The Munros, the Complete Collection of Maps
This is a review of the excellent and innovative book: The Munros, the Complete Collection of Maps. Published by Harvey maps it is a compendium of their maps illustrating every Munro (Scottish Mountain over 3000ft or 914m). The book uses a mixture of the different Harvey maps in a variety of styles and scales.
In 1891 Sir Hugh Munro published Munro’s Tables, a list of all the Scottish mountains over 3000ft. Sadly he died in 1919 with only three Munros left to climb and it was left to the The Rev. Archibald Aeneas Robertson to become the first Munroist in 1901. To date have there have been 7574 completists including continuous rounds and continuous rounds in winter. Hamish Brown made the first continuous round in 1974. His three month journey is recounted in the very readable book ‘Hamish’s Mountain Walk’.
Sir Hugh Munro
The record for the fastest continuous round is an astonishing 31 days, 10 hours and 27 minutes. Completed by Jamie Aaron in June 2023, she ran, cycled and kayaked between each of the Munros, covering a total of around 932 miles (1,500 km) on foot and about the same distance by bike.
For us mortals a more leisurely approach is required and this is where this book excels. Using a combination of the different editions of Harvey Maps each page is a topographic delight. The system Harvey uses creates very clear, usable and visually pleasing maps . The Munro bagging planning process using this book is so much easier than searching through a multitude of individual maps.
The maps used to illustrate the Munros are their 1:25,000 Superwalker series, the excellent 1:40,000 British Mountain Maps and the beautifully compact 1:40,000 Ultra Maps. The book is beautifully printed in a hardback edition measuring 258mm x 220mm with 240 Pages.
Ben Nevis
My favourite page is Ben Nevis. The use of a British Mountain Map clearly depicts the complexity of Britains highest mountain. The use of colour and shading to differentiate gradient and height create an almost 3D effect. But having said that it’s worth noting that every page is a work of art with the ability to fire up the imagination with thoughts of high mountain escapades.
Harvey maps are currently running a Christmas promotion and we think this will make a splendid present for any Munroist or anyone who loves maps and mountains.
Alex
Beyond the Edge Ltd is based in the Peak District, easily reached by train from London and within easy travelling distance from Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and other Northern towns and cities.
We are one of the UKs most experienced providers of climbing, walking, scrambling, mountaineering and navigation training courses.
Most of our courses are run in the Peak District National Park which has some of the finest rock climbing, bouldering, walking and hiking in the world.
