Scottish Munros (Challenge yourself to bag all 282!)

Published: 28th October 2020, last updated: 14th September 2023

Munros are mountains which are found across Scotland, named so after the mountaineer Sir Hugh Munro who first compiled a list of them.

Whilst Scottish Munros may be modest in height in comparison to some of the continental ranges, climbing them can be particularly treacherous on account of the latitude and Scottish weather. However, if you do reach the summit of pretty much any of the Munros, we can guarantee it will be worth your while as you will be rewarded with some of the most stunning views in the world!

These Munros are scattered all over Scotland, from Ben Lomond in the South to Ben Hope in the north, and Sgurr na Banachdich in the west to Mount Keen in the east, and they offer no end of challenging and immensely enjoyable days out, in all seasons. Bagging one of these impressive Scottish mountains is something every walker should tick off their ‘must-do’ list.

How high are Munros?

In order to be classified as Munros, hills must be over 3000 feet or 914.4 metres high. They also must have been deemed to have “sufficient separation” from their neighbouring peaks. There are a number of other names used to classify mountains by the Scottish Mountaineering Club. These are:

  • Corbetts –  defined as Scottish mountains between 2,500–3,000 feet in height.
  • Grahams – defined as Scottish mountains between 2,000–2,500 feet in height.
  • Donalds – defined as Scottish Lowlands mountains over 2,000 feet in height.

How many Munros are there in Scotland?

There are in total 282 Munros across Scotland. There are also 227 Munro Tops, which are lesser peaks, which are also over 3,000 feet but are lower than the nearby primary mountain, bringing the total number of summits over 3000 ft listed by the Scottish Mountaineering Club to 509.

The highest Munro is Ben Nevis at a whopping 4,411 feet. However there are a number of lower, but arguably more challenging Munros to climb, such as the 12 peaks of the Black Cuillin on the Isle of Skye and the UK mainland’s narrowest ridge walk, the Aonach Eagach, which is in Glen Coe.

Sir Hugh Munro

Sir Hugh Thomas Munro, 4th Baronet  was a Scottish mountaineer who was born in 1856. He was brought up on his family estate of Lindertis Angus, Scotland, and went on to become an avid hillwalker, and was a founder member of the Scottish Mountaineering Club in 1889.

In the 6th issue of the Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal in 1891 he published a list of all of the mountains in Scotland over 3000 feet. This list caused much surprise in mountaineering circles, as until his list was produced many thought that the number of mountains exceeding this height was around 30, rather than the nearly 300 that he listed. These peaks are now known around the world as Munros after Sir Hugh.

Despite it becoming a popular hobby to attempt to climb all the Munros listed, Sir Hugh never actually managed to complete them all himself- although he did get blinking close! Of his original list he failed to climb one mountain in the Cairngorms (Carn Cloich-Mhuillin) which he was saving to be his last climb, and then on his deathbed he revised his original list to include 2 more peaks, leaving him 3 short of completing the entire list in his lifetime.

Map of Munros

CLICK HERE to see an interactive map of Scotland, where you can the select each of the mountain icons on the map to find information such as heights, routes and maps for every Munro in Scotland.

Munro Bagging

“Munro bagging” is the activity of climbing all the listed Munros. As of 2 July 2020, 6,768 people had reported completing a round. You can claim to “bag” a Munro by reaching it’s summit.

A walker who has climbed all 282 Munros is entitled to be called a Munroist, or a Compleater.

Revd A E Robertson was the first to complete an entire round of the Munros in 1901. The final mountain he reached was Meall Dearg (on the Aonach Eagach) – where the Revd famously kissed first the cairn, and then his wife. In 1923 another Reverend, Ronald Burn, became the second Munroist as well as the first person to climb all the subsidiary Tops.

The real explosion in the popularity of Munro-bagging came in the late 1980s and today the numbers are huge.

If you think you would like to add your name to the list of thousands of Munroists, there is no better place to start than this Walkhighlands website, where you can find a detailed, independently-researched guide to the ascent of every Munro and have the opportunity to record all your Munro ascents here on your own interactive baggers map.

Click here to find out more

Notable completions

Steve Fallon from Edinburgh has completed 16 rounds of all the Munros as of the 1st October 2019, making him the person with the record for the most rounds.

The youngest person to complete a round is believed to be Ben Fleetwood who climbed the final Munro of his round at the age of just 10 years and 3 months on the 30th August 2011.

Ronald Burn, who completed his round 1923 was also the first person to climb all the Munro Tops.

