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.
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
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