architectural practice.
Artist Bothy, Gleneagles. Image courtesy of Graham Niven.
Bothy Stores would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of its staff, build team, board members and supporters, who include:
Bothy Stores concept: Bobby Niven, Katy West
Bothy design: Iain MacLeod, Bobby Niven
Bothy Stores board: David Cook, Bobby Niven, Lynn Wilson, Lesley Young
Bothy Stores staff: Evie Edwards, Kristi Vana
Bothy Build team: Caleb Driver, Graeme Dunsire, Graeme Fisher, Daniel Haig, Steven Houston, Bobby Niven, Graham Niven, Oran Wishart
Brand identity, design & PR: A Visual Agency, Alyn Griffiths, David Kelly Design Office, Owen O’Leary
Manufacturers and suppliers: Anglepoise, BlokBuild, Bonk & Co, Charnwood Stoves, Cladco, Dyce Carriers, Mozolowski & Murray, Russwood
Bothy supporters: Susanna Beaumont
Foundational work to establish Bothy Project as a charity and Bothy Stores as its trading arm was funded by Scottish Enterprise, Social Investment Scotland and Business Gateway.