Chris Smith became the first Member of Parliament to complete the Munros when he reached the summit of Sgùrr nan Coireachan on 27 May 1989.

Hamish Brown is known for being being the first person to walk all the Munros in a single trip with only ferries and a bicycle as means of transport, starting a trend of attempting what is now known as a continuous round.

The first reported completion of all the Munros plus the Munro Tops in one continuous expedition was by Chris Townsend. His trip lasted 118 days in 1996.

The first person to complete all the Munros in one winter season was Martin Moran in 1984/85, and this feat became known as a winter round.

The current record for a self-propelled continuous round was set by Alex Robinson and Tom O’Connell on the 18th September 2011, when they finished in an impressive time of 48 days, 6 hours and 56 minutes.

Furths

The SMC recognises six peaks in England, fifteen in Wales and thirteen in Ireland that would be Munros or Munro Tops if they were in Scotland. These are referred to as Furth Munros, i.e. the Munros furth of Scotland.

Munros Safety

Whilst some Munros are more difficult to climb then others, there is no such thing as an easy Munro- I mean, where would the fun be in that! It is important to make sure that you are adequately prepared for your ascent and that means making sure that you have these items of essential equipment with you:

  • Most importantly, a good pair of walking shoes/boots.
  • Dress in lightweight layers and waterproof clothing to stay dry and warm.
  • Take a map of the local area, ideally with your intended route marked out.
  • A compass- bear in mind that you may lose phone signal as you climb higher so the old fashioned kind is best!
  • A torch, even if you plan of climbing in daylight hours, good visibility up the Munros is not always guaranteed with the ever changing Scottish weather.
  • A first aid/safety kit in case of any accidents.
  • Lots of water and enough food to keep you sustained even if your return is delayed.

Once your bag is packed, make sure you know your routes, check the weather before you leave, and make sure you know how to properly navigate using a map and compass. Be honest with yourself about your ability level, and don’t take risks, if the weather is horrendous or if you have a minor injury, wait for another day. Be sure to tell somebody where you a going, the route your are taking and an estimated return time, so that help can be sent for if something goes wrong.

Munros for Beginners

1. Ben Lomond

Located in The Trossachs National Park and overlooking Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond is one of the most popular Munros for first time climbers. Despite standing at an impressive 3,195 ft, it’s ascent is one of the least daunting of all the Munros as it has a wide clear path which rises gradually all the way to the summit.

Ben Lomond is easily accessible being the most southerly of all the Munros and located only an hour and a half away from Glasgow. The climb up and down usually takes around 4 to 5 hours, thats if you can drag yourself away from the impressive views at the summit of the length of Loch Lomond and its islands to return home!

2. Mount Keen

Mount Keen is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s easiest Munros, and is especially recommended for a clear day when the sheer scale of remote country scenery can be fully appreciated. It is the most easterly of the Munros, appearing as a gentle cone rising above the great plateau of the eastern Mounth.

There are 2 straightforward routes that can be taken up Mount Keen, the route from Glen Tanar to the north is longer than the route up through Glen Mark in Angus, but both have good clear paths and a gentle incline with good going underfoot.

3. Ben Lawers

Despite being one of the tallest summits in Scotland, Ben Lawers is arguably one of the easiest to complete, part of the reason for this being the starting point of the climb. The car park for the walk up Ben Lawers sits above sea level, meaning that a sizable chunk of the mountain’s 3,983 ft ascent is already behind you before you even set foot on its slopes. The mountain is located to the north of Loch Tay in Perthshire and sits in a rich area for Munro bagging – its summit is on a long ridge that contains no fewer than seven of these mountain tops.

Popular Munros

1. Ben Nevis

Attracting an impressive 125,000 walkers a year, Ben Nevis is one of the world renown Munros and is the tallest mountain in the British Isle, standing at a whopping 4,413 feet high. Ben Nevis stands at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands, close to the town of Fort William.

It will usually take between 7-9 hours to climb Ben Nevis, although the weather and your level of fitness will play a part in exactly how long it takes. It was in fact once a massive active volcano which exploded and collapsed inwards on itself millions of years ago.

The name Ben Nevis has two translations from the ancient Gaelic language, one meaning ‘mountain with it’s head in the clouds’, thanks to its iconic mist-shrouded peak, or it can also mean ‘venomous mountain’ – we’ll leave it up to you to decide which is more appropriate after you have climbed it!

