What's the difference between a Munro and a Corbett?

Munros are Scottish mountains at least 3,000 feet (914.4m) high and have no fixed prominence rule. Corbetts are at least 2,500 feet (762m) but below 3,000 feet, with at least 500 feet (152.4m) of drop between the summit and any higher land.

Which Corbett should I start with as a beginner?

Ben Ledi near Callander is a common starting point because it has a well-built path, although normal mountain preparation and navigation are still required. The Cobbler is popular, but reaching its true summit involves a short, exposed scramble.

Why do hills sometimes get moved between the Munro and Corbett lists?

Precise GNSS surveys can revise an accepted summit height. Beinn a' Chlaidheimh was measured at 913.96m in 2011 and officially reclassified by the SMC as a Corbett in 2012 after Ordnance Survey adopted the revised height.

The Classification Index

The Corbetts: Scotland’s 500-Foot Hill Climbing Obsession

While the Munros get the headlines, the 222 Corbetts offer a quieter route into the Scottish hills, each meeting a clear height and 500ft drop rule.

24 August 202610 min read