Have you heard about Munro bagging? This is the pursuit of “bagging” or “summitting” the 282 Scottish mountains with a peak of at least 3000ft.
The first list of Munros was created by Sir Hugh Munro. He was the founder of the Scottish Mountaineering Club in 1889 and his list of 3,000ft mountains was published in the sixth issue of the Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal in 1891.
Since then, Munro bagging has become something of an outdoors hobby in Scotland. Several thousand people have compleated (this is the right spelling!) a full round of the 282 Munros and a few others have gone on to walk multiple rounds.
One of the great joys of Munro bagging is that people travel far and wide to visit the 282 Munros. While some Munros are centrally placed and fairly easy to bag others are remote and require meticulous planning and favourable weather conditions.
But a Munro does give a great focus for a day out or for a Scottish holiday pursuit. In 2016, why not pledge to walk a Munro or two?
10 of the easiest Munros
Munro bagging does require experience of navigating by map and compass. It is also important that you pay heed to the fickle Scottish weather. Make sure you are dressed for the conditions and take spare clothing and equipment with you.
However, some Munros are far easier to summit than others. This could be because they start well above sea level or because they have a path to the top. Here are 10 of the best.
Schiehallion, Perth & Kinross. See route
Mount Keen, Grampian Mountains. See route
Beinn Ghlas, Perthshire. See route
Mayar and Driesh, Glen Clova, Angus. See route
Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park. See route
The Cairnwell, near Braemar. See route details
Ben Chonzie, near Comrie, Perth & Kinross. See route
Cairn Gorm summit cairns. Pic credit: Dale Harvey
Cairn Gorm, Cairngorm National Park. See route
River Hope and Ben Hope. Pic credit: Paul Wordingham
Ben Hope, Sutherland. See route.