Munro Legacy

The term ‘Munros’, used to describe Scotland’s mountains of 3,000 feet and over, is well known. Less well known is how the term came about and the man to whom it applies. This exhibition is presented by the Munro Society and tells the story of Scotland’s mountains as a source of recreation from its 19th century beginnings to the present day and, in particular, the contribution of the man whose name is used to describe Scotland’s highest mountains.

Most Scots have heard of “Munro Bagging” but few will appreciate the origins of how the term “Munros” came about and the scale of the numbers who embark on the quest to complete all 282 of them. Hill walking has undoubtedly become one of the largest outdoor participation sports in Scotland and takes walkers and climbers to some our most rugged and inaccessible corners. The photo shows the Nevis range from across Rannoch Moor.

Did you know that over 8,000 people have registered their completion of these peaks and the record for doing them all in one round was smashed earlier this year by Jamie Aarons in 31 days, 10 hours and 27 minutes? This was not just a female record but the overall fastest time for a self-propelled round of all 282 Munros. Self-propelled means no motorised transport. Jamie’s complex route around all the Scottish 3,000-foot mountains (the definition of a Munro) covered a massive 2,576km and 135,366m of ascent – with 1,315km of that distance on foot, 830km by road bike, 370km by mountain bike, 49km on gravel bike and 11km of paddling in a kayak, including the obligatory sea leg to and from Mull. What an achievement. Apparently, she rarely slept for more than an hour!

Come and visit Munro Legacy at the Brothock Gallery in Arbroath Library to discover more.

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