A Guide to Munros in Scotland

Munros are mountains in Scotland over 3,000 feet (914.4 metres) in height. They can be found in the Scottish Highlands as well as the Western Isles and the central belt, and climbing them (aka Munro bagging) is an ongoing challenge for thousands of hill walkers each year.

Discover the best Munros to bag in Scotland, where they are, and information about Munro bagging in this complete guide, which includes maps and useful resources to make your Scottish mountain adventure an experience you’ll never forget.

How Many Munros Are There in Scotland?

A Munro is defined as a mountain in Scotland that is over 3,000 feet (914.4 metres) in height. There are several categories used to describe Scottish mountains, but it’s the tallest of them that has spawned an entire pastime in Scotland.

Before 1891, there was a lot of uncertainty about the number of Scotland’s tallest peaks, and estimates of how many were over 3,000 feet ranged from 31 to 236. It was obvious that someone would have to accurately survey each one, so the founding member of the Scottish Mountaineering Club, Sir Hugh Munro, took on the monumental task of climbing and classifying them.

Munro published his findings in the Scottish Mountaineering Club journal in 1891 with a set of tables that detailed 538 summits over 3,000 feet. Of these, 282 were classified as separate mountains, and it’s these that we refer to today as ‘Munros’. If you’re wondering what happened to the other 256 summits, they’re actually classified as Munro Tops, which is a peak that has no prominence over others nearby.

There are also gradings for mountains under 3,000 feet, all of which were surveyed and published through the Scottish Mountaineering Club. These are:

• Corbett: Scottish mountains between 2,500 and 3,000 feet with a drop of 500 feet on all sides.
• Graham: Scottish mountains between 2,000 and 2,500 feet with a drop of 150 feet on all sides.
• Donald: Scottish mountain with a height up to 2,000 feet with a drop of 100 feet on all sides.
• Marilyn: Any mountain in Scotland with a drop of at least 150 feet on all sides.

With the advent of more accurate surveying techniques, some of the original Munros were downgraded to Corbetts, while some Corbetts were upgraded to Munros, but the number coincidentally still totals 282, just as it did 130 years ago.

Climbing Scotland’s Munros is an extremely popular leisure activity, and it’s even more popular today than it was when Hugh Munro published his official list. This is in part thanks to the efforts of groups like the John Muir Trust, which have created superb footpaths on many of Scotland’s most-walked mountains.

What Is Munro Bagging?

After the official list of Munros was published a new outdoor activity quickly gained popularity with Scotland’s mountaineers and hillwalkers which took the name ‘Munro bagging’. It’s an activity that’s challenging, to say the least, but it’s an incredibly rewarding experience that’s also very addictive once you get into it.

Munro bagging is basically where an individual climbs each one of Scotland’s 282 Munros to their summit, with each completion called a ’round’ and the individual that made the achievement called a ‘compleationist’.

That’s not a typo by the way, the Scottish Mountaineering Club still uses the spelling from the days of Hugh Munro.

So how long does it take to bag all the Munros in Scotland? Well, to date, there are more than 6,700 completionists, and each year, another 200+ add their names to the official register. Some people spend their whole lives trying to get to that 282nd Munro, while others attempt to finish a round in the fastest time possible (currently a jaw-dropping 32 days).

The average time to complete a round is around 20 years, but that hasn’t stopped some individuals from repeating the climb up all 282 Munros multiple times over.

The achievements of these Munroists (yes, you can officially call yourself a ‘Munroist’ after finishing your first round) are inspiring, to say the least, and they include the youngest, who finished his first round at just 9 years old, and the current record holder, who has an incredible 16 rounds under his belt.

If you’ve decided you want to go it alone, you have two options: go on your own at your own pace or join a mountain climbing group.

If you decide to go it alone, you must research each mountain to determine its difficulty level, but if you start off with the ‘easier’ Munros listed further down this page, you should be able to climb them without much planning at all. When I recently climbed Schiehallion for example, I found myself at the top with a family with two 8-year-olds, a couple of pensioners, and a couple who’d brought their tiny Jack Russell along for the walk.

On the other hand, some of the more difficult Munros are extremely challenging and shouldn’t be attempted by anyone inexperienced in hill walking or climbing. A prime example of this is the ‘Inaccessible Pinnacle, otherwise known as the ‘In Pinn, on the Isle of Skye.

This large blade of basalt rock is widely regarded as the most difficult peak in Britain, but if you want to stake your place in history as a completionist, you have no option but to climb it.

Viewed side-on, the pinnacle takes the shape of a shark fin with sheer sides that offer little in the way of access. If getting up there looks difficult, getting down is even worse, as you’ll have to abseil, which is why securing the help of a professional guide is pretty much a necessity.

Of course, you don’t have to climb every single Munro and if you’re anything like me you’ll have an amazing time just reaching the summit when and wherever you can. You’ll get to see places of extraordinary beauty that you would never otherwise see, you’ll have unforgettable encounters with wildlife, and you’ll get immense personal satisfaction from pushing yourself harder than you ever thought you were capable of.

Where Are the Munros in Scotland?

The majority of Scotland’s Munros are located in the Scottish Highlands, a mountainous region that lies west of the Highland Boundary Fault. This fault line extends from the Isle of Arran on the west coast up towards Stonehaven on the east before doubling back towards Inverness, with everything lying to the west known as the Highlands and everything to the south called the Lowlands.

A picture speaks a thousand words, so here’s a little diagram:

The Highland landscape is one of the most diverse on the planet as a result of the enormous geological activity this fault line has caused and the deep scores that glaciers carved through Scotland during the last ice age.

