Introductory Ascents of Some Scottish Munros
Suggestions for First Attempts at Some of Scotland's High Mountains
Mar 10, 2009
Sir Hugh Munro first made a list of Scotland’s 3000-foot (914 metres) mountains in 1891. Many of these are serious undertakings, particularly in less than perfect weather, and require considerable experience and mountain skills. Given good conditions, however, a well equipped mountain walker can reach some of the summits in a reasonable time and without too much effort. These particular mountains can be readily retreated from if the weather suddenly deteriorates, which it often does.
From Loch Lomond's Banks to Ben Lomond Summit
The most southerly Munro is best approached from the eastern shore of Loch Lomond. From the car park at the road end, a broad footpath, easy to follow, leads through woodland and up open hillside to the summit, from which there are extensive views of the loch and the Southern Highlands.
Ben Vorlich from the Shore of Loch Earn
There are two Ben Vorlichs. The easier one lies to the south of Loch Earn. A good track leads south from the lake shore, passes through deciduous woodland and makes for a broad grassy ridge, which leads steadily to the summit. The slopes beyond, leading to Stuc a’ Chroin, another Munro, are very rugged, and give one a sense of what climbing Munros can involve.
Beinn Ghlas from a Visitor Centre Above Loch Tay
The Ben Lawers Visitor Centre stands at a height of 450 metres (1477 feet), and can be reached by a narrow, though quite good road to the north of Loch Tay. This gives a good starting height for an ascent of Beinn Ghlas. After crossing boggy ground on a wooden boardwalk, one can follow an obvious track up the grassy hillside directly to the summit. This is one of the higher Munros, so the views over Loch Tay are impressive. On the far side, the ground falls to a saddle before rising to Ben Lawers, which at 1214 metres (3983 feet) is the highest Scottish peak below 4000 feet.
Meall Ghaordaidh, Glen Lochay's Modest Mountain
To the north of Killin, a quiet road runs along Glen Lochay. About six miles along this, one can begin the ascent of Meall Ghaordaidh. The slopes are gentle and grassy, some might say uninteresting, and lead steadily to the broad summit, from which the views over Glen Lyon are pleasantly panoramic rather than spectacular.
Meall Buidh and Stuchd an Lochain
Glen Lyon can be reached from the road that runs past the Ben Lawers Visitor Centre. A few miles to the west of the junction with the valley road, a subsidiary road ends at the dam of Loch an Daimh, from which two Munros are readily accessible. As the starting point is at 430 metres (1411 feet), Meall Buidh to the north and Stuchd an Lochain to the south can each be reached in around two hours. In fact so convenient are these two peaks that some energetic walkers climb one in the morning, then return to the dam ready to climb the other in the afternoon.
The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda
The Glen Shee Ski Centre stands at the highest point of the A93 road, south of Braemar. With a starting height of around 660 metres (2166 feet), an ascent of possibly the easiest Munro, The Cairnwell, can be accomplished in under an hour. Unfortunately, the hillsides have been scarred by the skiing infrastructure, which detracts from the scenery, but the fine, panoramic views, north to the Cairngorms and east over Glen Shee are adequate compensation. After returning to the saddle, one can climb the stony slopes of Carn Aosda with little extra effort, and so add two Munros to the tally in as few hours.
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