story.
When my wife was young, her parents and their friends would take their kids camping for two weeks every summer. They would go on adventures, build dens and play outside all day, no matter the weather. The group would befriend other families from around the campsite, and before long the kids had a gang.
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The gang was open for anyone to join. They played by a simple set of rules: be good, be tough, and we'll meet again next summer. Parents would meet a bruised knee or skint elbow with "but you're a rufty tufty!", which immediately saw off any tears.
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The Rufty Tufty Club was born.
For some people, bothies represent escape. Whether it’s escaping everyday stress to be in nature, or escaping a storm to find shelter, these unique buildings let users escape to a simple existence - primitive and self-sufficient.
The primary function of a bothy is free and basic shelter to anyone who needs it, and many are found in some of the most remote locations one could imagine. They are used as stopping points or destinations for hikers; they are called upon as refuge in emergency rescue situations; and they can be the site of work parties dedicated to their maintenance. The latter is how I was introduced, and its been a fascination of mine ever since.
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For me there has always been a connection between bothy culture and the spirit of the rufty tufty.
Aside from a much needed break from life’s noise, these humble buildings also embody a wonderful culture of people. Bothy culture is hard to describe but easy to recognise. It is built on the shared appreciation for the wild, rugged and beautiful landscapes that the bothies sit within. Its people are warm, welcoming and respectful, always ready to share space, resources and stories.
Even strangers don’t stay strangers for very long. Sooner or later, you'll find yourself in the gang.
This little project began as a yearning for that sense of escape during lockdown - a feeling shared by many who have struggled through the last few years. In our own way we've all had to be a Rufty Tufty.
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I wanted to capture some of that magic I missed so dearly; and the culture of escaping and sharing, of being in it together, against the elements. I’ve tried to do this in the only way I know how: by drawing and photographing the places that are home to the most amazing culture, where anyone can be a Rufty Tufty.
I hope I’ve done these simple but beautiful places justice. I like to think that maybe someone will see this and recall fond memories of times they enjoyed an escape.