A truly stunning coastline that rivals Norway’s fjords borders vast freshwater lochs, and thick forests are set amongst monumental mountain ranges that stretch in every direction as far as the eye can see.

This landscape is the location for the majority of Scotland’s mountains, and while there are a few on the west coast islands and the central belt, if you’re trying to decide where to bag your first Munro, the Highlands should be your first port of call.

All Munros in Scotland

CLICK HERE to see a list of all 282 Munros in Scotland, the region they’re located in and their heights.

Mountain	Region	Altitude
A’ Bhuidheanach Bheag	Cairngorms	936m
A’ Chailleach	Ullapool	997m
A’ Chailleach (Monadhliath)	Cairngorms	930m
A’ Chralaig	Kintail	1120m
A’ Ghlas-bheinn	Kintail	918m
A’ Mhaighdean	Ullapool	967m
A’ Mharconaich	Cairngorms	975m
Am Basteir	Islands	934m
Am Bodach	Fort William	1032m
Am Faochagach	Ullapool	954m
An Caisteal	Loch Lomond	995m
An Coileachan	Ullapool	923m
An Gearanach	Fort William	982m
An Riabhachan	Loch Ness	1129m
An Sgarsoch	Cairngorms	1006m
An Socach (Affric)	Loch Ness	921m
An Socach (Braemar)	Cairngorms	944m
An Socach (Mullardoch)	Loch Ness	1069m
An Stuc	Perthshire	1118m
Aonach Air Chrith	Kintail	1021m
Aonach Beag (Alder)	Cairngorms	1116m
Aonach Beag (Nevis Range)	Fort William	1234m
Aonach Meadhoin	Kintail	1001m
Aonach Mor	Fort William	1221m
Beinn a’Bhuird	Cairngorms	1197m
Beinn a’Chaorainn (Cairngorms)	Cairngorms	1082m
Beinn a’Chaorainn (Glen Spean)	Fort William	1050m
Beinn a’Chlachair	Fort William	1087m
Beinn a’Chleibh	Argyll	916m
Beinn a’Chochuill	Argyll	980m
Beinn a’Chreachain	Argyll	1081m
Beinn a’Chroin	Loch Lomond	942m
Beinn Achaladair	Argyll	1038m
Beinn an Dothaidh	Argyll	1004m
Beinn Bheoil	Cairngorms	1019m
Beinn Bhreac	Cairngorms	931m
Beinn Bhrotain	Cairngorms	1157m
Beinn Bhuidhe	Argyll	948m
Beinn Chabhair	Loch Lomond	933m
Beinn Dearg (Blair Atholl)	Perthshire	1008m
Beinn Dearg (Ullapool)	Ullapool	1084m
Beinn Dorain	Argyll	1076m
Beinn Dubhchraig	Argyll	978m
Beinn Eibhinn	Cairngorms	1102m
Beinn Eunaich	Argyll	989m
Beinn Fhada	Kintail	1032m
Beinn Fhionnlaidh	Argyll	959m
Beinn Fhionnlaidh (Carn Eige)	Loch Ness	1005m
Beinn Ghlas	Perthshire	1103m
Beinn Heasgarnich	Perthshire	1078m
Beinn Ime	Loch Lomond	1011m
Beinn Iutharn Mhor	Cairngorms	1045m
Beinn Liath Mhor	Torridon	926m
Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich	Ullapool	954m
Beinn Mhanach	Argyll	953m
Beinn Mheadhoin	Cairngorms	1182m
Beinn na Lap	Fort William	937m
Beinn nan Aighenan	Fort William	960m
Beinn Narnain	Loch Lomond	926m
Beinn Sgritheall	Kintail	974m
Beinn Sgulaird	Argyll	937m
Beinn Tarsuinn	Ullapool	937m
Beinn Teallach	Fort William	915m
Beinn Tulaichean	Loch Lomond	946m
Beinn Udlamain	Cairngorms	1010m
Ben Alder	Cairngorms	1148m
Ben Avon	Cairngorms	1171m
Ben Challum	Argyll	1025m
Ben Chonzie	Perthshire	931m
Ben Cruachan	Argyll	1126m
Ben Hope	Sutherland	927m
Ben Klibreck	Sutherland	961m
Ben Lawers	Perthshire	1214m
Ben Lomond	Loch Lomond	974m
Ben Lui	Argyll	1130m
Ben Macdui	Cairngorms	1309m
Ben More	Loch Lomond	1174m
Ben More (Mull)	Islands	966m
Ben More Assynt	Ullapool	998m
Ben Nevis	Fort William	1345m
Ben Oss	Argyll	1029m
Ben Starav	Fort William	1078m
Ben Vane	Loch Lomond	915m
Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn)	Perthshire	985m
Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)	Loch Lomond	943m
Ben Wyvis	Loch Ness	1046m
Bidean nam Bian	Fort William	1150m
Bidein a’Choire Sheasgaich	Torridon	945m
Bidein a’Ghlas Thuill (An Teallach)	Ullapool	1062m
Binnein Beag	Fort William	943m
Binnein Mor	Fort William	1130m
Bla Bheinn	Islands	928m
Braeriach	Cairngorms	1296m
Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain	Perthshire	1070m
Broad Cairn	Cairngorms	998m
Bruach na Frithe	Islands	958m
Bynack More	Cairngorms	1090m
Cairn Bannoch	Cairngorms	1012m
Cairn Gorm	Cairngorms	1245m
Cairn of Claise	Cairngorms	1064m
Cairn Toul	Cairngorms	1291m
Carn a’Chlamain	Perthshire	963m
Carn a’Choire Bhoidheach	Cairngorms	1118m
Carn a’Gheoidh	Cairngorms	975m
Carn a’Mhaim	Cairngorms	1037m
Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar)	Cairngorms	994m
Carn an Righ	Perthshire	1029m
Carn an t-Sagairt Mor	Cairngorms	1047m
Carn an Tuirc	Cairngorms	1019m
Carn Aosda	Cairngorms	917m
Carn Bhac	Cairngorms	946m
Carn Dearg (Corrour)	Fort William	941m
Carn Dearg (Loch Pattack)	Cairngorms	1034m
Carn Dearg (Monadhliath)	Cairngorms	945m
Carn Eige	Loch Ness	1183m
Carn Ghluasaid	Kintail	957m
Carn Gorm	Perthshire	1029m
Carn Liath (Beinn a’Ghlo)	Perthshire	975m
Carn Liath (Creag Meagaidh)	Fort William	1006m
Carn Mairg	Perthshire	1042m
Carn Mor Dearg	Fort William	1220m
Carn na Caim	Cairngorms	941m
Carn nan Gabhar	Perthshire	1121m
Carn nan Gobhar (Loch Mullardoch)	Loch Ness	992m
Carn nan Gobhar (Strathfarrar)	Loch Ness	992m
Carn Sgulain	Cairngorms	920m
Chno Dearg	Fort William	1046m
Ciste Dhubh	Kintail	979m
Cona’ Mheall	Ullapool	978m
Conival	Ullapool	987m
Creag a’Mhaim	Kintail	947m
Creag Leacach	Cairngorms	987m
Creag Meagaidh	Fort William	1130m
Creag Mhor (Glen Lochay)	Perthshire	1047m
Creag Mhor (Meall na Aighean)	Perthshire	981m
Creag nan Damh	Kintail	918m
