One man’s plan to conquer all 282 Munros in Scotland

“Initially uninterested in nature, Alex found a newfound appreciation for the escape and solitude offered by the Scottish mountains, ultimately leading him to embark on a quest to summit all 282 Munros. From his first tentative steps on smaller hills to his ambitious goal of conquering every Munro, this is a journey of self-discovery, physical challenge, and a deep connection with the wild landscapes of Scotland.”

Tell us about what initially sparked your interest in wanting to summit all the Munros?

I never had much interest in nature and being outside apart from sports and the occasional dog walk, but after being stuck inside all of lockdown I was dying to get out and explore. I started off with a few smaller hills and eventually completed my first Munro. This new approach to life led me into the world of trail running, camping, wild swimming and many other activities that I don’t know what I’d do without anymore.

My dad has always been into his hiking, and I used to find it boring, but I’ve found that as I’ve become a bit older the escape from the digital world is very welcoming and when hiking most Munro’s, you are very isolated and further up north you don’t normally see other people. As much as it’s about completing them all for me it’s also a welcome escape from society and reality and I think that’s what really gave me the bug for it.

Was there a particular moment when you decided “this is it, I’m going to do it?”

It took me a few hikes to really get into it and I was very clueless at the beginning. But after about the 5th I started really doing my research and reading up on Scotland and its Munros. This is when the challenge of summiting them all popped up. Ever since then it’s pretty much taken over my life. All week is spent planning the hike/hikes for the weekend.

Can you guide us through what your initial preparation was like? Did you have any specific training or gear acquisition?

For the most part not a lot of equipment is needed on your summer hikes however our weather does change very quickly so it’s best to be well prepared. On a summer hike with good weather all you really need is a good pair of walking boots, lots of water and food and a few warm layers for when you ascend higher and the temperature drops. Good navigation skills are still essential as summits can often be very misty and it’s easy to get disoriented and lose track of the route.

Winter on the other hand is a completely different ball game, with some seriously cold temperatures and lots of snow it changes the approach and equipment needed. A good pair of crampons are absolutely essential for traversing the ice and snow. An ice axe has also become a must have for me due to its versatility and reliability. I have completed a few winter skills courses and am confident traversing the hills in the tougher conditions, but I have still been caught out a few times so the conditions can’t be taken lightly.

How did you choose your route and approach to tackling the Munros?

I generally have a look at a few different routes that people have walked online and read up on them. Walkhighlands and alltrails have been my go to’s but osmaps often comes in very handy. There is also plenty of YouTube videos out there and it helps to familiarise yourself with certain landmarks that you should expect to see to keep yourself on the right track.

On average, what distance do you manage to cover a day?

It really depends on what the hike is. Some Munros are isolated and all you can do is summit then one then come back down, however a lot of the hills are joined up by ridges that allow you to cross over and join up walks and summit a few in the one hike. Some walks start at a high elevation and some right from sea level so all these factors come into play. On the shorter side i have completed hills that are about 10-12k in distance with anywhere from 800-1300m in elevation gain but there have been a few that are around 30k with the same elevation.

Out of the current 282 Munros. How many have you managed to summit thus far?

I am on 104 currently. Recently hit the landmark 100 which was such a big moment for me. It sometimes feels like you are making little to no progress but they do add up over time. I still have a long way to go but I couldn’t be more excited at the prospect.

What are your sleeping arrangements like? Are you camping, renting out a cottage? Sleeping in your car etc?

Depending on how far I need to travel for which Munro I’m planning to do and how long the hike will take me sort of dictates my sleeping arrangements. There is some close enough to where I live that I can get up early drive there climb the hill and drive back all in the day. If doing it in a day isn’t possible my I then look for somewhere to camp. Since wild camping is for the most part legal in Scotland you can pretty much pitch up anywhere and that’s you for the night. We also have mountain bothys which are small shelters in remote areas that are set up and maintained by the mountain bothy association. These are great if they are on your route and all you need to take is your sleeping bag and mat and you are sorted for the night. If there isn’t bothys around and the weather is stopping me from camping I’m not opposed to getting comfy in my car for a quick sleep.

