I've collected some interesting facts to consider about Triangulation Points (Trigs) & Cairns. Do you love or hate these man made apparitions that appear on virtually every hill that you ascend?Historically they've been a Love/Hate issue for many people. Getting the Measure of Height: Triangulation Points were designed for the Ordnance Survey in around 1935, nearly 100 years ago, by Brigadier Martin Hotine when it was realised that Britain's mapping was hopelessly out of date

How much does a round of the Munros Cost? This is an interesting and scary question, and, of course, the answer will be different for everyone. There are some big variables, including:- 1. Where do you live and what transport will you use? 2. What kind of accommodation will you use? 3. What is your Food & Drink budget? As an accountant and munroist I needed to know the answer, as you do, and my best starting point would be my own experience. I started around 1980 and complete

I've already written a blog about memories of Gerry's Hostel and also had an article published in this month's The Munro Society Magazine about him. But now I've also had a go at writing him into Scottish Munro Bagging Folklore through the medium of a song with video- The Legend of Gerry's Hostel.

Do you feel like this about Munros and Scottish Mountaineering too? If these words and pictures resonate with you then you probably have an addiction to needing the next summit fix like me. But ... can that ever lead to contentment? See if you agree on my view here.

The Hills is Lonely... or Are They? How busy are/were the Scottish Mountains? Between 1959-1978 a lady under the name of Lillian Beckwith wrote a light hearted series of books about life on the Hebrides. The first was called “The Hills is Lonely” ... I have borrowed the title, as its a good title for what I wish to write about... My topic for today, is about the density of walkers you may come across on the Scottish Hills. It includes some observations from 1980 up

From Munro Bagger to Munro Blogger! The only climbing related "pod" that I knew until recently was my one-man 'PeaPod' tent... which we occasionally squeezed three people into! In addition to blogging regularly I now appear to have made a Podcast! Whatever that is...

Remembering Gerry's Private Bunkhouse between Achnasheen and Achnashellach... On 3rd November 1985 we had decided to stay at our first ever Private Bunkhouse. We had all been members of the YHA for upwards of 30 years, but they were spread a bit thin in obscure parts of the Highlands. On the other hand Private Bunkhouses/ Hostels were just coming into being, and we thought that we should try one, especially as we were venturing into territory that had little other accommodati

As published in The Munro Society Newsletter No.66 April 2026. 'Scotland- In the beginning'. My first trip ever to Scotland was by steam train from Blackpool to Aberdeen with my Grandmother. The year was around 1950 when I would be 11. As a trainspotter I spent the entire journey getting smoke in my eyes, and a black face, from standing with my head out of a corridor window (then openable!) so as not to miss an oncoming train. We stayed a week in the Granite City with friend

Over 70 years of climbing there are only a handful of days where we failed to meet our Summit. But there were some... where the weather or map-reading errors serve as a lesson, even for hardened climbers... Most notably:- 1. Ben Griam Mor and Ben Griam Beg (not even Grahams). 2. Am Faochagach (a Munro). 3. Cruach nan Capull, (a Graham) ... The Munro Am Faochagach... We stayed at the Aultguish Inn around 1985 shortly after they had started to operate a bunkhouse adjacent to th

As you draw closer to completing a round of the Scottish Munros, you will probably start wondering “What's next?”. How do we follow that? You will probably have very mixed feelings, with the excitement and achievement of having successfully completed a considerable challenge, and nagging doubts about how to fill all those hill days still to come.

A brief encounter entertaining a c. Ben Lawers... One thoroughly wet & windy day, 7th February 1981, to be precise, two of us (Malcolm and I) were out all day on the Ben Lawers Range. Ian missed the trip as he had recently become a father. However, to us, the day was not regarded as a washout. Far from it, as we had successfully bagged three new Munros. These Munros were numbers 46-48 for me. They were Meall Corranaich 1069ft, Bhain Ghlas 1103ft and Ben Lawers 1214ft. We had

A small number of locals would respond to Sid's phone call about an incident, and Rescuers were recruited by Sid visiting his busy Bar

Having completed a round of the Munros and also a round of the Corbetts and being a Chartered Accountant, I thought about the Statistics.... Over the years I naturally kept a brief diary of hills done, height gain, time taken, weather etc etc... One obvious question stuck out a mile...