Scotland’s Mountain Ridges - A Guide to Scrambles and Climbs

A rich mix of summer scrambles, technical rock and challenging winter climbs on Scotland’s ridges. Covers the popular classics and obscure gems, from the remote Cairngorms to the splendour of the Cuillin. With inspirational photographs, the book is both a celebration of the landscape and a practical route guide.

Eyes to the Hills, Gordon Stainforth (Constable 1991): A combination of evocative photographs of the British mountains, and thoughtful musings.

Scotland’s Winter Mountains, Martin Moran (David & Charles 1988): Essential tips and skills covering every aspect of the winter game, but also an inspiring read.

100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains, Ralph Storer (David & Charles 1987): Is there a better hillwalking guidebook?

Scrambles in Lochaber, Noel Williams (Cicerone 1996): Details dozens of routes in this major mountain area.

The Hillwalker’s Guide to Mountaineering, Terry Adby and Stuart Johnston (Cicerone 2003): Should be the first resort of every aspiring climber.

The Undiscovered Country, Phil Bartlett (The Ernest Press 1993): An erudite history of climbing, and an accomplished analysis of why we do it. An ambitious work, not yet bettered.

Mountaineering in Scotland, W.H. Murray (Dent 1947): A must-read; redolent of a past era, and yet still relevant today.

SMC area guides: The definitive climber’s reference books to Scotland.

The material and symbolic production of landscape in the crofting counties, Ronald Macintyre (forthcoming PHD thesis), a fascinating – if weighty – analysis of land use in the Highlands, and of our perceptions and representations of the Scottish landscape.

Medicine for Mountaineering & Other Wilderness Activities, James A. Wilkerson (Ed) (The Mountaineers 1992): You’ll hopefully never need it; but should the worst happen then here’s what to do.