Munro bagging is a popular past time for many adventurers in Scotland and many will even travel to take on the challenge. The landscape offers such a diverse range of hiking for all abilities from smaller hills in the lowlands to the higher mountains in the highlands.
In this guide we will go into further detail about Munro’s and help to prepare you for your first munro as a beginner.
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Munro Bagging for Beginners
Munro bagging is a great way to keep fit, get out in nature and enjoy the amazing views that Scotland has to offer. However, if you are not prepared, things can turn very dangerous in the Scottish mountains very quickly. In this guide, we will discuss the following in more detail to help you prepare for munro bagging.
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Planning Your Trip
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NC500 Motorhome and Campervan Scheme
The NC500 Motorhome Scheme, officially known as the Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme, was launched by the Highland Council on July 1, 2024. This innovative initiative is designed to address the growing number of motorhomes and campervans traveling along the popular North Coast 500 (NC500) route, ensuring that their impact on the local environment and communities is managed sustainably.
The scheme offers a voluntary seven-day pass costing £40, inclusive of VAT. This pass grants motorhome and campervan users access to 12 designated overnight parking locations along the NC500 route, including scenic spots like Torvean Car Park in Inverness, Nairn Harbour, Dunnet Head Car Park, and Ullapool Latheron Car Park.
These parking spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 PM to 8 AM, with a 72-hour no-return policy at each location. This ensures that the facilities are used responsibly and that a larger number of travellers can benefit from them.
Overall, the NC500 Motorhome Scheme provides a structured and sustainable approach to motorhome travel in one of Scotland’s most scenic and popular areas. We think this is a great idea and encourage everyone to take advantage of it if you are looking to explore this road trip soon.
Read all about this new scheme in our complete guide to the NC500 Motorhome Scheme here.
For more information or to purchase a membership, travellers can visit the Highland Council’s official website.
What is a Munro?
A munro is a Scottish mountain over 3,000 ft (914.4m). To climb a Munro is more commonly known in Scotland as “bagging a munro”. Therefore to “bag a munro” makes you a “munro bagger.” Differing skills are required for climbing a munro and some are easier than others but one thing that all munro’s have in common is that it is worth the hard effort when you reach the top!
Hiking and mental health go hand in hand so get your boots on and get out into nature.
Planning to Bag a Munro
There are 282 munros in Scotland meaning there plenty to choose from at differing skill levels. Munros in Scotland are located across the central belt and in northern Scotland, the most northernly being Ben Hope and the most southern munro being Ben Lomond.
The tallest munro in Scotland (and the UK) is Ben Nevis which peaks at 4411ft (1345m). The next 5 tallest munros are located in the Cairngorms National Park where there are over 50 munros!
You will also find munros on two of the Scottish Islands; the Isle of Skye (12) and Isle of Mull (1).
When planning for a munro, choose one that is within your ability and comfort level. Some munros follow an easy and clear path whereas others will have no path, not even a signpost directing you where to start. Not all munros require scrambling to the top. A suitable munro for a beginner would be one with a clear path to follow and a high starting point as the incline will be that little bit less. We would also recommend choosing a munro that is popular for safety reasons.
Navigation for Munro Bagging
It is important to plan and research the munro you are planning to climb and not just rely on following a digital map. Before climbing into the mountains you should know how to navigate using a map and compass so that you can safely navigate if your digital map dies.
It is also important to know your limits, what may be easy for you may be difficult for someone else and vice versa. Make sure that everyone in your group can navigate with a map and compass in case anyone gets lost or left behind.
Be Prepared for Munro Bagging
Before setting off into the mountains, it is essential to research where you are going. We would advise climbing smaller hills in Scotland such as Corbetts (over 2,500 feet (762 metres) and under 3,000 feet (914.4 metres)), Grahams (between 2,000–2,500 feet (609.6–762.0 m), Donalds (hills in Lowland Scotland that exceed 2000 feet in height) and Marlyns (a hill of any height with a drop of 150 metres or more on all sides) before challenging yourself to a munro.
Make sure you research the length of the hike and work out the timeframe you expect to complete it in. Will you have enough daylight hours? Make sure you allow ample time! Don’t get caught out in the dark.
Another important point to research is water sources on the route, so that you can plan how much water to bring. We use Water to Go water bottles to fill up with water from running streams when we are hiking.
With Scotland having a quick changing weather system, it is important to check multiple weather sources before setting off on your adventure to ensure your safety on the hike. The weather up a munro is much worse than it is on ground level. Be prepared for the potential of changing weather by bringing waterproof layers.
