Twenty Questions: Round 8

Q1: Animal , Vegetable or Mineral?
A1: Mineral

Goodluck! 

35 responses total.

Q2: Is it man-made?

A2: Yes.

Q3: Does it use electricity?

A3: Well it 'can' have electricity fitted. But generally they don't. 
First clue: usually, these are too far away from any electricity supply to
use any. 

Q4: Is it a kind of vehicle?

A4: No. It is very much stationary. :)

Q5: Is it a structure?

A5: yes. 

Q6: Is this structure used for outdoor recreation?

A6: Yes, this structure would be - Very much OutDoors, and would help those
pursuing some kinds of outdoor recreaction- for sure.
Second clue: it would not be directly used in any form of outdoor recreation
though.

Q7: Is it a log cabin?

A8: No  It is not specifically a log cabin, but in theory this type of
structure could be made from logs, and so would be a log cabin, but more
usually they are made out of stone, in the areas they are situated or built,
though i am sure many are wooden and even maybe one or two made from logs.
(a few small clues there) You are heading in the right direction, and
geography aswell as functionality will win this game (and some more ... :)
)

Q8: Is it a barn?

Q9: No! :) Although some of these are not much more than barns (some are
positively palacial nowdays.
Clue the third: While this type of structure is common in many countries, in
these types of geographicl, the ones i have set you the task of finding are
mostly found in Scotland (and Wales, some in Ireland) and they are named after
the local language of one of these countries. 

Q10: Is the structure build into the earth (berm or otherwise)?

A10: No! 

mijk's hints are fascinating, but maybe more difficult to figure out than our
actual target.

Also, note that the question and answer numbering has gotten off. By my count,
posts #15 and #16 were question and answer 9.

Q10: Is it a castle?

A10: No! 
My appologies for messing up the Question/Answer sequence there. Thanks for
getting us back on track papa. 

Q11: Does it have 4 walls?

A11: Yes! (i havn't seen any that don't)

Recapping what we know.

From the Q&A:
- classified as mineral
- a man-made, four-walled structure usually made of stone, though
  construction from wood, even logs, is possible
- stationary and not a vehicle
- generally doesn't use electricity, but can be fitted for electricity
- outdoor structure
- helpful to those pursuing some kinds of outdoor recreation
- not build into the earth
- not a log cabin, barn, or castle

Additional hints:
- usually located far away from sources of electricity
- direct purpose is not recreation
- geography and functionality are keys
- some of these are not much more than barns while some recent examples
  are palatial
- primarily found in Scotland as well as Wales and Ireland, the type of
  structure is common in many countries
- named after a local language in Scotland, Wales or Ireland

The name of these structures is a word from one of the local langauges (i.e
not English) of Scotland/Ireland, maybe Wales.
These 'types' of structure are found in many countries, in similar
geogrpahical locations normally, but under another (more common probably)
name.

It seems like those last two hints should give it away, but I am racking my
brain.

Outdoor stone structures common to Scotland, Wales, and Ireland not 
already guessed: cairns, towers, standing stones, monasteries, churches, 
walls, houses, crofts, ... (all of these seem to me to violate one or 
more of the other hints)

Local languages of Scotland, Wales, or Ireland: Scots, Gaelic, Welsh, 
Irish, Goidelic, Brythonic, Shelta (that's a new one to me)

(All of the above information thanks to Wikipedia.)

I think this is a stretch, but just to eliminate the possibility ...

Q12: Is it a shelter?

A12: Yes they are a type of shelter.

I'm not coming up with anything, even with Google :) ... 
Q13: Did this structure originate in the areas mentioned
(Scotland,Ireland,Wales)?

They are mainly in Scotland (then Wales) and similar structures aboud the
world over, but these are a part of the local culture. (aboud = abound). Hope
that helps.

A13: yes and no ( i'm sorry about that :/ )
A clue: A common enough type of structure, which varies widely, but is used
in the same manner and for the same purpose in each location. The location
is nearly always well off the beaten track, and more  often than not in
mountainous areas (wilderness).

I have a wild guess, but I'm going to hold off til another question is asked
 :)

Q14: Is it a bothy?

(A new word I discovered googling "scotland wilderness shelter" that seems
to match all the clues so far.)

LOL! In 14 questions ( with a little help ;) ) 
Yes, it is a bothy! Well Done papa!
Now have a look here, to see some bothys in some very nice settings:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39205436

Here's another article on bothies:
http://www.travelmag.com/articles/shelters-in-the-wilderness/

They sound like an extremely cool benefit for serious hikers.

Very awesome! Fascinating concept!

Nice read papa. I like to look at the pictures :) which is why i posted mine.
Never been to Scotland, but would love to one day. 
Yes very facinating concept, isn't it. :) Look cosy with a roaring fire and
a whisky too. :P

And so papa; we eagerly await the next round of twenty questions. 

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