2. Sgurr nan Gillean

Sgurr nan Gillean on the Isle of Skye is perhaps the most famous of the Cuillin peaks and regarded by many as the finest- a popular route with a difficult scramble to the summit and fantastic views at all times. This is definitely not one of the Munros suitable for inexperienced walkers as even the easiest ascent via the southeast ridge is a fairly serious scramble – the other two ridges edging into the realm of rock climbing. But if you have the ability to, it is well worth a trip to the top; the summit views are truly outstanding and perfectly placed to admire the Red Cuillins and Blaven.

3. Schiehallion

Sometimes described as the centre of Scotland, Schiehallion is one of the most familiar and best known mountains in the country, and is the 4th most climbed of all the Munros. It’s located in Perth and Kinross, in Scotland and it appears as a perfect cone when seen from across Loch Rannoch. Whilst it is generally regarded as an easy ascent, the popularity of this mountain has meant that the main path had become exceedingly eroded by the volume of walkers.

Complete List of Scottish Munros

MountainRegionAltitude
A’ Bhuidheanach BheagCairngorms936m
A’ ChailleachUllapool997m
A’ Chailleach (Monadhliath)Cairngorms930m
A’ ChralaigKintail1120m
A’ Ghlas-bheinnKintail918m
A’ MhaighdeanUllapool967m
A’ MharconaichCairngorms975m
Am BasteirIslands934m
Am BodachFort William1032m
Am FaochagachUllapool954m
An CaistealLoch Lomond995m
An CoileachanUllapool923m
An GearanachFort William982m
An RiabhachanLoch Ness1129m
An SgarsochCairngorms1006m
An Socach (Affric)Loch Ness921m
An Socach (Braemar)Cairngorms944m
An Socach (Mullardoch)Loch Ness1069m
An StucPerthshire1118m
Aonach Air ChrithKintail1021m
Aonach Beag (Alder)Cairngorms1116m
Aonach Beag (Nevis Range)Fort William1234m
Aonach MeadhoinKintail1001m
Aonach MorFort William1221m
Beinn a’BhuirdCairngorms1197m
Beinn a’Chaorainn (Cairngorms)Cairngorms1082m
Beinn a’Chaorainn (Glen Spean)Fort William1050m
Beinn a’ChlachairFort William1087m
Beinn a’ChleibhArgyll916m
Beinn a’ChochuillArgyll980m
Beinn a’ChreachainArgyll1081m
Beinn a’ChroinLoch Lomond942m
Beinn AchaladairArgyll1038m
Beinn an DothaidhArgyll1004m
Beinn BheoilCairngorms1019m
Beinn BhreacCairngorms931m
Beinn BhrotainCairngorms1157m
Beinn BhuidheArgyll948m
Beinn ChabhairLoch Lomond933m
Beinn Dearg (Blair Atholl)Perthshire1008m
Beinn Dearg (Ullapool)Ullapool1084m
Beinn DorainArgyll1076m
Beinn DubhchraigArgyll978m
Beinn EibhinnCairngorms1102m
Beinn EunaichArgyll989m
Beinn FhadaKintail1032m
Beinn FhionnlaidhArgyll959m
Beinn Fhionnlaidh (Carn Eige)Loch Ness1005m
Beinn GhlasPerthshire1103m
Beinn HeasgarnichPerthshire1078m
Beinn ImeLoch Lomond1011m
Beinn Iutharn MhorCairngorms1045m
Beinn Liath MhorTorridon926m
Beinn Liath Mhor FannaichUllapool954m
Beinn MhanachArgyll953m
Beinn MheadhoinCairngorms1182m
Beinn na LapFort William937m
Beinn nan AighenanFort William960m
Beinn NarnainLoch Lomond926m
Beinn SgritheallKintail974m
Beinn SgulairdArgyll937m
Beinn TarsuinnUllapool937m
Beinn TeallachFort William915m
Beinn TulaicheanLoch Lomond946m
Beinn UdlamainCairngorms1010m
Ben AlderCairngorms1148m
Ben AvonCairngorms1171m
Ben ChallumArgyll1025m
Ben ChonziePerthshire931m
Ben CruachanArgyll1126m
Ben HopeSutherland927m
Ben KlibreckSutherland961m
Ben LawersPerthshire1214m
Ben LomondLoch Lomond974m
Ben LuiArgyll1130m
