The first Munro I ever bagged was the Buachaille Etive Mor and what a mountain (Munro) to kick start a newfound love and hobby. You see I like to bag Munro’s, climb mountains, mountain walk. Whatever you wish to call it, I love doing it. Some have good worn paths to follow, some don’t. Some have lovely flat grassy areas to walk on, some don’t. Some don’t even seem to be to tricky – some are! Becoming a Munro bagger was something I sort of walked into – you see what I done there? After many glorious driving trips around the Highlands, taking in the amazing scenery that Scotland has to offer we decided on a whim to climb a mountain – seems easy enough! Should you wish to take up the hobby or want to give it a try, a great place to start is the Walkhighlands website which is our go to guide. The website has a vast and comprehensive list of the Hills, Grahams, Corbets and Munro’s that are on offer as well as grades on how easy/difficult they each are. The website also gives detailed descriptions on how to get to the location and instructions for climbing from start to finish. For my first outing, I wore a pair of leggings, white cotton t-shirt, hoodie and timberland boots – don’t make that mistake! If you have never climbed a mountain before please do read up on appropriate clothing and footwear, it will save you from the blisters and a vast array of other preventable ailments that I personally endured – it doesn’t pay to be a novice.

Thankfully, the Buachaille has a visible and mostly obvious path leading from the Scottish Mountaineering Club Hut. Veering right, this then leads you up to the boulder fields and the beginnings of the corrie. Sticking to the instructions is of paramount importance, as some parts of the path are not as easy to distinguish the further up you go. If you are cunning like me however, you can lock on to someone who is dressed appropriately and seems to know what they are doing and simply follow them – clever, I know! Continuing up the corrie you will ascent to the Bealach – Gaelic name for a ridge. This part does require some scrambling and careful foot placement, so do take care. Once on the ridge there is some flat ground where you can enjoy a rest and a spot of lunch before making your way up onto the summit. In this instance, we took the path to the left which leads you up to the summit of Stob Dearg – meaning the red peak. This is relatively straightforward, however be aware that it is exceptionally rocky when ascending.

An imposing view Just a little rocky

Let me just say that any scrambling or rocky ground is worth overcoming once you reach the summit. No words can begin to describe the views from the top of the Buachaille – nope, none, nothing. It is stunningly beautiful, captivating and breath taking all in equal measure. The feelings that it evokes are incomprehensible, tantalizing and just plain magical – for me anyway. On a clear day, the view reaches as far as your eyes can see and it is glorious. With the picturesque River Etive and the landscape of Rannoch Moor in your sights it should come as no surprise that this is one of Scotland’s most frequented mountains. Take your time to enjoy the view from every side, as there is so much to take in and observe. Not least, the achievement of actually bagging a Munro, that is a feeling that will stay with you forever. Once you’ve had your fill and marveled in your own achievements – its allowed! Ensure you add a rock to the well-established summit cairn as a parting gift – it would be rude not too really.

As with some Munro’s you can descend the same way you come up, if you decide not to continue on and climb to the summit Stob na Broige – meaning peak of the shoe. The Buachaille is great for this as you can see the path almost entirely which helps to make getting back down that little bit easier, again be aware of the corrie as it is just as tricky to get down from as it is to get up! There is no shame in getting down on your hands and knees for a little scramble which is what I done and felt much safer doing so. As you descend you are gifted yet again with the stunning views and scenery that surrounds this charming, wonderful and enchanting mountain. The Buachaille will always be special to me, it was the first Munro I ever climbed and the amazing experience I had was the catalyst for me to continually want to bag some more.