Creag Pitridh	Fort William	924m
Creise	Fort William	1100m
Cruach Ardrain	Loch Lomond	1046m
Derry Cairngorm	Cairngorms	1155m
Driesh	Angus	947m
Druim Shionnach	Kintail	987m
Eididh nan Clach Geala	Ullapool	927m
Fionn Bheinn	Torridon	933m
Gairich	Fort William	919m
Garbh Chioch Mhor	Fort William	1013m
Geal Charn	Fort William	1049m
Geal Charn (Monadhliath)	Cairngorms	926m
Geal-charn (Alder)	Cairngorms	1132m
Geal-charn (Drumochter)	Cairngorms	917m
Glas Bheinn Mhor	Fort William	997m
Glas Maol	Cairngorms	1068m
Glas Tulaichean	Perthshire	1051m
Gleouraich	Fort William	1035m
Gulvain	Fort William	987m
Inaccessible Pinnacle	Islands	986m
Ladhar Bheinn	Fort William	1020m
Lochnagar	Cairngorms	1155m
Luinne Bheinn	Fort William	939m
Lurg Mhor	Torridon	986m
Mam Sodhail	Loch Ness	1181m
Maoile Lunndaidh	Torridon	1007m
Maol Chean-dearg	Torridon	933m
Maol chinn-dearg	Kintail	981m
Mayar	Angus	928m
Meall a’Bhuiridh	Fort William	1108m
Meall a’Choire Leith	Perthshire	926m
Meall a’Chrasgaidh	Ullapool	934m
Meall Buidhe (Glen Lyon)	Perthshire	932m
Meall Buidhe (Knoydart)	Fort William	946m
Meall Chuaich	Cairngorms	951m
Meall Corranaich	Perthshire	1069m
Meall Dearg (Aonach Eagach)	Fort William	953m
Meall Garbh (Ben Lawers)	Perthshire	1118m
Meall Garbh (Carn Mairg)	Perthshire	968m
Meall Ghaordaidh	Perthshire	1039m
Meall Glas	Loch Lomond	959m
Meall Gorm	Ullapool	949m
Meall Greigh	Perthshire	1001m
Meall na Teanga	Fort William	918m
Meall nan Ceapraichean	Ullapool	977m
Meall nan Eun	Fort William	928m
Meall nan Tarmachan	Perthshire	1044m
Monadh Mor	Cairngorms	1113m
Moruisg	Torridon	928m
Mount Keen	Angus	939m
Mullach an Rathain (Liathach)	Torridon	1023m
Mullach Clach a’Bhlair	Cairngorms	1019m
Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair	Ullapool	1019m
Mullach Fraoch-choire	Kintail	1102m
Mullach nan Coirean	Fort William	939m
Mullach nan Dheiragain	Loch Ness	982m
Na Gruagaichean	Fort William	1056m
Ruadh Stac Mor	Ullapool	918m
Ruadh-stac Mor (Beinn Eighe)	Torridon	1010m
Sail Chaorainn	Kintail	1002m
Saileag	Kintail	956m
Schiehallion	Perthshire	1083m
Seana Bhraigh	Ullapool	926m
Sgairneach Mhor	Cairngorms	991m
Sgiath Chuil	Loch Lomond	921m
Sgor an Lochain Uaine	Cairngorms	1258m
Sgor Gaibhre	Fort William	955m
Sgor Gaoith	Cairngorms	1118m
Sgor na h-Ulaidh	Fort William	994m
Sgorr Dhearg (Beinn a’Bheithir)	Fort William	1024m
Sgorr Dhonuill (Beinn a’Bheithir)	Fort William	1001m
Sgorr nam Fiannaidh (Aonach Eagach)	Fort William	967m
Sgorr Ruadh	Torridon	962m
Sgurr a’Bhealaich Dheirg	Kintail	1036m
Sgurr a’Chaorachain	Torridon	1053m
Sgurr a’Choire Ghlais	Loch Ness	1083m
Sgurr a’Ghreadaidh	Islands	973m
Sgurr a’Mhadaidh	Islands	918m
Sgurr a’Mhaim	Fort William	1099m
Sgurr a’Mhaoraich	Fort William	1027m
Sgurr Alasdair	Islands	992m
Sgurr an Doire Leathain	Kintail	1010m
Sgurr an Lochain	Kintail	1004m
Sgurr Ban	Ullapool	989m
Sgurr Breac	Ullapool	999m
Sgurr Choinnich	Torridon	999m
Sgurr Choinnich Mor	Fort William	1094m
Sgurr Dubh Mor	Islands	944m
Sgurr Eilde Mor	Fort William	1010m
Sgurr Fhuar-thuill	Loch Ness	1049m
Sgurr Fhuaran	Kintail	1067m
Sgurr Fiona (An Teallach)	Ullapool	1060m
Sgurr Mhic Choinnich	Islands	948m
Sgurr Mor	Ullapool	1110m
Sgurr Mor (Beinn Alligin)	Torridon	986m
Sgurr Mor (Loch Quoich)	Fort William	1003m
Sgurr na Banachdich	Islands	965m
Sgurr na Carnach	Kintail	1002m
Sgurr na Ciche	Fort William	1040m
Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe	Kintail	1027m
Sgurr na Lapaich	Loch Ness	1150m
Sgurr na Ruaidhe	Loch Ness	993m
Sgurr na Sgine	Kintail	945m
Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan	Loch Ness	1151m
Sgurr nan Clach Geala	Ullapool	1093m
Sgurr nan Coireachan (Glen Dessary)	Fort William	953m
Sgurr nan Coireachan (Glenfinnan)	Fort William	956m
Sgurr nan Conbhairean	Kintail	1109m
Sgurr nan Each	Ullapool	923m
Sgurr nan Eag	Islands	924m
Sgurr nan Gillean	Islands	964m
Sgurr Thuilm	Fort William	963m
Slioch	Torridon	981m
Spidean a’Choire Leith (Liathach)	Torridon	1055m
Spidean Coire nan Clach (Beinn Eighe)	Torridon	993m
Spidean Mialach	Fort William	996m
Sron a’Choire Ghairbh	Fort William	937m
Stob a’Choire Mheadhoin	Fort William	1106m
Stob a’Choire Odhair	Argyll	945m
Stob Ban (Grey Corries)	Fort William	977m
Stob Ban (Mamores)	Fort William	999m
Stob Binnein	Loch Lomond	1165m
Stob Choire Claurigh	Fort William	1177m
Stob Coir an Albannaich	Fort William	1044m
Stob Coire a’Chairn	Fort William	981m
Stob Coire an Laoigh	Fort William	1116m
Stob Coire Easain	Fort William	1115m
Stob Coire Raineach (Buachaille Etive Beag)	Fort William	925m
Stob Coire Sgreamhach	Fort William	1072m
Stob Coire Sgriodain	Fort William	979m
Stob Daimh	Argyll	998m
Stob Dearg (Buachaille Etive Mor)	Fort William	1021m
Stob Dubh (Buachaille Etive Beag)	Fort William	956m
Stob Ghabhar	Argyll	1090m
Stob na Broige (Buachaille Etive Mor)	Fort William	956m
Stob Poite Coire Ardair	Fort William	1054m
Stuc a’Chroin	Perthshire	975m
Stuchd an Lochain	Perthshire	960m
The Cairnwell	Cairngorms	933m
The Devil’s Point	Cairngorms	1004m
The Saddle	Kintail	1010m
Toll Creagach	Loch Ness	1054m
Tolmount	Cairngorms	958m
Tom a’Choinich	Loch Ness	1112m
Tom Buidhe	Cairngorms	957m
Tom na Gruagaich (Beinn Alligin)	Torridon	922m

