MUNROS IN PERTHSHIRE
In 1891 Sir Hugh Munro, an original member of the Scottish Mountaineering Club, published his first Table of mountains in Scotland that are 3,000 ft (914.4 m) or higher. The name stuck, and although there have been some changes to the list over the years, those hills are today known as Munros. The activity of climbing them, often with the aim of eventually reaching all 283 summits, is sometimes referred to as Munro bagging.
Ben Nevis, as the highest mountain in Britain, is perhaps the best known Munro, but they are not all so demanding, and any reasonably fit walker can bag one or more Munros when on a walking holiday in Scotland. Joining a guided walk can be a good way of doing that. It's always worth the effort - reaching a Munro summit can offer stunning views and does give a great feeling of achievement.
If a bit of Munro climbing appeals to you, either in a guided walk or walking on your own, then Strathearn is an excellent central location for easy access to the Southern Highlands as well as being within striking distance of other famous mountain areas.
In the immediate vicinity, Ben Vorlich and Ben Chonzie are Munros which are straighforward to ascend, with good paths most or all of the way. In the Southern Highlands as a whole, Ben Lawers is the highest peak, set in a long sweeping ridge that includes six other Munros. To its west is Meall nan Tarmachan, which offers a wonderful ridge walk from a high start point.
Further north in Perthshire, with very easy access from the A9 road, are the Drumochter Hills. Walks to the summits of these heather clad mountains have the advantage of an elevated start, which makes them less strenuous although in mist it is important to be able to navigate in what can be relatively featureless terrain. Familiarity with map and compass is helpful for anyone on a walking holiday in Scotland, as is remembering always to carry waterproof clothing in case of rain.
Perthshire has many other wonderful mountains that offer options of routes that are suitable for a family walk or for a more demanding hike. Schiehallion is a strikingly beautiful Munro, owned by the John Muir Trust and with an excellent path. Glen Lyon is a fine long valley with Munros to the north and south and some lovely riverside walks and views down in the glen.
From Perthshire, mountain ranges with many Munros run west and north to famous areas such as Glencoe, Lochaber and the Cairngorms. But, as even hardened Munrobaggers will admit, the visitor on a walking holiday in Scotland does not need to bag Munros to enjoy them - they can be admired from below while enjoying lower level walks on heather moorland or grassy river banks.
Information, maps and directions for finding and climbing Munros in Perthshire are widely available locally from tourist information centres and outdoor activity shops as well as online.
Why not visit Crieff in Perthshire and join in the walks of the Drovers' Tryst -
