And those hills, scattered all over Scotland, from Ben Lomond in the South to Ben Hope in the north, and Sgurr na Banachdich in the west to Mount Keen in the east, offer no end of challenging and immensely enjoyable days out, in all seasons.

A bit of a mixed trip based at Ullapool which combined a cycle ride to Seana Braigh, a classic round of An Teallach and the crossing of the Deargs. All 3 days though were 6 hours plus and all good days. Seana Braigh really had that remote feel that is so much part of the whole experience. Day 1 Looking at a few guidebooks maself so folk can buy me crimbo presents I've had the Munros by Cameron Mcneish for years. Hardly look at it. I also have "The Grahams, Andrew Dempster. The variety of the Munros is worth a mention at this stage. I have been very fortunate in that many of the best mountains I have done in good weather . The Aonach Eagach and the Cuillin were both bathed in hot sunshine, as was my most enjoyable day on the hills on Ladhven. I also had some great weather on my Cairngorm 2 day trip, the Letterewe Forest was good the first time and even the North Mullardoch hills gave good views. By contrast Lurg Mhor and Sgurr na Ciche were bloody awful. So if I was blessed on the good hills how about the majority. The figures I have detailed below tell a story but 54% of all my summits had no view at all, maybe this is not so bad. There is no doubt the mountains get better the further north and west you get and any hill north of the glen is usually worth double its southern neighbour. Not only do the north western highlands have the advantage of sea scape but they are also sharper, more dramatic often with a little entertaining scrambling to boot. The Cuillin are the best and I will always return to them but the landscape in the Far north, particularly Sutherland is unsurpassed. However, south of the Great glen I have always enjoyed the Cairngorm plateau, striding out endlessly being a real pleasure. Further south it becomes more difficult to generate so much enthusiasm. Part of this is because they were climbed more often than not on 2 day escapes from Yorkshire on my own with a night or two spent in the car. Of those south of the Glen there are very few I will revisit (although ironically my only threeser is Ben Starav!). In the pubThe figure then turns to face north-east with the merciless wind now thankfully behind him. The manic, turbulent gusts are now whipping up snow

The maps are grouped in areas of Munros, such as Glen Affric and Kintail, Glen Cannich to Glen Carron and Glen Roy to the Monadhliath. A late start ensured a high camp on the Fannichs. The ridge is probably achievable in a day but it was good to split the ridge up and similar to the Cairngorms camp high on the hillside. The longest tour undertaken, 6 days in the hills. Day 1 Climbing the Munros can easily become a passion. Starting off on the right foot with suitable equipment, understanding the skills required and taking time to get necessary training, information and safety skills will lay the foundation for many enjoyable and safe days in the hills.During that winter’s day of 22 January 1891, Hugh Munro had completed a 20-mile mountain traverse from Blair Atholl to Dirnanean. An hour later, a thawed out, bathed and freshly dressed Munro sat before a roaring log fire with dram in hand, awaiting dinner. He would certainly deserve it.

I would surmise that such ample compensation would struggle to exert itself on his Beinn a’ Ghlò traverse of 1891! A strange post foot and mouth tour dotting up and down the A9. The Glen Lyon 4, Braeriach and the two to the south off Courour Halt were all completed Day 1

We hired a guide for Day 2 over the Inaccessible Pinnacle to Sgurr Alasdair. After the midge JP and myself then climbed Blaven Day 1 it cannot be denied that some few disadvantages attend winter and early Spring climbing, but I am sure that all who have tried it will agree that the pleasure derived is more than ample compensation. Munro, H, ‘Winter Ascents’ in Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal volume 1, 1890, pp. 20–24. The mapping of Scotland’s mountains has been closely intertwined with the 40-year life of HARVEY Maps, so we have included a little about the history, the people and the philosophy of the Company. A long drive over to Fort William preceded a long slog up Carn mor Dearg. I was pretty tired before we summited, again the weather was cloudy but not bad. The crossing on to the Aonachs was simple though. As we were in cloud all the time there was no appreciation of the height and scale of the hills although Barry did have an Eureka moment on the crossing. I know what he meant – they do not happen that much. We had a long, steep descent in to Glen Nevis which was enlivened by winding the dog up by taking different courses down and calling her from one to another. She loved it Day 3