Which Are the Easiest Munros to Bag?

Climbing Scotland’s Munros doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking, and it’s worth bearing in mind that many peaks are quite accessible. That being said, no Munro could ever be described as easy, but it’s certainly true that some are easier than others.

The following list of Munros to bag in Scotland is ideal for anyone starting their first round, or perhaps anyone who just wants to climb a single Munro to say they’ve done it. However, you should have a few basics under your belt before setting off, which include map-reading skills and a moderate level of fitness.

In addition, it’s your responsibility to ensure you’re adequately equipped for the climb, so wear appropriate clothes with additional warm and waterproof layers, even if it’s a warm and sunny day. Take plenty of food and water, wear good-quality waterproof boots (check out my recommended boots, pack a map, and take a GPS device (your phone will suffice in most cases).

Ben Chonzie

• Location: OS Grid Reference NN 77328 30867. Latitude: 56° 27′ 14″ N, Longitude: 3° 59′ 31″ W
• Height: Elevation 3,054 feet (931 metres), Prominence 2,116 feet (645 metres)

This Munro in Perthshire is considered one of the easiest to climb, and it’s often chosen as the first ascent for beginner Munro-baggers. In fact, the hardest part might be finding the start of the walk.

From Loch Earn, follow the A85 to the village of Comrie and take the minor Monument Road for 5 miles till you get to the Ben Chonzie car park. There’s only space for perhaps 5 vehicles, so I suggest getting there early as parking on the narrow verge is difficult.

There’s a narrow track that leads from the car park towards Ben Chonzie, which is waymarked and isn’t at all difficult to navigate, but keep an eye open for a small dam that crosses a burn to know you’re on the right track. From there, it’s a simple walk on a rough path to the summit, where you’ll have stunning views across Glen Lednock.

