Munro bagging

We started our family munro journey this year. At 8 and 11 we thought they were probably at an age to enjoy it and also big enough to carry their own food and drink which makes a big difference (especially when I’m usually lugging up a heavy camera). We are ‘fair weather hikers’. Even without the kids, I don’t have much interest being up a munro in horrendous weather. We use Walk Highlands to plan all our hikes, followed up with map planning and a check of the Mountain Weather information Service. We overpack. Lots of layers and food and a first aid kit.

We’ve made a start on some of the ‘easier’ munros though l have to point out that there isn’t really an ‘easy’ munro - they are just easier compared to other munros and usually have well defined paths.

First up was Meall Nan Tarmachan - this is a great first munro and although the kids had a good moan about the ‘fake summit’, they enjoyed this hike and the views from the summit. From the top we could look over to the imposing Ben Lawers (the tenth highest munro in Scotland). It wasn’t originally our intention but two days later we headed off to climb up Ben Lawers crossing off Beinn Ghlas on the way. It was a baking hot day and we ended up stopping for a good amount of time at the top to have lunch and take in the views. As is standard on munro hikes, the descent felt much longer than it should have but we took the time to dip our toes in a little stream to cool them down and refresh us for the remaining hike.

Later in the season and following our first encounter with Covid, we headed up Mayar and Driesh in the Angus Glens. We headed into the purple heather drenched Corrie Fee - even if you have no intention of heading up the munros, the walk into Corrie Fee is absolutely worth doing. From Mayar, it’s a relatively straightforward summit walk with only a little bit of a climb to Driesh so it makes sense to combine them. This walk ended up taking us a lot longer than we anticipated and overall we didn’t find it ‘easy’ as its claimed to be. It was however the first time we had been out exercising since our nasty bout with Covid which perhaps explains why we felt so weary.

Other than my youngest, we’ve all done separate munros but we are now keeping a record of doing them as a family. At our current rate, we’ll never finish them all but I’m not sure that’s even the point. It’s more about introducing the kids to different experiences, getting them to push themselves and take in all of this incredible beauty. How lucky we are to live in Scotland.

Between Mayar and Driesh and starting the descent. Quick phone pic.

This year, the plan is to climb another 5 but here we are almost into August and yet to start. The kids are very keen to climb our local - Lochnagar (one of my favourites) so l think we are going to warm up with the Cairnwell munros (The Cairnwell, Càrn Aosda and Càrn a'Ghèoidh) before giving it a go. Number 5 is still to be decided but with time and distance considerations - it might well end up being another close one like mount Keen.