What is a Scottish Munro?
The Scottish Munros are the 282 Scottish mountains with a summit of more than 3000ft (914.4m). In 1891 Sir Hugh Munro (an original member of the Scottish Mountaineering Club) wrote an article for their journal with a definitive list of all the mountains in Scotland over 3,000 feet. It was ultimately the goal of Sir Hugh Munro to climb all of the Scottish Munros on his list, but at the time of his death, at 63 years old in 1919, he was three short.
How many Scottish Munros are there?
The original list had 283 summits on it but this was controversially revised in 1997 to 282 summits.
What is the height of a munro?
A Scottish Munro is a mountain, in Scotland, with a summit of over 3000ft or 914.4m.
What is Munro Bagging?
If you walk, hike or climb to the summit of a Munro you have ‘bagged’ it. If you complete all the Munros you have completed a ‘Munro Round’ and you can be considered a Munroist. People ‘bag’ Munros to explore the most scenic parts of Scotland, from Skye to the eastern Cairngorms and from Sutherland down to Loch Lomond. Once you complete all the Munros you can move on to the smaller hills like Corbetts or Grahams.
Is Ben Nevis the hardest Munro to climb?
Ben Nevis, near Fort William, is the highest Scottish Munro at 4,413 ft (1345m) but it is definately not the hardest Munro. Most walkers and hikers follow the “tourist” path to the top. It’s a relatively straightforward walk, but not to be underestimated as the weather is fickle and ground conditions can be tretcherous. Below is a picture of me on the summit of Ben Nevis a few years ago after we climbed up one of its famous gullies.
What is the record for climbing all the Scottish Munros?
In 2023 Jamie Aarons has set a new record for the fastest self-propelled Munro round. The Scotland-based ultra runner climbed 459,000 ft, the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest 16 times and ran, cycled and kayaked between each of the Munros, covering a total of around 932 miles (1,500km) on foot and about the same distance by bike. She beat Donnie Campbell’s 2020 time of 31 days 23 hours 2 minutes, finishing in a time of 31 days, 10 hours and 27 minutes.
Which is the easiest Scottish Munro to climb?
Mount Keen is Scotland’s most easterly Munro and reputedly one of the easiest mountain to climb as it has a good path to the top. The easiest and quickest route is to start from Glen Esk.
Which Munro is nearest to Inverness?
Ben Wyvis is the nearest Munro to Inverness. Ben Wyvis makes a popular hill walk from Inverness. It is an isolated peak and the whaleback mountain ridge commands is clearly visible from Inverness. You might share your hike with a range of mountain birds – raven, golden eagle ptarmigan or in the summer, dotterel. Clan Munro chiefs held land on Ben Wyvis, on condition of presenting the king with a snowball at midsummer. In those days snow patches in the north-facing coires rarely melted.
Which Munro is the most ascended?
Alongside the highest peak Ben Nevis, Ben Lomond is the most ascended Munro. It is very accessible from Glasgow and is very popular with first-time Munro-baggers. Together with Mount Keen it is one of the easier Munros to climb.
Which are the hardest Munros to climb?
The ‘Inaccessible Pinnacle‘ on Skye, with its intimidating fin of basalt rock is regarded as the hardest Munro to attain and the most difficult major peak in the British Isles. Nearby Sgurr Mhic Choinnich is less than 1km away, on route some challenging Grade 2 scrambling and route finding await. Both of these peaks form part of the Black Cuillin ridge which stretches almost seven miles, with 11 Munro summits of jagged peaks and steep drop offs.
The two pictures below look a bit grainy these days, but show a day in 1997 when I completed a traverse of the Black Cuillin ridge. The first is the steep scramble up the Inaccessible Pinnacle and the second is the ‘path’, actually a scramble, along Collie’s Ledge.
Which is the most northerly Munro?
Ben Hope is most northerly Munro at 3041ft (927 m). Located in Sutherland it’s has panoramic vistas which offer views as far away as the Orkney Islands on clear days. This relatively straightforward hike starts near Loch Eribol in Tongue.
Which is the most southlery Munro?
Ben Lomond is the most southlery Munro. On the shores of Loch Lomond you can enjoy magnificent vistas of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs from Ben Lomonds summit.
About Cory
I have been climbing Munros and working as an International Mountain Guide for over 30 years. Although not the highest mountains in the world, the Scottish Munros can be some of the most challenging. The weather can change suddenly adn its not uncommon to expreince four season in ond day on a Munro! Check out more about Cory here.