Scottish Mountains

Scotland is a country well known for its mountains - from the rugged landscape of the Highlands in the north and west to the hills of the Southern Uplands to the south. Even the relatively low-lying area around the Rivers Forth and Clyde are not exactly flat.

The highest mountain in Scotland (and Britain) is Ben Nevis at 1343m/4406ft. Any mountain over 914m/3000ft is known as a Munro; those less than 3000ft, but higher than 2500ft, are referred to as a Corbetts.

The following sites will be of use to anyone interested in hill walking in Scotland:

The Scottish Mountaineering Club was founded in 1889 and is one Scotland’s oldest mountaineering clubs.
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland is the representative body for climbers, walkers, mountaineers and cross-country skiers who enjoy the Scottish mountains.
Scottish Hills is the place to discuss all things related to hill walking in Scotland

The following Gaelic words are used which mean mountain or hill:

aonach (can also mean ridge);
beinn or ben;
cnoc;
monadh (can also refer to a mountain range);
sgor, sgorr or sgurr.
Carn (or cairn) usually refers to a mound or heap of stones, but has also been used in naming mountains. Coire, meaning corrie, refers to a hollow in a mountain – usually near the top.