What is a Munro?

Each month I will be highlighting a specific Munro. It must be one I have summitted myself or else I would not be ‘qualified’ to talk about it.

As this is the first of the M.O.T.M. it makes sense to highlight my first ever Munro – Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond

Height: 974m (3196ft)

Location: Eastern shore of Loch Lomond in the west of Scotland

Name meaning: Beacon Hill

Rock types: Granite, Micha Schist, diorite and porphry

Map used: Harvey Maps Ultramap XT40 (1:40000). Also available is their 1:25,000 giving you more detail if you prefer

Created over 400 million years ago! (the hill, not the map)

I first climbed Ben Lomond when I was about 10yrs old. I had an aunt we used to stay with from time to time and she was really into the outdoors. At that age I was playing rugby and doing athletics regularly so fitness wasn’t a problem. So with my aunt and my sister we went up and back down the main path. I remember feeling like we were walking uphill for days but also remember that this was where I learned about the mighty jelly baby and how it can be good for short energy boost.

Since then I have done Ben Lomond another 2 times (2017 & 2019), once with a former colleague and once with my lovely wife Sarah. Both these times I decided to head up the Ptarmigan ridge or path. Named after the Ptarmigan, a member of the grouse family (click the name which will take you to the RSPB website for more information on the Ptarmigan). This path avoids the main ‘tourist’ path and makes for a much more fun and interesting ascent. Some scrambly hands on parts as well so, as with any hill walking, make sure you know what you are doing!

Summitting Ben Lomond rewards you with a fantastic panoramic view whichever route you decide to take.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs provides a variety of opportunities to spot wildlife. Ben Lomond is no different. There are opportunities to see Red deer, Ptarmigans, Golden Eagles, Otters, Red Squirrels, Whooper Swans and so much more