Ben Lawers

• Location: OS Grid Ref: NN 63553 41423. Latitude: 56° 32′ 41″ N, Longitude: 4° 13′ 15″ W
• Height: Elevation 3,983 feet (1,214 metres), Prominence 3,002 feet (915 metres)
• Out About Scotland complete guide: Ben Lawers

This is the 10th-highest Munro in Scotland at 3,980 feet (1,213.1 metres), but it’s one of the easiest to climb thanks to a car park situated halfway up it, which offers access to a rough footpath to the top. Ben Lawers is one of the few Scottish Munros that isn’t located in the depths of the Highlands miles from anywhere, and instead, you’ll find it’s quite easy to get to by following the A827 along the northern bank of Loch Tay.

There’s a single-track road a mile or so past Morenish that leads to the car park, where you’ll find a well-marked track that continues up the mountain on a route that I’d say is nothing more than a moderate incline. There’s even a wooden walkway in places, so it’s a very accessible way to view Scotland’s mountain scenery.

The wide-open mountainside of Ben Lawers is a favourite hunting ground for eagles, so if you have room in your backpack, I recommend throwing a pair of binoculars in there, as you never know what you’ll see during the ascent.

Ben Lomond

• Location: OS Grid Ref: NN 36707 02861. Latitude: 56° 11′ 25″ N, Longitude: 4° 37′ 58″ W
• Height: Elevation 3,195 feet (974 metres), Prominence 2,687 feet (819 metres)

As the most southerly of all Scotland’s Munros, Ben Lomond is also one of the most visited thanks to a superb (for a Scottish mountain) path that runs in a loop from the eastern shore of Loch Lomond to the summit and back again.

Getting to the Trossachs is a short drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh, so you can easily bag this Munro on a day trip without having to book overnight accommodation. However, with such stunning scenery on your doorstep, I’d advise spending at least a couple of days in the area to explore the pretty villages of Balloch, Queen Elizabeth Forest, Loch Lomond, and, of course, Ben Lomond.

Ben Lomond rivals Ben Nevis as the most-climbed peak in Scotland so don’t expect to have the place to yourself when you visit. If you set off early you’ll find it’s reasonably quiet though, and the views on the 7-mile route are nothing short of spectacular.

As with all of Scotland’s Munros, you’ll find an excellent route guide on the Walk Highlands website as well as a downloadable Google Earth route, but personally, I prefer using an OS Map, which I will cover in detail later in this article.

Schiehallion

• Location: OS Grid Ref: NN 71385 54768. Latitude: 56° 40′ 1″ N, Longitude: 4° 6′ 0″ W
• Height: Elevation 3,553 feet (1,083 metres), Prominence 2,356 feet (718 metres)
• Out About Scotland complete guide: Schiehallion

It has been said that you could drive up Schiehallion, and at times, that’s not too far from the truth. The mountain features a wide and sloping footpath that’s easily accessed, and the only moderately difficult section is the rocky scramble at the very top. Perhaps that’s why more than 20,000 people make the climb each year.

The mountain is located in Perth and Kinross, 10 miles northwest of Aberfeldy, not far from the lochs of Tay, Rannoch, and Tummel.

It might appear daunting when the steep slopes are viewed from the north, but looking at it from the east shows that it’s a slender mountain with a long slope that gradually rises to its peak, and it’s this route that is so appealing to beginner hill walkers.

The best way to tackle Schiehallion is to park at the Braes of Foss car park and follow the path alongside woodland, which abruptly opens onto an open plain of wildflowers and grasses. There’s nowhere else to deviate to, so it’s almost impossible to head off in the wrong direction, and all you really have to do is follow the footpath and keep walking onwards and upwards.

Once at the summit, you’ll have amazing views of Loch Rannoch and Rannoch Moor before returning on the same path back to the car park.

Which Are the Best Munros to Climb?

What makes a mountain great? Is it difficult to climb it? The views from the summit? The wildlife that lives on it? Personally, I wouldn’t say any criteria that make climbing one mountain ‘better’ than climbing any other because what one person thinks is a great Munro can just as easily be at the bottom of the list for someone else.

However, there are a few factors that will help to make the ascent a more enjoyable experience for the majority of people, which include ease of road access and car parking, a not-too-difficult terrain, the chance to see Scotland’s wildlife, and gob-smacking views from the summit.

While there’s a heap of Munros that foot the bill, I have a few favourites that I’d like to share with you, and I reckon they all offer a wonderful experience for any hillwalker, whether they’re an inexperienced newbie or a seasoned pro.

Ben More

• Location: OS Grid Ref: NM 52575 33077. Latitude: 56° 25′ 29″ N, Longitude: 6° 0′ 50″ W
• Height: Elevation 3,169 feet (966 metres), Prominence 3,169 feet (966 metres)
• Out About Scotland complete guide: Ben More

There are actually two Ben More’s in Scotland, but when the name is mentioned, most people immediately think of the peak located between Loch Lomond and Loch Earn. The Munro I’m including in this list, however, is instead the one on the Isle of Mull, which is my favourite west coast island.

Ben More sits on the western side of the island, more or less in the middle, and as it’s the highest mountain in the Inner Hebrides, it dominates the landscape for miles in every direction.

There are two routes to get to the summit, which you can attack from either the north or south faces, but it’s recommended to approach it from the village of Dhiseig on the shore of Loch Na Keal and head south. Only experienced hill walkers should attempt the alternate route in the opposite direction because it is steep and very, very difficult (I know this from experience).

It takes around 4 hours to complete both routes, but whichever you take, you can be assured of amazing views along the way. One tip I have is to take binoculars with you, as there’s every chance you’ll get to see Britain’s biggest bird, the white-tailed sea eagle, soaring overhead.

