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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 30 May, 2023
Expert travel writer: Lucy Gillmore

Bagging a Munro sounds far more exciting than ‘climbing a mountain’ but that is essentially what it boils down to.

Munros are Scottish mountains over 3,000ft high, named after Sir Hugh Munro who first catalogued the peaks as ‘Munro’s Tables,’ in 1891. There are 282 munros in Scotland, the most famous, Ben Nevis, is the country’s highest peak at 4,411ft.

Bagging munros is a traditional Scottish activity, the ultimate goal to reach the summit of all 282. The first person to achieve this was A.E. Robertson in 1901 and since then over 6,000 ‘compleatists’ or Munroists have bagged them all.

Climb Ben Lomond
Experience

Climb Ben Lomond

Loch Lomond, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

On the eastern shore of stunning Loch Lomond, the country’s most southerly – and popular – Munro soars to a height of 3,176ft. There’s a good path which rises gradually to the summit from where you have spectacular views of the loch. Directions here.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 4-6 hours

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Climb Ben Nevis

Fort William, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

The highest mountain in Britain, ‘The Ben’ is a challenging but rewarding Munro ‘to bag’.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free | Full day

Climb Ben Wyvis
Experience

Climb Ben Wyvis

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

Just northwest of Inverness this is a straightforward Munro for beginners to bag with spellbinding views of the Highlands from the summit. Directions here.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 4-6 hours

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Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: 2+ hours

Getting there & doing it

There are Munros scattered all across Scotland, each with a different USP, some straightforward to climb, others, such as Skye’s Black Cuillins, more challenging.

You can do many independently but there are also plenty of mountain guides who can take you to the summit.

One of the most useful websites is the Scottish Mountaineering Club which maintains the list of Munros and compleators. It also has a useful Munros App.

When to do it

Even if you are an experienced mountaineer, it is better to avoid the winter months because of snow, ice and the possibility of a sudden deterioration in the weather – and limited daylight hours.

Summer is peak season so the more popular peaks, especially Ben Nevis, are likely to be crowded. Do your research, pick a peak that’s off the beaten tourist track and suitable for your level of expertise and fitness.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Boath House

Nairn, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[27.5 miles]

Elegant Georgian mansion, now gourmet hotel, with an extensive art collection and gorgeous gardens.

Official star rating:

Foyers Lodge

Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[28.5 miles]

A quirky and characterful Victorian lodge on the quieter south side of Loch Ness, with tree-fringed views over the water.

Official star rating:

Links House at Royal Dornoch

Dornoch, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[46.3 miles]

A sumptuous honey-hued manse dripping with antiques, overlooking world-class Dornoch golf course and a stunning, dune-backed beach.

Official star rating:

Fife Arms

Braemar , Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[72.2 miles]

This Victorian hotel in Braemar is the place to stay for those seeking a sumptuous, maximalist, modern art-clad Highland hideaway.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Scottish Highlands

Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (UK)

Magnificent mountain scenery slashed by silvery lochs and peppered with brooding castles: all laden with rich Scottish heritage, history and tradition.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Golfing in Scotland

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[0 miles]

Scotland is known as the birthplace of golf and is renowned for exceptional golf courses, rich tradition and unsurpassed golfing history.

Best for ages: 13+ | £285

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Cruise the Scottish Highlands

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[0.1 miles]

Sail through Scotland’s mesmerising Highlands along the dramatic Caledonian Canal, taking in spectacular landscapes, craggy castles, whisky distilleries and glassy lochs, as well as the islands and waterways of the Inner Hebrides.

Best for ages: 13+ | Varies | 5-7 days

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Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Fort George
Experience

Fort George

Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[15 miles]

This 18th-century coastal fortress, still a working barracks, overlook the Moray Firth built after the Battle of Culloden to house the British army. You can wander around the complex, dipping into the regimental museum, checking out the historical tableaux depicting soldiers’ lives and climbing up onto the canon-peppered battlements.

Best for ages: 13+ | £10

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Cawdor Castle & Gardens
Experience

Cawdor Castle & Gardens

Cawdor, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[18.7 miles]

A place of pilgrimage for Shakespeare scholars (Macbeth was the Thane of Cawdor), this ancient fortress complete with drawbridge, turrets and towers dates back to the 14th century and is furnished with rare Flemish tapestries, oil paintings and fine antiques. The walled gardens peppered with contemporary sculptures are also a highlight.

Best for ages: 8+ | £14

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Ruined castle in the foreground, the loch stretches away behind
Experience

Urquhart Castle

Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[21.3 miles]

This former medieval fortress, on the shore of the loch, once was the home of Scotland’s Grant Clan. Built in the 13th century, it was subsequently destroyed by the English in 1692 following the crushing of the Jacobite Rebellion at Culloden. You can watch a film of its history in the visitor centre.

Best for ages: 13+ | £10

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Aerial view of a large waterfall
Experience

Falls of Foyers

Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[29.7 miles]

Hike up to the 165-feet high Falls of Foyers to see a famous optical illusion. Stare at the water then flick your eyes sideways to see the rock wall move upwards. The waterfall feeds into Loch Ness.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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