If you are struggling to
find the energy or motivation to go walking, perhaps this heart-warming tale
will give you a push. For 10-year-old twin girls Cliona and Nuala McCheyne recently
finished a full round of Scotland’s 282 Munros.
The girls, from Dunoon, have
been walking Munros sine they were aged only four and with their parents Diane
and Neil they have spent many weekends enjoying themselves on Scotland
mountains.
What are the Munros?
The Munros are mountains with a summit of at
least 3,000ft (914.4m) and are located across Scotland. The were first
identified by Sir Hugh Munro in the early 19th century and since
then several thousand people have walked the full round of 282 Munros.
But many people take decades
to walk all the Munros, and never have the Munros been completed by children so
young. For mum and dad, it has taken 26 years to finish the full round, while
the family dog, West Highland terrier, Aonach, is still on 224 Munros.
One of the twins, Cliona is
reported as saying: “It’s been great fun doing them. We’ve never found them
scary. Our mum is a bit scared of heights so we always have to encourage her.”
Of course, no one is saying
that you need to go out and embark on the full Munro round challenge. You could
simply try bagging a few Munros for starters. In fact, in Angus and the
surrounding there are some of the easiest Munros.
As with any hike
in the countryside, it is important that you know how to navigate yourself
safely by map and compass before setting out, especially if the weather
forecast is poor. Glentrek offer hill walking navigation courses, should you be
interested.
The twin girls were able to learn map reading skills as part of their family Munro bagging trips. Mum Diane is reported as saying: “The girls have learnt so much doing the Munros, like how to map-read. It’s been a huge learning curve for them.
“We’re so proud. It’s a remarkable achievement for anyone. We didn’t set out to break a record. We just did it so we could spend time together and we’ve loved every minute of it."
Easier Munros to bag
The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda
Dreish and Mayar
Schiehallion
Mount Keen
Ben Chonzie
If you would like any information about bagging Munros, or would like some guiding assistance do please get in touch.