Ben MacduiCairngorms1309m
Ben MoreLoch Lomond1174m
Ben More (Mull)Islands966m
Ben More AssyntUllapool998m
Ben NevisFort William1345m
Ben OssArgyll1029m
Ben StaravFort William1078m
Ben VaneLoch Lomond915m
Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn)Perthshire985m
Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)Loch Lomond943m
Ben WyvisLoch Ness1046m
Bidean nam BianFort William1150m
Bidein a’Choire SheasgaichTorridon945m
Bidein a’Ghlas Thuill (An Teallach)Ullapool1062m
Binnein BeagFort William943m
Binnein MorFort William1130m
Bla BheinnIslands928m
BraeriachCairngorms1296m
Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgainPerthshire1070m
Broad CairnCairngorms998m
Bruach na FritheIslands958m
Bynack MoreCairngorms1090m
Cairn BannochCairngorms1012m
Cairn GormCairngorms1245m
Cairn of ClaiseCairngorms1064m
Cairn ToulCairngorms1291m
Carn a’ChlamainPerthshire963m
Carn a’Choire BhoidheachCairngorms1118m
Carn a’GheoidhCairngorms975m
Carn a’MhaimCairngorms1037m
Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar)Cairngorms994m
Carn an RighPerthshire1029m
Carn an t-Sagairt MorCairngorms1047m
Carn an TuircCairngorms1019m
Carn AosdaCairngorms917m
Carn BhacCairngorms946m
Carn Dearg (Corrour)Fort William941m
Carn Dearg (Loch Pattack)Cairngorms1034m
Carn Dearg (Monadhliath)Cairngorms945m
Carn EigeLoch Ness1183m
Carn GhluasaidKintail957m
Carn GormPerthshire1029m
Carn Liath (Beinn a’Ghlo)Perthshire975m
Carn Liath (Creag Meagaidh)Fort William1006m
Carn MairgPerthshire1042m
Carn Mor DeargFort William1220m
Carn na CaimCairngorms941m
Carn nan GabharPerthshire1121m
Carn nan Gobhar (Loch Mullardoch)Loch Ness992m
Carn nan Gobhar (Strathfarrar)Loch Ness992m
Carn SgulainCairngorms920m
Chno DeargFort William1046m
Ciste DhubhKintail979m
Cona’ MheallUllapool978m
ConivalUllapool987m
Creag a’MhaimKintail947m
Creag LeacachCairngorms987m
Creag MeagaidhFort William1130m
Creag Mhor (Glen Lochay)Perthshire1047m
Creag Mhor (Meall na Aighean)Perthshire981m
Creag nan DamhKintail918m
Creag PitridhFort William924m
CreiseFort William1100m
Cruach ArdrainLoch Lomond1046m
Derry CairngormCairngorms1155m
DrieshAngus947m
Druim ShionnachKintail987m
Eididh nan Clach GealaUllapool927m
Fionn BheinnTorridon933m
GairichFort William919m
Garbh Chioch MhorFort William1013m
Geal CharnFort William1049m
Geal Charn (Monadhliath)Cairngorms926m
Geal-charn (Alder)Cairngorms1132m
Geal-charn (Drumochter)Cairngorms917m
Glas Bheinn MhorFort William997m
Glas MaolCairngorms1068m
Glas TulaicheanPerthshire1051m
GleouraichFort William1035m
GulvainFort William987m
Inaccessible PinnacleIslands986m
Ladhar BheinnFort William1020m
LochnagarCairngorms1155m
Luinne BheinnFort William939m
Lurg MhorTorridon986m
Mam SodhailLoch Ness1181m
Maoile LunndaidhTorridon1007m
Maol Chean-deargTorridon933m
Maol chinn-deargKintail981m
MayarAngus928m
Meall a’BhuiridhFort William1108m
Meall a’Choire LeithPerthshire926m
Meall a’ChrasgaidhUllapool934m
Meall Buidhe (Glen Lyon)Perthshire932m
Meall Buidhe (Knoydart)Fort William946m
Meall ChuaichCairngorms951m
Meall CorranaichPerthshire1069m
Meall Dearg (Aonach Eagach)Fort William953m
Meall Garbh (Ben Lawers)Perthshire1118m
Meall Garbh (Carn Mairg)Perthshire968m
Meall GhaordaidhPerthshire1039m
Meall GlasLoch Lomond959m
Meall GormUllapool949m
Meall GreighPerthshire1001m
Meall na TeangaFort William918m
Meall nan CeapraicheanUllapool977m
Meall nan EunFort William928m
