Explore the Munros with a Cicerone Guidebook

• Location
• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Maps
• Further Reading

The maps accompanying each route are drawn at 1:100,000 and based on Ordnance Survey data. The box at the start of each route makes reference to the 1:50,000 OS maps. With the notable except of one or two areas, such as the Black Cuillin on Skye, this is the scale of map that I personally prefer for climbing the Munros, and it is widely recognized as being a suitable scale of map for the hillwalker.

The relevant OS Explorer maps, which some people might prefer, are also listed. These 1:25,000 maps give much more detail. This can be advantageous at times, but it can also complicate the process of routefinding – particularly on steep ground where a lot of contours are packed very close together, or in areas where there is a lot of exposed rock. Sometimes more than one map is needed to cover the walk in question. Munros are listed on the covers of the Explorer maps in which they appear, but unfortunately some of these lists are currently inaccurate. Some hills that are not officially Munros have been accorded Munro status; others that are Munros have not been listed. No doubt this will be rectified in future editions of these maps.

The ‘area maps’ referred to in the box at the start of each route correspond to those at the start of the book; these are designed to give a broad view of where each Munro lies in relation to major roads and also to neighbouring Munros. The overview map of Scotland accompanying these area maps shows the location of each area within Scotland as a whole.

The sketch maps accompanying each route description are designed to assist in planning route-finding. They are not intended to be a replacement for the OS maps for the purposes of navigation, and it is strongly recommended that the appropriate OS map is carried at all times. Harvey also make an excellent series of maps for some of the areas described.

If you are using different maps, or an older edition of the OS maps, you should bear in mind that spot heights and names may vary from those in the?text.