Hot off the press is the new Cicerone guidebook Walking the Corbetts (Volume 1: South of the Great Glen). This first volume describes the most interesting ascents of the 112 peaks south of the Great Glen, in 95 routes.
What is a Corbett? The Corbetts are peaks in Scotland between 2500 and 2999ft in height, with a drop of 500ft on all sides.
Those who know the Scottish Highlands won’t need telling that Scotland has some of the most magnificent mountain and coastal scenery in the world. So why bother with the Corbetts when there are over 280 Munros to go at? I caught up the author Brian Johnson to find out more about exploring some of Scotlands less well-known peaks.
Brian says “Here are just a few compelling reasons to broaden your horizons a little.
• There are Corbetts in many areas not covered by the Munros. When I’m asked where to visit in Scotland, I always suggest heading as far north and west as possible, where rocky mountains interact with the fjord-like western seaboard to produce spectacular scenery. These are the areas where there are far more Corbetts than Munros. There are no Munros in Ardgour, Moidart or the islands of Harris, Rum, Jura or Arran, and very few in the far north.
• It is often possible to climb a Corbett when the weather is too severe to climb the Munros, and you often get better views for the simple reason that the Corbetts are frequently cloud-free when the Munros are socked in.
Beinn Shiantaidh from Beinn an Oir
• The lower altitude means the walks tend to be a little shorter, which can be an advantage for those staying in hotels who want to climb a mountain between breakfast and dinner. Corbetts can also be a better proposition during the short daylight hours in winter.
• The Corbetts can offer the solitude you won’t find on the Munros. Many of the Corbetts are rarely climbed and have not suffered from the human disturbance that is often seen on the Munros.
• For those walkers who have already ‘compleated’ the Munros, the Corbetts provide another challenge.
I was continually surprised by finding routes up delightful wild glens. In many ways it’s the glens that make the magnificent scenery we see in Scotland, and this guidebook is as much about exploring the glens as it is about climbing the peaks.”
Volume 2: Northern Highland and Islands is due to be published later next year.
Tags: 9781852846527