We would also advise analysing your map for steep sections to prepare yourself for what to expect.
If you are looking for a good bag for your time exploring, we can highly recommend the Wandrd Bag PRVKE 41L if you are carrying camera equipment around. If you are looking for a smaller backpack, The Nest by Tropicfeel is one of the most comfortable bags I have ever owned and perfect for a day of munro bagging.
Essential Kit for Munro Bagging
Before bagging a munro, make sure you have essential items to keep you safe. Listed below are items we would consider essential when climbing a munro.
- Comfortable and waterproof rucksack.
- Comfortable and waterproof hiking boots.
- A compass
- Waterproof Jacket and Trousers
- Warm Layers
- Quick dry clothing
- First aid kit
- Emergency shelter
- Head torch
- Whistle
- High energy food
- Plenty of water
- Midge repellent (summer)
- Suncream (summer)
DON’T FORGET
Your trip to Scotland will be a lot more comfortable with a midge net and midge spray. These little biting bugs can be enough to ruin a trip if you don’t have the equipment to protect yourself from them. A repelling candle can also be helpful if you are sitting oustide.
Before You Leave for Scotland
Before you head off on your trip around Scotland, there are certain things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth trip. These include how to get around the route, including being aware of single track roads, etc., what to pack for Scotland, where to stay along the route and what travel insurance to book.
How Do I Get Around?
Given the remote locations of the majority of the best sights in Scotland, the best way to get around this road trip is by driving. There are of course other methods that are still popular, such as cycling and hiking, however, if you have a short amount of time on the route, neither of these are very suitable.
As for public transport, this will be very time consuming and difficult way of travelling around Scotland. However, with the increasing problem of congestion in some parts of Scotland, this is a good option to research if you have time.
If you are looking to rent a cosy, reliable and luxurious campervan for your trip around Scotland, we highly recommend hiring through Spaceship Rentals. We toured around the Heart 200 road trip in Scotland’s central highlands and its by far the best way to see the amazing scenery.
Browse the full range of vehicles on offer at Spaceships Rentals over here.
What Should I Pack for Scotland?
When it comes to packing for a trip to Scotland there is one item of clothing that you are going to need all year round: a waterproof. It rains in Scotland on average 250 days a year, meaning that during your trip to Scotland you will probably experience at least a drizzle of rain. Due to this, the number one item on any Scotland packing list is a good waterproof jacket.
As for the rest of the year, the temperature in Scotland and the central heartlands is reasonably mild for most of the year. During the winter months, you will most likely experience snow, however, temperatures usually sit around freezing, so it is not too cold. For your reference, the average temperatures in Scotland are listed below during each season.
Spring (March, April, May) – 5-10 degrees C
Summer (June, July, August) – 15 degrees C
Autumn (September, October, November) – 5-10 degrees C
Winter (December, January, February) – 0-5 degrees C
As you can see, the weather never really gets above the teens, with anything over 25 degrees C considered a heatwave. The best way to pack for your trip to the highlands is with layers that can be added and removed as you need them. You will definitely need a hat and gloves during the colder months and will most likely need sunscreen to protect you on the long days in the open.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around Scotland, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Scotland?
No matter what type of adventure you are heading on, whether it is a mountain adventure or a relaxing beach destination, one thing we all need to be aware of is that accidents can happen. The last thing you want is for an unexpected medical emergency to ruin your trip of a lifetime. Luckily, that is what travel insurance is for.
Whenever we travel, we get covered with Safetywing Travel Insurance, a reliable, friendly and extremely affordable method of covering yourself on any adventure. With years of experience working for backpackers around the globe, the service they provide is perfect for whatever type of trip you have planned.
Get covered for your next trip and get a quote from Safetywing right here.
So there you have it, our top tips for munro bagging for beginners. If you have started bagging munros or are planning to start, let us know in the comments below.
As always, sharing is caring so make sure to share this guide with your family and friends and inspire them to head off on their own adventure. If you are planning the trip for yourself, make sure you have a look at the rest of our Scotland content for more inspiration to our beautiful home country.
When you set off on your own adventure, be sure to tag us in your photos on Instagram and we will share them with the rest of our community. In the meantime, why not follow us over there to see what we are currently up to and keep up with us on our Instagram Stories.
Now Read:
- Instagram Guide to the North Coast 500 – Most Photogenic Spots
- North Coast 500 Packing Guide – What You Will Need for the NC500
- 7-day North Coast 500 Itinerary – FREE, Detailed and Unforgettable!
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