Scotland is known for many things, but one particularly notable quality is its rather hilly landscape.
The nation and two of its isles are home to the Munros - mountains across the country which seasoned hill walkers attempt to conquer. Now, ten year-old Quinn Young has joined these ranks as the youngest girl ever to climb all 282 peaks.
But Munros are not your typical mountains. Classified as a group of particularly high peaks, many walkers choose to take up the challenge of what is called "Munro bagging". However, these are not for the inexperienced, as many walkers have lost their lives in trying to complete the task.
If Quinn's achievement has inspired you to take on the task of climbing nearly 300 Scottish mountains, here are some things you should know, including some recommendations for beginner and advanced walkers.
All hillwalkers planning to take on any mountain should plan accordingly and seek safety advice from Scottish Mountain Rescue before setting off.
What is a Munro?
Munros are mountains found across Scotland, which are classified as being over 3,000 feet, or 914 metres in height. According to Visit Scotland, they are named after British Mountaineer Sir Hugh T Munro, who surveyed and catalogued them in 1891.
How many Munros are there in Scotland and which is the highest?
There are a total of 282 Munros in Scotland, says Visit Scotland. The highest peak of the group is Ben Nevis, which is also the highest mountain in the country.
Located in the highlands near Fort William Ben Nevis stands at 4,411 ft, or 1,345 m. While this may seem like the most difficult Munro, there are a number of lower but more challenging peaks to climb.
Among them include the 12 airy peaks of the Black Cuillin on Skye and the UK mainland's narrowest ridge walk - the Aonach Eagach - in Glen Coe.
What is Munro bagging?
Munro bagging is a popular Scottish past time, where walkers try to "bag" as many Munro peaks as possible. Over 7,000 cilmbers, known as "compleatists" or "Munroists" are registered as completing all Munros, with Quinn being added as climber no 7033.
When can I take up Munro bagging?
Those with little climbing experience should be wary of immediately taking on Munros. The steep climbs paired with rocky terrains can pose huge risks for falls, which can be fatal.
Also, Scotland's un-predictable weather means climbers often get stuck mid-climb due to stormy and snowy weather, with rescue services often being called in to get people out of trouble.
If you are interested in taking on the Munros, but need practice, Visit Scotland recommends visiting Scotland's many hills and glens to help you warm up and find your feet. It is also worth knowing which Munros are the easiest and which are more difficult.
10 easier Munros for beginners
According to Steven Fallon Hillkwalking Adventures, the following are 10 of the most straight-forward and easier Munros, ideal for beginning baggers.
- The Cairnwall and Carn Aosda
- Meall nan Tarmachan
- Carn Liath on Beinn a'Ghlo
- Ben Chonzie
- Cairngorm
- Schiehallion
- Mount Keen
- Driesh and Mayar
- Ben Lomond
- Ben Vorlich
You can find all information and maps for these routes here.
10 tougher Munros for advanced climbers
There are many factors which make a Munro a tough climb, but Steven Fallon has ranked his top 10 which he feels are the most challenging.
- Inaccessible Pinnacle
- A'Mhaighdean
- Ladhar Bheinn
- Aonach Eagach
- Sgurr nan Gillean
- Seanna Bhraigh
- Sgurr Alasdair
- Mullach na Dheiragain
- Beinn Dorian
- Ben Klibreck
All route information and maps can be found here.
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