SMALL WONDERS

Turn over for your FAQs about walking in Scotland, answered...

The Munros are just the lofty tip of Scotland’s hill lists and there’s plenty to savour in the smaller peaks of the Grampians too...

THE CORBETTS 2500-3000 ft, prominence 500 ft MEALL A’ BUACHAILLE*, 2657ft

“It’s not a huge hill,” says CW photographer Tom. “But it has excellent views to the Cairngorm massif, and across the ancient Caledonian forests of Abernethy and Rothiemurchus, and the return route winds through the trees. Young Scots pines are also being planted on the hill’s flank and summit, which makes it all very exciting.”

BEN VRACKIE*, 2762ft

“Its conical shape makes it a conspicuous sight for many miles around,” says CW route writer Keith Fergus in his book The Tay: 25

Walks from Source to Sea. “Rising sharply above Pitlochry, it has a superb path up its lower reaches to little Loch a Choire. Then a steep pull gains the craggy summit and an excellent view across the Central Highlands.”

THE GRAHAMS

2000-2499ft, prominence 150m

BEINN DUBH*, 2156ft

“It’s been said the smaller hills provide the greatest views and this adage can certainly be applied to Beinn Dubh,” says Keith. Twothirds of the height of Ben Lomond across the loch, it sees a fraction of the visitors, but a grassy climb from Luss soon leads to views of the Arrochar Alps and the striking lines of The Cobbler, and out across Loch Lomond.

THE MARILYNS,

Any British hill with prominence over 150m

BEN A’AN*, 1489ft

Readers Anne Webster and Claire Wells both love this little peak in the Trossachs. “It’s a quick way to get superb views,” says Claire, “and a beautiful woodland walk too. Our kids really enjoyed it.” The walk up is steep in parts but from the top, Anne says “You can see almost the full length of Loch Katrine one way, and the other way to Loch Achray and Loch Venachar.”

BENNACHIE, 1732ft

This has to be one of the best loved hills in Scotland and lots of you sing its praises. Sarah McArdle says: “Bennachie (Ben-a-hee) is a classic in Aberdeenshire. It’s not steep, but gives great views. The Mither Tap is the most obvious of its peaks – you can see it for miles – but Oxen Craig is the highest.” Fiona Mutch adds, “It’s a busy place at weekends but you can have it almost to yourself during the week.”

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