Hills & Mountains
(NEW PAGE - Currently under construction)
The Cuillin, Isle of Skye
*I am in the process of redesigning this section to include notes and many more high-res shots*
For almost 40 years now I`ve often wandered over the hills of my native Scotland and explored the great outdoors. Initially hooked on `Munro bagging,` I stopped making a determined effort to climb all of the country`s 3,000ft peaks many years ago. Gradually, I lost my enthusiasm for plodding on through clouds to reach a windswept cairn, with no prospect of a view, just to earn another tick in the book.
My attention has re-focused on photography and, although I still enjoy venturing onto the hills, albeit not as often as I`d like, my aim is now to record the landscape, wildlife and any associated historical points of interest with my camera. Unfortunately, just before the digital revolution. I made the cardinal error of binning the vast majority of my 35mm slides and negatives which, with the advance of computer technology could have been enlarged and printed relatively cheaply to show the scene as it should be, rather than having to settle for a machine-produced batch of prints, run through at the same setting irrespective of lighting conditions and exposure. Some images from my earlier outings have survived and these have been scanned or copied to supplement those taken more recently with digital equipment.
My attention has re-focused on photography and, although I still enjoy venturing onto the hills, albeit not as often as I`d like, my aim is now to record the landscape, wildlife and any associated historical points of interest with my camera. Unfortunately, just before the digital revolution. I made the cardinal error of binning the vast majority of my 35mm slides and negatives which, with the advance of computer technology could have been enlarged and printed relatively cheaply to show the scene as it should be, rather than having to settle for a machine-produced batch of prints, run through at the same setting irrespective of lighting conditions and exposure. Some images from my earlier outings have survived and these have been scanned or copied to supplement those taken more recently with digital equipment.
Many more images of Scotland`s hills and mountains can be found in my Stock Photography Archive Click Here to view. Additional shots and information can be found on my Blog Clydeside Images.com. Please note that my images are subject to copyright, they are not free to use and have been embedded with a digital watermark.
I`ve divided my Scottish Hill and Mountain shots into the following sections, each of which includes not just the Munros but any lower hills I`ve climbed, as well as some low-level and coastal walks. The areas are only loosely defined and do not follow the Scottish Mountaineering Club groupings exactly, an example being my Bridge of Orchy / Black Mount section which also includes Ben Cruachan and the hills around Oban. If you wish to view an entry for a particular mountain or location and the relevant link is not obvious, please use the search box at the top of this page.
Tom Weir
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This long overdue memorial to Tom Weir MBE (29.12.1914 - 6.7.2006) was unveiled at Balmaha on 29 December 2014 by Cameron McNeish and Jimmie MacGregor MBE in the presence of Tom`s widow, Rhona (since deceased) and hundreds of lovers of the Scottish countryside.
The statue was sculpted by Sean Hedges-Quinn, and although it`s a fine piece of work I, having met Tom a couple of times, including at the summit of Stob Ghabhar over 30 years ago on his 70th birthday, don`t think it captures his character. The memorial does, however, honour Tom`s major contribution to introducing generations to Scotland`s great outdoors through his adventures as a climber, writer, broadcaster, naturalist and pioneering campaigner for the protection of the Scottish environment. |
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This large cairn stands at the viewpoint beside the A82 above Loch Tulla, between Bridge of Orchy and the Black Mount. The memorial was built in 2000 by W.G. Park and is dedicated to the memory of the numerous mountaineers who have lost their lives in the Scottish hills over the years.
The country`s peaks should always be treated with respect and can be particularly challenging during winter conditions which often occur irrespective of the season. Snow storms can be encountered at any time of the year and extreme weather can quickly take its toll on the unprepared or ill-equipped.
The cairn also commemorates Sir Hugh T. Munro of Lindertis who was responsible for climbing and classifying all Scottish summits reaching 3,000ft and above. The publication of Munro`s Tables in 1891 (since amended and reprinted several times) gave rise to the now popular pastime of `Munro Bagging` where walkers and mountaineers attempt to climb all of the peaks on the list. Purists include not only the main summits but also any subsidiary tops which form part of the mountain. |
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Park collected a total of 795 stones from the Scottish Munros and tops which were used to form the cairn and the stone on top was taken from the ruins of Munro`s old home of Lindertis. Sir Hugh Munro never managed to climb all of his 3,000ft peaks before he died. He had still to ascend two peaks on the mainland and the Inaccessible Pinnacle (below) of Sgurr Dearg on Skye. He was content to class the uppermost point of the mountain`s flat top as the summit and ignored the clearly higher but seemingly impossibly difficult projection of rock. (to edit*)
Above: The Cairngorm Plateau
Golden Eagle flying above the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Ben Lomond from Loch Ard
The Tarmachan Ridge