Ben Nevis

• Location: OS Grid Ref: NN 16675 71282. Latitude: 56° 47′ 48″ N, Longitude: 5° 0′ 12″ W
• Height: Elevation 4,412 feet (1,345 metres), Prominence 4,409 feet (1,344 metres)
• Out About Scotland: A Complete Guide: The Ben Nevis Mountain Gondola

It’s impossible not to have heard of Ben Nevis. As children, we’re taught it’s the highest mountain in Britain, and as adults who love the great outdoors, we aspire to climb it one day. There are a couple of routes to the summit, but it’s the most-used path (otherwise known as ‘the tourist route’) that you’ll probably walk unless you’re a hardened outdoors adventurer.

‘Tourist route’ is a bit of a misnomer, though, as it’s actually quite a long and strenuous trek to the top. It’s a well-maintained path, to be sure, but it’s over ten miles in length and will take most people around eight hours to complete.

Because it’s such a popular trail, there are excellent visitor facilities at the foot of the mountain, which include ample car parking, a visitor centre with a café, an information point, a gift shop, and lots of signposts to keep you pointed in the right direction.

The John Muir Trust is in charge of maintaining the mountain, and just like at Schiehallion, they have done a fantastic job of laying out an accessible path that zigzags its way to the summit, though it becomes rougher and covered in scree near the top. Once there, you’ll be presented with superb views in all directions, but take care as there are steep drops, especially on the north face.

Bidean Nam Bian

• Location: OS Grid Ref: NN 14341 54210. Latitude: 56° 38′ 34″ N, Longitude: 5° 1′ 45″ W
• Height: Elevation 3,772 feet (1,150 metres), Prominence 2,772 feet (845 metres)
• Out About Scotland complete guide: Bidean Nam Bian

Glencoe is another tourist hotspot in the Highlands, and it’s (at least in my opinion) much prettier than the scenery surrounding Ben Nevis. The route up Bidean Nam Bian starts at Loch Actriochtan and continues up a moderately steep and rocky path to the peak of Stob Coire nan Lochan, where you can venture deep into the ridges of the mountain known as ‘The Three Sisters’.

This route can be tricky when it’s covered with snow and ice, so unless you’re an experienced climber, I suggest reserving a visit until the weather improves, when you’ll be able to appreciate the view across the glen as well as the refreshing pools of water that cascade off the mountainside.

After reaching the top of Coire nan Lochan, you’ll see the path petering out into a box canyon, which requires a scramble up scree slopes, after which you’ll be able to join another path that leads onto Stob Coire nan Lochan.

It looks quite daunting from the bottom, but it’s actually not too bad on close inspection, though it’s quite narrow, so if you haven’t got a head for heights, you might not find it a particularly enjoyable experience. The view from the top of the ridge is nothing short of breathtaking, with superb views out to Loch Etive and even the Isle of Mull on a clear day.

Ben Vorlich and Stuc A’Chroin

• Location: OS Grid Ref: NN 61746 17464. Latitude: 56° 19′ 45″ N, Longitude: 4° 14′ 15″ W
• Height: Elevation 3,199 feet (975 metres), Prominence 827 feet (252 metres)

I would have included Ben Vorlich on its own were it not for the fact that at 2,900 feet, it’s 100 feet shy of being a Munro, but it’s still worth climbing as it’s a lovely walk, and you can tack on nearby Stuc a’Chroin if you really want that magical 3,000-foot accomplishment.

The easiest path starts from the southern shores of Loch Earn, where it passes through woodland before the scenery changes to moorland as the elevation increases. The path is well-worn, so there shouldn’t be any problems making your way to the summit of Ben Vorlich, and at just 5 miles, this first section shouldn’t take more than 3 hours to complete.

If you want to extend the route, there’s a path from Ben Vorlich to Stuc a’Chroin that’s relatively straightforward, apart from the last section, which involves a steep scramble to the summit.

More Recommended Munros in Scotland

Trying to include a review of every single Scottish Munro in one article is pointless, as it would make it so long that you may as well go and read a book on the subject. What I’ll do instead, therefore, is include a few of my personal favourites in the following list as and when I’m able to visit them.

These Munros aren’t classified as ‘best’ in any particular category, but if I enjoy climbing them, I’ll be sure to add them below along with links to my in-depth reviews.

Ben Cruachan

• Location: OS Grid Ref: NN 06962 30471. Latitude: 56° 25′ 36″ N, Longitude: 5° 7′ 54″ W
• Height: Elevation 3,694 feet (1,126 metres), Prominence 2,890 feet (881 metres)
• Out About Scotland: A Complete Guide: Ben Cruachan Dam

Ben Cruachan is one of the highest Munros in the Southern Highlands, and it’s extremely popular for two reasons.

The first is the fact that the superb ‘Hollow Mountain’ attraction is located nearby, where visitors can take a journey deep inside the mountain to view an enormous underground hydroelectric power station. The station is powered by water stored in the dam, and visitors are encouraged to walk up to it for a look, after which they can continue to the Ben Cruachan summit or return to the visitor centre.

The second reason to visit Ben Cruachan is for the superb views from the summit of Stob Dàimh, where climbers are presented with a sweeping panorama of Argyll that’s nothing short of breathtaking. The route to the summit is exceptionally pretty, and if the road leading to the dam is followed, then a good portion of it is exceptionally easy to walk as well.

Those visitors wanting to take the easy-going road to the dam can park in a lay-by at the side of the A85, not far from the Falls of Cruachan railway station. From there, follow an underpass and take the path heading in the direction of a small electric substation.

