First published in 1891, Sir Hugh Munro’s table of Scotland’s highest mountains caused quite a stir at first, as at the time it was thought there were only 30 mountains of that height; a stark contrast to the now 282 listed! Sadly, Sir Hugh never quite completed all the ascents on his list, leaving this incredible achievement to Reverend A E Robertson. Since then it’s safe to say the popularity of Munro-bagging has soared. The first explosion in notoriety occurred in the late 1980s and to this day the number of mountaineers looking to become ‘compleators’ (the name given to those who climb all the Munro summits) is enormous.

For decades hostels have been one of the go to accommodation types for those looking to go mountaineering and hillwalking and it’s easy to see why. Firstly, the majority of independent hostels are staffed by highly knowledgeable people when it comes to the topic of local access routes and day to day mountain conditions. So whether it’s your first time exploring or your fiftieth, they will be able to provide you with great recommendations tailored to your interests and experience level. As well as this, hostel staff can provide safety information on the local hazards and provide the opportunity to log your intended route and expected return time in order to safeguard hikers. It’s also the perfect way to meet like minded people from all walks of life which can make the experience all the more enjoyable. Not only this, independent hostels often provide essential facilities for hillwalkers such as drying rooms, which makes this kind of accommodation especially convenient. 

But when it comes to tackling a Munro, where do you begin? Thankfully, you don’t need to be an experienced hiker to set your sights on a Munro, as there are plenty of routes that are suitable for beginners. But don’t be fooled, there is no such thing as an easy Munro, you should always come prepared with the correct equipment and preparations. One ascent that's particularly popular with beginner hikers, is Ben Lomond. The gradual path to the top is wide and well-maintained and leads to a magnificent view over Loch Lomond and out towards the Trossachs. Or if you’ve already ticked Ben Lomond off your list, why not treat yourself to the sweeping views over open moorland from the top of Mount Keen or perhaps the beautiful sights out over glittering Loch Muick from the peak of Broad Cairn. Conveniently, there are a range of hostels located close to plenty of the Munros, making it the ideal accommodation of choice for many. 

You can check out the plethora of independent Scottish Hostels located near the Munros here. It’s safe to say you’ll be spoilt for choice! 

So what’s stopping you? Get planning your first Munro bagging trip!

Written by Annabel Logan @annabellogancreates