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced so far in your Munros journey?

Motivating myself can definitely be a struggle at some points. The early mornings in the heavy rain I would much rather stay in my bed but by just getting out and doing it I always feel way better. There is no such thing as bad weather, it’s all just weather!! In Scotland if you let the weather dictate what you do you would never get anything done. Physically the whole thing has been a challenge. I have always been quite fit my whole life but hiking has given me a different kind of fitness. The stamina and strength needed is truly a real test of character.

What's been the most memorable Munros you've climbed so far, and why?

The best views from a summit I have ever experienced was from when we took on Ben Nevis for sunrise. Leaving the house at 12am we arrived in fort William for 3am, we then began the ascent and arrived at the peak for sunrise. The snow was knee deep and we endured below freezing temperatures. But the summit views made it all worth it. Being at the highest point in the uk and with no one else around is a very surreal experience. It’s very rare to have clear views when at the summit of Nevis so we got extremely lucky this day. A very tough hike in terms of length but not especially technical and would highly recommend it to anyone.

Can you share a time when you had to adapt your plans due to weather or unexpected conditions. How did you handle it?

When in the Cairngorms National Park last winter, I was taking on Ben macdui. This is the second highest Munro and very serious hike. About 2k from the summit and it was complete whiteout. The wind was blowing and picking up all the snow along with a heavy layer of fog. It was a struggle to even see your hands in front of your face at this point. Due to these conditions we made the decision to turn back and not ascend any further to avoid putting ourselves in unnecessary danger. I went back in April to summit with a lot better weather. Turning back when you are so close is such a hard thing to do but you need to remember that however far you plan to walk you need to come back just as far.

What are some of the unexpected benefits or challenges you've encountered on this journey?

It’s definitely been more benefits than it has been challenges. I’ve met some amazing people who share the same passion, and it’s led me into so many other opportunities. I feel fitter than I’ve ever been, and my mental health is at an all-time high and I thank nature and the hills for all of that.

How has this journey changed your perspective on yourself and the mountains?

It has actually made me far more comfortable and confident in myself. At least a third of my munros have been solo trips and learning to be comfortable and enjoy your own company is challenging at first but one of the most amazing things to experience after. I have a newfound respect of nature and wildlife and the earth from spending so much time in the hills.

What are your goals for the remaining Munros? Are you aiming for a specific timeframe or any particular challenges?

I’m not putting a time frame on it as it’s hard enough to fit it in around work as it is. But I am definitely not messing about and taking my time.

Do you have any plans for post-Munro adventures?

After finishing them all I fully intend to do a round 2. But I would also love to take the time to explore other parts of Scotland that aren’t just hills and Munros. We have many great corbetts ( hills between 762-914 meters) so I would like to give them a go aswell as exploring our great wilderness. I would also like to pursue my photography more seriously. Me and a few of my friends have some bigger hiking plans aswell abroad. Looking at the French alps, dolomites and some of the hills in Africa to name a few so very exciting stuff.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering taking on a similar challenge?

DON’T LOOSE SIGHT OF THE GOAL. It doesn’t matter what else you have going on in your life you need to use the challenge as an escape and channel everything else into it. Being prepared and equipped for whatever weather you can face is also the biggest thing I would emphasise as it can really save you from getting caught out and stuck in a bad situation.

What are you most looking forward to once you've completed all 282 Munros?

In all honesty the pint at the pub after hitting number 282 is what I’m most looking forward to. But just being able to say that I’ve summited every Munro puts you in an elites class of hiker as there really isn’t many who have done it. I can’t wait to look back and reflect on how much I’ve changed as a person and my experience as a hiker and how they’ve both evolved.