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Scotland's Best Small Mountains

40 of the best mountains in Scotland under 3000ft

Scotland's Best Small Mountains

40 of the best mountains in Scotland under 3000ft

A guidebook to 40 of the best small mountains in Scotland under 3000ft (non-Munros). The best for beauty, views, character, history and location, and all suitable for walkers, the guidebook explores hills in the far north, Torridon, Lochaber, the Great Glen, the Cairngorms, Glencoe, Arrochar, the Trossachs and Skye, Eigg, Mull and Arran.

Scotland's best mountains are not all Munros. From the rocky pinnacle of Suilven in Sutherland to the jagged Storr on Skye and the iconic Cobbler above Arrochar, the country's peaks under 3000ft are every bit as spectacular and rewarding as their taller neighbours.

Curated by author Kirstie Shirra, this second edition Cicerone guidebook to Scotland's Best Small Mountains covers 40 of the country's most distinctive summits under 3000ft across seven regions. Walks range from 5 to 25km with options to suit all abilities, from a first day on the Scottish hills to a seasoned hillwalker seeking something new.

  • 40 hand-picked summits are described across seven regions, from Sutherland and Torridon to Glencoe, the Trossachs and the islands of Skye, Eigg, Mull and Arran
  • Iconic summits are covered, including Suilven, Quinag, Stac Pollaidh, the Storr, the Pap of Glencoe, the Cobbler, Ben Venue, Goatfell and An Sgurr on Eigg
  • 1:50,000 OS mapping and GPX downloads provided for every route, with one main ascent per mountain plus alternative traverses, circuits and shortcuts
  • A Gaelic glossary of common mountain features helps walkers connect with the landscape and its names
  • Practical planning and access information throughout, with guidance on getting to and around all seven regions of Scotland covered in the guidebook

The Munros are just the beginning. This guidebook is proof that Scotland's most memorable mountain days have nothing to do with height and everything to do with character.

Scotland's Best Small Mountains - Quick Facts

Area: Scotland-wide, spanning seven regions 
What is covered: 40 of Scotland's best non-Munro summits under 3000ft (914m) 
Total walks: 40 
Walk distances: 5 to 25km 
Walk duration: 2 to 8 hours 
Regions covered: Sutherland and the far north, Torridon and the northwest, Lochaber and the west, the Great Glen to the Cairngorms, Glencoe and central Scotland, Arrochar and the Trossachs, the islands 
Islands covered: Skye, Eigg, Mull, Arran 
Summit highlights: Suilven, Quinag, Stac Pollaidh, the Storr, Beinn Damh, Pap of Glencoe, the Cobbler, Ben Ledi, Ben Venue, Goatfell, An Sgurr (Eigg) 
Selection criteria: Beauty, views, character, history and location 
Difficulty: All abilities; routes range in length and difficulty, with alternative options given 
Best season: Year-round; winter walking on higher routes requires appropriate skills and equipment 
Mapping: 1:50,000 OS maps included for every walk 
Digital navigation: Downloadable GPX files included 
Special features: History and character notes for each mountain; Gaelic glossary of mountain features

Author Highlight

“This book champions just some of Scotland’s best smaller mountains, each of which has been selected for its character, location, views, historical significance, technical difficulty or simply its beauty. From the surreal and striking landscape of the Storr in Skye, the pagan festivals of Ben Ledi in the Trossachs, to the imposing and rugged ridges of Quinag in Sutherland, this guide is, in its own way, ‘an antidote to Munro-bagging’.”

- Kirstie Shirra, author of Scotland's Best Small Mountains


Printed book

A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.

ISBN
9781786311320
Availability
Published
Published
29 Jan 2024
Edition
Second
Pages
240
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.70cm
Weight
260g

eBook

The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device. To access your eBook, you will need an eReader app. For more details, visit the eBook FAQs. 


CONTENTS

OS map key

Overview Map

Route Summary Table

Introduction

Walking in Scotland

Wildlife

The History of Scotland

Getting there

Getting around

Accommodation

Weather

When to go

Winter walking

Mountain safety

Access

Using this guide

Sutherland and the Far North

Route 1 Ben Loyal

Route 2 Quinag

Route 3 Suilven

Route 4 Cul Mor

Route 5 Stac Pollaidh

Route 6 Ben More Coigach and Sgurr an Fhidhleir

Torridon and the Northwest

Route 7 Beinn Ghobhlach

Route 8 Beinn Airigh Charr

Route 9 Baosbheinn

Route 10 Sgurr Dubh

Route 11 Beinn Damh

Lochaber and the West

Route 12 Sgurr Coire Choinnichean

Route 13 Streap

Route 14 Rois-bheinn, An Stac, Sgurr na Ba Glaise and Druim Fiaclach

Route 15 Sgurr Dhomhnuill

Route 16 Beinn Resipol

Route 17 Ben Hiant

The Great Glen to the Cairngorms

Route 18 Creagan a’Chaise and the Hills of Cromdale

Route 19 Meall Fuar-mhonaidh

Route 20 Meall a’Bhuachaille

Route 21 Creag Dhubh and the Argyll Stone

Route 22 Creag Dhubh (Newtonmore)

Route 23 Morrone (or Morven)

Glencoe and Central Scotland

Route 24 Ben Vrackie

Route 25 Leum Uilleim

Route 26 Sgorr na Ciche (Pap of Glencoe)

Route 27 Beinn a’Chrulaiste

Route 28 Beinn Trilleachan

Route 29 Sron a’Chlachain

Arrochar and the Trossachs

Route 30 Meall an t-Seallaidh

Route 31 Ben Ledi

Route 32 Ben A’an

Route 33 Ben Venue

Route 34 The Cobbler (Ben Arthur)

Route 35 Beinn an Lochain

The Islands

Route 36 The Storr (Skye)

Route 37 Glamaig (Skye)

Route 38 An Sgurr (Eigg)

Route 39 Dun da Ghaoithe (Mull)

Route 40 Goatfell (Arran)

Appendix A Useful contacts

Appendix B Bibliography

Appendix C Glossary of Gaelic words for Common Mountain Features


Seasons

Routes for all seasons

Centres

with routes right across Scotland, split into seven areas, wherever you are, there are some of Scotland’s best small mountains to explore

Difficulty

with routes that range in length and difficulty and alternative options given, there is something for everyone whether you’re an experienced walker or new to Scotland’s mountains

Must See

an antidote to Munro-bagging. Routes the prove that size isn’t everything. 40 of Scotland’s most interesting, loved and distinctive peaks, including Suilven, Quinag, the Pap of Glencoe, Beinn Damh, the Storr, Goatfell and the Cobbler


Scotland's Best Small Mountains - GPX File GPX File
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