What to do and see
Hill Walking and Mountain Climbing
Wester Ross has over 60 Corbetts and Munros to satisfy any experienced walker. The spectacular Torridons provide challenging walks and climbs with stunning views. However there is also a wide range of low level walks suitable for all ages and abilities.
We have a wide range of books and maps in our online shop to help you plan your walks. They cover Poolewe, Gairloch and Lochcarron as well as the wider Wester Ross area.
When is a mountain not a mountain?
When it is a Munro or a Corbett. A Munro is any mountain over 3000 feet (914m). The list of such mountains, which has been revised periodically, was originally devised and published by Sir Hugh Munro in 1891. The pastime of “Munro bagging” is a recent development. Although many have climbed the Munros, it has now become a major obsession with some climbers to tick off each one bagged in an effort to climb all those currently listed, which stands at 284, although has been as high as 533!
Locally, Beinn Teallach recently qualified as a Munro and remains on the list. For anyone interested in checking out the opposition a complete list of those illustrious climbers who have a complete bag can be seen at the Scottish Mountaineering Club.
In the Wester Ross area 40 Munros can be found. A full colour book The Munros by Cameron McNeish gives a comprehensive guide to all of Scotland`s Munros.
Corbetts are the Munros that don’t quite measure up. They are the mountains between 2500 and 2999 feet and are so named in honour of the man who fist recorded the list of eligible peaks, John Rooke Corbett. His definition of a Corbett was that it should have a minimum re-ascent of 500 feet or a minimum distance of 500 feet on all sides between it and the neighbouring hills.
In the Wester Ross area there are 32 Corbetts.
Details of all Munros and Corbetts in the Wester Ross area can be found on the Mountains page.
Detailed maps can be obtained from our online shop:
Explorer 434 Gairloch and Loch Ewe
Landranger Sheet 19: Gairoch and Loch Maree
Landranger Sheet 20: Beinn Dearg and Loch Broom
Northern Highlands Pocket Guide
A series of detailed guides of hill walks are also available including, for example, Loch Kernsary and Old Tollie Road.
Visit the Tourist Information Centre in Gairloch where staff will be able to direct you to the appropriate information and give up to date weather information.