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46 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Uneven, 26 Mar 2003
This book is a typical curate's egg - good in parts. The best reason to buy a copy is the superb range of photographs of the major Munros (mountains in Scotland over 3000 feet)- these photos are enough to make you want to get on the train to Scotland, and to flick through the rest on the way. AS a coffee table book, or one to impress your friends after you've climbed a few Munros, it's brilliant. I leave my copy out just like a suburban Range Rover - it'll never get muddy, yet I hope it tells my friends that I'm an outdoors person really. However, as a guide book for the Munros it leaves a little to be desired, and this is why I'll never get it muddy. The major failing is the quality of the sketch maps. These are not supposed to be used for navigation, and a decent 1:25,000 map should always be used for this, but more detail would make it easier to understand the route being described. This is particularly annoying if you are just starting on the Munros, and are trying to decide where to start, as is the lack of a map showing all the peaks together. Climbers who like to search out for scrambles and more exposed or multi-day routes may also find other books more useful. As for the routes described, I can't say I've tried them so can't rate any. They claim to follow obvious features, and I have no reason to doubt that they will get you up the hill. One complaint I do have is that the Inaccessible Pinnacle is indeed a rock climb, so why not mention the grading of the climb. It'd make it a lot easier to assess how hard it'll be to do it, and how much training to put in on climbing walls first. Returning to routes, you wouldn't want this book on a hill with you either - it's too heavy for that. Write down your route, or photocopy it, but don't lug this book about with you! I don't think it would take much to turn this book from a good one into a brilliant one. The photography is stunning (if a little biased towards winter views, which I find reveal less about the hill), and the route descriptions are useful, if limited for planning longer expeditions. All it needs are better maps, and a map of every Munro, plus possibly a few suggestions for longer routes. At this price, it may be worth considering a cheaper guide if you're not concerned about pictures (there is a very good pocket sized one avaiable), and spending the difference on maps to help plan, but if you want to be able to see why the Munros are so climbable, then this is worth a look. It all comes down to taste really, just like the hills - it isn't how you climb, it's enjoying it that's the key. If planning your trip will be improved by being able to see where you're going, then this will suit you. If you'd rather pour over a map, then maybe it isn't. Whatever guide you use, make sure you enjoy the hills - they really are something special.
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by Harvey Map Services Ltd
by G.Scott Johnstone
by Cameron McNeish
by Cameron McNeish
