The SMC has announced that a new revised edition of Munros Table's shall be released later this year. The major change being the announcement of eight new Munros and the down grading of one Munro to Top status. These changes give the total of Munros as 284. In addition to these changes 9 new Tops have been added and a further 15 Tops have been deleted, making a new total of 227 tops. This gives a grand total of 511 Munros and Tops. There are also some changes to Grid References given in previous editions of the tables as up to date maps have enabled a more precise locating of some summits.
Justice has been done Beinn Eighe and Ben Alligin can now boast two Munros like their near neighbour Liathach. Glen Coe is the other real winner with three new Munro's to help clog up the car parking spaces. Buachaillie Etive Mor now becomes a longer day out as the minimalist's can no longer run up and down avoiding the ridge to the back above Glen Etive. The Five Sisters also gains a new Munro but as most people did Sgurr nan Carnach as part of the route no real detour will be required. As for top baggers some small pieces of tidying up may well have to be done as a few awkward rascals have now been added to the tables as well.
One sad (from a personal point of view) deletion from the tables is the Trig Point on Slioch (980m), which was where I finished my quest of climbing all the Munros and Tops. This was actually the Munro in the previous edition and the North top (981m) which is now given Munro status was previously listed as a top. This may well mean that those who missed the North top will have to get back up Slioch to claim the real summit. Another top no longer listed is Sgurr Dearg (Skye) the top next to the In Pinn, where many a hopeful Munroists has saw their dream shattered as they decided to leave out the higher obelisk. Sgurr Dearg was also listed as the Munro in the first edition of the tables produced by Sir Hugh Munro in the 1891 SMC Journal. Knight's Peak (4th pinnacle on Sgurr nan Gillean's North Ridge) gives Skye a Top back however as a new addition to the tables. This is a Top that will sort out the Top Baggers as it is fairly awkwardly placed and requires a bit of a climb, a contender for most difficult Top along side The Basteir Tooth and Meall Dearg (Liathach). Why it has been included baffles me however as it's height is given as 912m on the OS maps.
These new Munros are no real surprise to most hill goers as they were all prominent Tops, that were previously listed in the tables. The majority of the 1700+ Munroists registered with the SMC will have no doubt done then already. Those who have not done them will probably enjoy a fresh challenge of finishing off the Munros again. What better excuse is there to get the Champagne, a bottle of Malt and the Bagpipes out again for another celebration! At the end of the day, what does it matter which hills are listed, the enjoyment of the outdoors is what it is really all about. That said though if you think that bagging the likes of Beinn Eighe, Bidean nam Bian or the Buachaillies, by just visiting the old single Munro summit was enjoyable, then you missed the best of these mountains. In future baggers shall have to visit these previously untrampled summits. This is a shame in itself as these previously quieter sides of the mountains shall become more crowded, and no doubt there will be a stampede of visitors in the next few months.
The Lost Munro :
Section 4 : Loch Linnie to Loch Ericht
Section 12 : Glen Cannich to Glen Carron
An Riabhachan - North-East Top - 1117m - OS map 25 - Gr Ref 139348
Information from Munro's Tables © The Scottish Mountaineering Club 1981 & 1997
This page last updated 29th May 2002 - © Cameron Johnston 2002