Scotland

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.