Meall nan TarmachanPerthshire1044m
Monadh MorCairngorms1113m
MoruisgTorridon928m
Mount KeenAngus939m
Mullach an Rathain (Liathach)Torridon1023m
Mullach Clach a’BhlairCairngorms1019m
Mullach Coire Mhic FhearchairUllapool1019m
Mullach Fraoch-choireKintail1102m
Mullach nan CoireanFort William939m
Mullach nan DheiragainLoch Ness982m
Na GruagaicheanFort William1056m
Ruadh Stac MorUllapool918m
Ruadh-stac Mor (Beinn Eighe)Torridon1010m
Sail ChaorainnKintail1002m
SaileagKintail956m
SchiehallionPerthshire1083m
Seana BhraighUllapool926m
Sgairneach MhorCairngorms991m
Sgiath ChuilLoch Lomond921m
Sgor an Lochain UaineCairngorms1258m
Sgor GaibhreFort William955m
Sgor GaoithCairngorms1118m
Sgor na h-UlaidhFort William994m
Sgorr Dhearg (Beinn a’Bheithir)Fort William1024m
Sgorr Dhonuill (Beinn a’Bheithir)Fort William1001m
Sgorr nam Fiannaidh (Aonach Eagach)Fort William967m
Sgorr RuadhTorridon962m
Sgurr a’Bhealaich DheirgKintail1036m
Sgurr a’ChaorachainTorridon1053m
Sgurr a’Choire GhlaisLoch Ness1083m
Sgurr a’GhreadaidhIslands973m
Sgurr a’MhadaidhIslands918m
Sgurr a’MhaimFort William1099m
Sgurr a’MhaoraichFort William1027m
Sgurr AlasdairIslands992m
Sgurr an Doire LeathainKintail1010m
Sgurr an LochainKintail1004m
Sgurr BanUllapool989m
Sgurr BreacUllapool999m
Sgurr ChoinnichTorridon999m
Sgurr Choinnich MorFort William1094m
Sgurr Dubh MorIslands944m
Sgurr Eilde MorFort William1010m
Sgurr Fhuar-thuillLoch Ness1049m
Sgurr FhuaranKintail1067m
Sgurr Fiona (An Teallach)Ullapool1060m
Sgurr Mhic ChoinnichIslands948m
Sgurr MorUllapool1110m
Sgurr Mor (Beinn Alligin)Torridon986m
Sgurr Mor (Loch Quoich)Fort William1003m
Sgurr na BanachdichIslands965m
Sgurr na CarnachKintail1002m
Sgurr na CicheFort William1040m
Sgurr na Ciste DuibheKintail1027m
Sgurr na LapaichLoch Ness1150m
Sgurr na RuaidheLoch Ness993m
Sgurr na SgineKintail945m
Sgurr nan CeathreamhnanLoch Ness1151m
Sgurr nan Clach GealaUllapool1093m
Sgurr nan Coireachan (Glen Dessary)Fort William953m
Sgurr nan Coireachan (Glenfinnan)Fort William956m
Sgurr nan ConbhaireanKintail1109m
Sgurr nan EachUllapool923m
Sgurr nan EagIslands924m
Sgurr nan GilleanIslands964m
Sgurr ThuilmFort William963m
SliochTorridon981m
Spidean a’Choire Leith (Liathach)Torridon1055m
Spidean Coire nan Clach (Beinn Eighe)Torridon993m
Spidean MialachFort William996m
Sron a’Choire GhairbhFort William937m
Stob a’Choire MheadhoinFort William1106m
Stob a’Choire OdhairArgyll945m
Stob Ban (Grey Corries)Fort William977m
Stob Ban (Mamores)Fort William999m
Stob BinneinLoch Lomond1165m
Stob Choire ClaurighFort William1177m
Stob Coir an AlbannaichFort William1044m
Stob Coire a’ChairnFort William981m
Stob Coire an LaoighFort William1116m
Stob Coire EasainFort William1115m
Stob Coire Raineach (Buachaille Etive Beag)Fort William925m
Stob Coire SgreamhachFort William1072m
Stob Coire SgriodainFort William979m
Stob DaimhArgyll998m
Stob Dearg (Buachaille Etive Mor)Fort William1021m
Stob Dubh (Buachaille Etive Beag)Fort William956m
Stob GhabharArgyll1090m
Stob na Broige (Buachaille Etive Mor)Fort William956m
Stob Poite Coire ArdairFort William1054m
Stuc a’ChroinPerthshire975m
Stuchd an LochainPerthshire960m
The CairnwellCairngorms933m
The Devil’s PointCairngorms1004m
The SaddleKintail1010m
Toll CreagachLoch Ness1054m
TolmountCairngorms958m
Tom a’ChoinichLoch Ness1112m
Tom BuidheCairngorms957m
Tom na Gruagaich (Beinn Alligin)Torridon922m