The path then joins the road that leads up to the dam, which is a pleasant enough walk in itself, before transitioning into a stony track that leads up to the summit. In total, I’d plan around 8 hours to walk the return route to the summit and half that if you don’t progress further than the dam.

Ben Hope

• Location: OS Grid Ref: NC 47750 50150. Latitude: 58° 24′ 47″ N, Longitude: 4° 36′ 28″ W
• Height: Elevation 3,041 feet (927 metres), Prominence 2,533 feet (772 metres)
• Out About Scotland: A Complete Guide: Ben Hope

This is, without doubt, the remotest Munro I’ve included in this article, as it’s located in the far-northern county of Sutherland and is, in fact, the most northerly mountain on the British mainland. I have to say this is one of my favourite regions of Scotland, with a wild and dramatic coastline, countless picturesque lochs, and a beautiful landscape that’s a haven for wildlife.

Access to Ben Hope is via a single-track road that can be joined from either the A838 to the north or the A836 to the south, with a car park located south of Loch Hope and close to Broch Dun Dornaigil.

The track leading up the mountain is steep and covered with loose rocks, so climbers should take care, especially in the sections that veer towards several burns that cascade down the slopes. As pretty as they are, these flows of water make the ground very slippery underfoot, and after a rainfall, the ascent can be downright treacherous.

Thankfully, despite being so remote, climbers frequently visit Ben Hope, making the trail clear at every turn.

It’s quite a twisty-turny route as it has to bypass quite a few gorges, but the effort involved is more than worth it, and visitors will have umpteen photo opportunities of Strathmore as they forge ahead through the heather-covered lower slopes. Towards the top, it gets steeper and more barren as the plants thin out and the slopes become scree-covered, and it becomes a downright scramble once you get nearer to the summit.

At the top, you’ll find a cairn and a stone wind shelter where you can soak up the gorgeous views across Sutherland before returning to the car park on the same route as used for the ascent.

Cairn Gorm

• Location: OS Grid Ref: NJ 00516 04064. Latitude: 57° 7′ 0″ N, Longitude: 3° 38′ 40″ W
• Height: Elevation 4,084 feet (1,245 metres), Prominence 476 feet (145 metres)
• Out About Scotland: A Complete Guide: Cairngorm Mountain Funicular

The Cairngorm mountain range is located in the heart of the Highlands, a more-or-less dead centre in the vast Cairngorms National Park.

The Cairngorm range is part of the wider Grampian mountains, which cover a large area of Scotland between the far northern Highlands and the Central Lowlands, and it includes many of the highest mountains in the UK, such as Ben Nevis and Cairn Gorm.

This is one of the highest peaks in Scotland at over 4,000 feet and is, in fact, the seventh-highest mountain in Britain, so anyone thinking of climbing up it will require a degree of fitness and stamina as well as experience in scaling Scotland’s tougher peaks.

There are several routes up the mountain, but by far the most-used is the ‘windy ridge’ path, which is quite steep but also the most direct and is the route that’s almost always described in guidebooks. The internet is full of websites that describe how to make this ascent, but I’ve yet to find one that’s as detailed as the Walk Highlands Cairn Gorm page.

Another route that is almost as popular follows the ski track up the slope of Coire Cas close to the Cairngorm Mountain Funicular, but this trail veers away from the summit in several places and is very busy during the ski season.

My advice is to head to the lower Cairngorm Mountain Experience Centre and take a good look at the information boards and maps to plan your ascent. Speak with the staff while you’re there because they’ll be able to tell you which routes are safe to take and which ones are hazardous—information that’s crucial in the winter when snow covers the tracks along the exposed plateaus.

Even if you decide not to scale the summit on foot, it’s worth visiting the Cairn Gorm base centre, as the mountain funicular allows swift travel up the mountain slopes to a visitor centre near the top where there’s a restaurant and a viewing platform.

For people with mobility issues, this is a great way to “climb” a mountain; however, because of the harm that countless tourists have done over the years to the delicate slopes, visitors are currently not allowed to leave the station.

Munro Walking Advice and Recommended Gear

Climbing mountains is an inherently risky hobby, and while some Munros are easier to bag than others, the fact is that there’s no ‘easy’ Munro.

Before setting off on your adventure, it’s advisable to go online and have a quick run-through of the route you’ll be taking, and maybe look at a few opinions of other hill walkers who have already completed it. One of the best resources for this is the Walk Highlands website, which has detailed route maps and descriptions of thousands of walks in Scotland, plus reviews and photos taken by experienced hill walkers.

When you’ve chosen a Munro that you feel you’re capable of climbing, it’s extremely useful to get an accurate weather forecast. Scotland’s changeable weather can make or break your climb, and if you don’t check the forecast before leaving home, you could find yourself lost in driving rain and unable to see more than a few feet ahead.

My go-to is the Mountain Weather Information Service which has some of the most detailed weather reports you’re ever likely to find, and they specialise in producing forecasts for Britain’s mountain areas. Another website I like to check before heading off into the great outdoors is Mountain Forecast.

This website is best for viewing updated maps that show cloud conditions across the UK, and I personally find the site easier to understand than reading a text report. They also have a handy ‘mountains closest to you’ section, which I’ve used many times to get ideas for peaks to climb whenever I’m visiting a new region of Scotland.

The next stage of your climb is making sure you’ve got the correct kit, and while I’m not going to explicitly state what’s best, I’ve got a few essentials that I use, which I’ll list next. The two most important items are a good water- and wind-proof jacket and comfy, supportive walking boots.

