It's time to bag one of these munros in Scotland

What is a Munro?

A Munro is a mountain found in Scotland, first catalogued by Sir Hugh Munro in 1891. There is some debate as to what is a Munro and what isn’t, but the current list was made by a committee of the Scottish Mountaineering Council and that’s good enough for us!

Scottish mountains map

Our top 5 list of Scottish mountains

1. Ben Vane 3,002 feet

First on our list of Scottish mountains we have Ben Vane, the Munro that provides the backdrop to Ardgartan Argyll. At 3,002 feet this Munro qualifies with just 2 feet to spare, but don’t be fooled by this! it’s a rugged mountain that will test your stamina. Ben Vane is just a 20-minute drive from Ardgartan Argyll.

2. Ben Lomond 3,196 feet

If you’re looking for Munros near Glasgow, then Ben Lomond is the one for you. A good Munro for beginners due to its clear path up to the summit and a whopping 3,196 feet high, Ben Lomond rivals Ben Nevis for being the most climbed Munro in Scotland. This popular Munro offers beautiful views of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, which is why over 30,000 people climb to the summit each year. You might also be greeted with a sighting of peregrine falcons, merlin and even golden eagles. Ben Lomond is about an hour’s drive from Strathyre along the Duke’s Pass.

3. Stuc a’Chroin 3,199 feet

Stuc a’Chroin looks very similar to its neighbour Ben Vorlich from a distance but presents more of a challenge when up close. These two Munros are usually bagged consecutively, with the climb to the summit of Ben Vorlich being followed by a dip to the bealach, or mountain pass, following a difficult and rocky ascent to the summit of Stuc a’Chroin.

4. Ben Vorlich 3,232 feet

If you’re looking for Munros near Edinburgh, then you may want to consider Ben Vorlich at Loch Earn, not to be confused with Ben Vorlich at Arrochar Alps! The climb offers breath-taking views across Loch Lubnaig at Strathyre and its neighbouring peak, Stuc a’Chroin, right down to Loch Earn and across to Ben Lawers on Loch Tay. Ben Vorlich is about a 30-minute drive from Strathyre and the beautiful hot tub lodge holidays it holds.

5. Beinn Ime 3,317 feet

Last on our list of Scottish mountains is Beinn Ime. At 3,317 feet it's the highest Munro in the Arrochar Alps and has four routes to the summit. If you're staying at Ardgartan Argyll we suggest you take the route from Loch Long car park, just a 3-minute drive from our cabins.

Be prepared for the challenge

You should allow a whole day to bag one of these Munros and ensure that you are prepared for all kinds of weather! Don’t forget to pack enough provisions for the journey and if you still have questions read on to discover frequently asked questions about Munros in Scotland…

Frequently asked questions about Munros in Scotland

How high is a Munro?

Munros in Scotland are mountains over 3,000 feet.

Where are Munros Scotland?

With 282 Munros in Scotland to choose from we’re sure you’ll be spoilt for choice. For more information visit the Munros Scotland map.

How many Munros in Scotland?

If you’re wondering how many Munros in Scotland, you’ll find a grand total of 282, with the highest and most popular Munro being Ben Nevis at 4,411 feet.

What is Munro bagging?

Munro bagging is a popular activity in Scotland where walking enthusiasts challenge themselves to climb as many of the peaks as they can.

Munros in Scotland with the best views

Ben Nevis offers some of the best views with crags and cliffs holding snow all year round. On a clear day the views are far and wide! Beinn Eighe is another Munro offering great views and boasting 7 peaks. Blaven is recognised as one of the most beautiful mountains in Scotland. The northern summit is the Munro, and the southern summit is given Munro Top status. Both summits offer spectacular views in all directions, with a panorama of the Cuillin Ridge on clear days.

5 top Munros in Scotland for beginners

If you’re new to Munro bagging, then you might be looking for Munros for beginners, so we’ve listed our top 5 Munros for beginners to bag to get you started. You’ll need a good fitness level and navigational skills to bag the Munros on this list.

1. Ben Chonzie (Height: 3,054 feet): Offering beautiful views across Glen Turret and Loch Turret, Ben Chonzie is a popular choice for beginners due to its clear path and spectacular scenery.
2. Fionn Bheinn (Height: 3,061 feet): Enjoy sweeping views from the summit of Fionn Bheinn, but dress appropriately as the terrain can be quire boggy in areas.
3. Mount Keen (Height: 3,080 feet): With beautiful views across open moorland, Mount Keen is ideal for beginners due to its easy path to the summit via Glen Esk. You might even spot the famous red deer en-route.
4. Ben Lomond (Height: 3,195 feet): Boasting a clear path, gradually ascending the summit, and offering the best views of Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond is a popular choice and for a very good reason!
5. Broad Cairn (Height: 3,274 feet): Featuring views across Loch Muick, Broad Cairn is one of five Munros in the White Mounth plateau renowned for its views across the freshwater loch.

Pet-friendly Munros in Scotland

If you’re looking for pet-friendly Munros to bring your dog along for the ride then we have you covered. Ben Lomond is one of Scotland’s most popular summits and fit dogs with equally fit humans will enjoy this climb.

We recommend you set off from the Rowardennan car park on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond. Follow the path and climb through the woods until you reach an uphill path through a clearing in the forest. You will see a peek of Loch Lomond at this point, remember to keep your dog close as livestock graze in this area. It gets steep so make sure you have plenty to keep you hydrated and stop for regular breaks if necessary.

To reach the bottom you can use the same path or take another route down the Ptarmigan Ridge, making the walk a circular route. This trail is even and well-used, but can get muddy and rocky in places, so take this into consideration when choosing your route.