On 5 January 1995, a bunch of mates convinced me to join them on a Munro bagging trip to Scotland. I had no idea what a Munro was let alone what midges were and certainly wasn’t prepared for epics, big and small, that the next 282 summits would bring.
The eagle-eyed Scots among you might be able to guess which mountain I’m on from the classic peak in the background. Good luck !
It’s been a journey I never wanted to end - but, inevitably, it must. I feel incredibly fortunate to have seen Scotland at both its most glorious and its most unforgiving.
Now, almost 30 years later, I’m planning to complete the Munros on Beinn na Lap (GM/WS-091) on 26 August at 14:00 BST, followed by a meal and a pint at The Station House, Corrour. Everyone is welcome to join me or via another summit. I’ll have both HF and VHF with me.
I did my first Munro in 1996. In 2004 I did my 193rd. I got married that year and haven’t done any since! My list has 284 Munros but there are now 282 so I don’t know if I have two fewer to do, or if I have already done the deleted two.
Anyway, congratulations on getting to the end and I hope it goes well. How many have you activated for SOTA?
Hello Tim,
Will look out for you on the 26 August from a local hill.
I started my quest for all the munros and tops in 1994. Completed them all in 2001. It was a great experience.
Well done Tim - I got to about 75… and have only managed a few more since I got married now some 27 years ago…Whilst my brain still thinks it might be possible to finish I’m not sure the body agrees… PS Which was your favourite? (Mine is still Ben More Assynt but this was long before SOTA)
Not many ! Radio is a late addition having bumped into an operator on Beinn Alligin in 2023. @MM0EFI excellent videos did the rest. I’m already working on a SOTA Corbett round !
That’s a hard choice. Mix between mountain, weather and my mood. Beinn Alligin GM/WS-097 and the maiden - A’mhaighdean GM/NS-013 stand out above the crowd.
Exciting times! You’ll be able to order the tie then.
I did my first Munro, Ben Nevis, with my dad in August 1994. My next one was Glas Maol, GM/ES-012, in August 2024.
We’d tried to climb Ben Nevis in August 1992 but it was raining so much we gave up. He’d wanted to try a shortcut, and hadn’t taken the typical path, but all I remember is sliding down the grass in my waterproofs and thinking this was the best part.
Before we went on the 1994 trip, my grandparents told me of when they climbed it. Supposedly there was someone selling paintings half way up on the path, and at the top they enjoyed some lemonade someone else was selling. As we marched up the hill, which in my memory went on and on and on, I just kept thinking about the lemonade I’d have at the top. Needless to say, there was no-one at the top selling lemonade, and I don’t recall my dad bringing many provisions either. We were in the cloud and I remember looking around thinking “is this it?”.
Sadly I’ll be in the Netherlands and likely on a bike at that time of the day. If I happen to be around I will rig an HF antenna and see if I can get you.
Good luck with the weather/radio conditions. I’ll toast your compleation (sic) appropriately. It’s a bit of an emotional day… very mixed feelings as you say. I think if you live the other end of the UK and have to travel up, using lots of precious holiday, the hills get a real emotional hold.
I had my compeation dinner in the King’s House and as I think I mentioned, Sue compleated on Beinn na Lap too, before we all went off to the Killin Hotel.
I wonder how many have completed the Munros but are not in the database. I know several who have done them all but have never added themselves to the list.
Quite a few I suspect! The SMC now take late compleations in the order they are received. They used to “bump” people down the list. I think that stopped in the 1980s.
hope it all goes well on 26th, great milestone. Its a massive undertaking for you guys who are driving up from down south, in comparison to myself who could day trip vast majority.
Wont make it on 26th, working… But the rig will be on so hope to work you.
My wee target at the moment is complete my remaining GM 6 pointers, then chip away at a SOTA Corbett round like you. We will bump into each other for sure!
On Tuesday 26th August, whether he likes it or not, @G5OLD Tim will be accompanied by @GM5ALX Alex and me, for his last Munro Beinn na Lap GM/WS-091.
We’ll meet at Crianlarich and take the train to the UK’s highest and most remote mainline railway station - Corrour, which has no road access.
For the activation, we will have three stations on the air. Tim will be on 40m, Alex on 20m, and me on 2m FM. It would be great to get loads of contacts for Tim’s memorable day, and as many summit to summits as possible!
Afterwards, it’s tea and medals at the station restaurant, before grabbing the train back to Crianlarich.
ETA at the top is 1300z, which I believe is 1400 BST.
I was hoping to meet you all at Corrour but I’m dog-sitting and builder-sitting so cannot leave the house for too long tomorrow. I’ll try to pop out for a quick S2S or chase from somewhere local.
I have alerted for Caultrashal Mor GM/SI-187, not sure what it’s like, or how long it will take us as a family to reach the top, but we’re going for it to try and work Tim and the gang
Well, today is THE day. I wish you all the very best Tim. Have a really enjoyable walk and activation. It’s appropriate that you are being accompanied on #282, as indeed you were on #1. Hopefully I will be able to contact you on your activation, but if not then my vy 73 to you and congratulations on what you have achieved.
and 
with Fraser and Alex.
Hope it goes well.