For the jacket, I swear by Berghaus (this and the following links are for Amazon). They’re at the premium end of consumer-level walking jackets, but the quality is excellent, and they’re superb at keeping you dry when it starts raining, which it will at some point.

A great feature of Berghuas jackets is their universal zip, which means you can insert different liners depending on the time of year you’re climbing. In winter, I zip in a thick fleece and in the warmer months, I zip in a lightweight gilet, and then, depending on how hot or cold I get during the climb, I just swap the layers and stuff whatever isn’t needed in my backpack.

For boots, again, I can only recommend what I’ve used myself, and I now only wear Berghaus. I’ve tried other brands, but in my opinion, Berghaus boots offer the best combination of comfort and durability for the money, plus they’re generous with the ankle support and the soles are extra grippy.

I’ve created an article about hiking boots which you can read if you want more information.

OS Maps

Having the right kit means nothing if you can’t get to your destination, and that’s where my final piece of must-have gear comes into play: a map and compass. For the map, you don’t need to look any further than the Ordnance Survey. OS Maps have been going for decades, and they’ve perfected making maps that are easy to read and ultra-detailed, plus you can get waterproof maps that are ideal for Scotland’s wet weather.

There are two types of OS maps, which are either labelled OS Explorer or OS Landranger. Explorer maps have a 1:25,000 scale (where 4 cm on the map equals 1 km in real life), and Landranger maps have a 1:50,000 scale (where 2 cm on the map equals 1 km in real life).

The Explorer range is best for walking as they’re more detailed, but I tend to go for Landranger maps as they double up for long-distance cycle routes.

Buy OS Explorer maps direct from Ordnance Survey.

Buy OS Landranger maps direct from Ordnance Survey.

To be honest, either should suffice for most walks in Scotland, but if you see them in a shop, make sure you only get the new ones that have a blue ‘Mobile download’ logo. This invaluable feature allows you to download your purchased OS map onto your phone, which is worth the price of the map on its own.

The OS Maps app works with your phone’s GPS to overlay your position directly onto the map, so you can see exactly where you are and the direction you’re heading. This feature is worth its weight in gold, and I’ve found it so handy that I only really use the paper map as a backup these days.

That being said, I’d never venture on a hike without a paper map in my bag, as mobile phones have a big downside in that their batteries run out, whereas you’ll always be able to use a paper map. If you like the sound of using OS Maps on your mobile device, you can subscribe to their premium service, which gives you access to every single map of Britain for around £25 a year. Considering the paper maps are around £10 each, it’s a bit of a bargain.

Ordnance Survey also sells an all-in-one GPS mapping device that is ruggedized, has a 30-hour battery life, supports multiple satellites, and includes every OS map of Britain at no extra cost. I’ve seen one and have decided I must have one. As soon as my other half gives me the go-ahead, that is.

See the latest handheld GPS devices with bundled mapping from Ordnance Survey.

Alongside your paper map, it’s recommended to purchase a compass and learn how to use it. There are a million places you can get a compass, and they’re so cheap that you might as well get one to throw in your bag as they weigh virtually nothing and take up a tiny amount of space.

As always, Amazon is your best friend here, so follow this link to buy one. There’s not much else that I’d classify as a necessity unless you’re tackling the more advanced Munros, but if you are, I suggest heading over to the websites in the section below for tips from the pros.

That being said, for most walks in Scotland, it’s always handy to have:

1: A backpack. I’ve created an article about lightweight backpacks for day walks, which you can read here. If you’re scaling advanced peaks, you might like to check out these backpacks on Amazon.

2: A head torch. Handheld torches are a pain to use when holding a map, so a head torch is recommended. There are a bazillion of these things on Amazon, so follow this link and take your pick.

3: A first-aid kit. I wouldn’t carry a big kit as they’re cumbersome, but it’s certainly useful to have plasters for cuts and scrapes and a bandage to support twisted ankles. I have a small pouch kit that weighs very little and sits permanently in a side pocket in my backpack. There are lots of options on Amazon.

4: Food and water. Basically, take lots of it, especially water. Walking uphill for two or three hours is thirsty work, and it’ll be torture if you can’t replace lost fluids because you’ve forgotten to pack a water bottle. I recommend a metal bottle, as they’ll survive being battered about when you drop your backpack to the floor, and most packs have two bottle holders, so you should be able to take 2 litres without problem. Amazon links to metal water bottles.

Recommended Resources and Further Reading

Scottish Mountaineering Club: This is one of the most respected clubs for climbing in Scotland. The SMC has been operating for over 100 years, and they have a wealth of information about Munros as well as hosting a number of club meets and events. Members can even book one of their huts, which are strategically positioned close to mountain ranges.

The Munro Society: This is another club for Munro baggers, although The Munro Society aims to serve completionists rather than people that are still working towards finishing their first round. The society aims to act as a social network as well as provide mountain surveys and environmental reports on Scotland’s changing mountain scenery.

Munro Map: This handy website features an interactive map that depicts all the Munros in Scotland, and it also has information about each mountain, including coordinates, elevations, and the distance to surrounding mountains.

Walk Highlands: Walk Highlands is by far the best online resource for walking trails in Scotland. They offer thorough route descriptions, as well as routes that are downloadable onto Google Earth and photos to help you get your bearings on each trail.

If there’s a good walking trail in Scotland, you can be assured that Walk Highlands has it covered on their website.

Steve Fallon Mountain Adventures: Steve Fallon is the current record holder for the most rounds completed, so the guy is a bit of an expert when it comes to Munro bagging. His website is jam-packed with information about Munros, and in addition to detailed guides about them, he also runs guided treks up them. Definitely bookmark this one for your outdoor adventures.

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