Scottish Mountaineering Club - Guidebooks

07/08/2024

Top five scrambles in Scotland 🏔

Iain Thow is a walking guide and expert author of two of our pocket scrambling guides, Highland Scrambles North and Highland Scrambles South. With some finer days ahead, he’s selected five of his favourite scrambles, some well known, and some lesser, from his many hours spent in the mountains, to help you pick your next adventure! Have a read, find some inspiration, and see if you agree...

Link in comments to read ✨

📸 Arran © Iain Thow

26/06/2024

Five Favourite Hills in the Highlands - Press Picks ⛰

We’ve all got those hills that we return to time and time again. They don’t have to be the biggest or boldest adventures; they’re simply reliable old friends that have been part of our outdoor journeys and where lasting memories have been made. Here, General Manager Rob has compiled a selection of his favorite hills and journeys from some of our recent SMC guides to highlight some lesser-celebrated (but no less special) mountain experiences.

Read the article here: https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/news/press-picks-five-favourite-hills-in-the-highlands/

23/06/2024

With all this mixed weather it feels like a summer for scrambling in the Highlands. Our two compact guides together collate all the best scrambles and low-grade rock climbs in Scotland, packed with iconic classics and lesser-known gems.

Highland Scrambles North (images 1 & 2) covers the North-West Highlands as well as the Outer Hebrides and Rum, with over 200 routes to explore. From the elegant bands of Lewisian gneiss of the Outer Hebrides to the pinnacled ridges of An Teallach, there are many hidden gems to discover.

Highland Scrambles South (images 3 & 4) features 215 routes, covering a range of outings from the Cairngorms to Mull, Arran and everything in between. Includes everything from short routes on the gabbro crags of Ardnamurchan to major undertakings on the ridges of Ben Nevis.

Check them out here: https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/shop/product-category/scrambling/

18/06/2024

The Cairngorms & North-East Scotland: 10 Must-Do Hill Days

The authors of our most recent SMC guidebooks release, Iain Young, Anne Butler & Heather Morning, have just published this article in UK Hillwalking, describing some of their very best picks in the Cairngorms. This is a land of extensive high plateaux, big, open skies and deeply incised valleys, whose connections provided ancient routes through these mountains - perfect for exploring more this summer.

Check out the article here: https://www.ukhillwalking.com/articles/destinations/the_cairngorms_and_ne_scotland_10_must-do_hill_days-15818

📷 Corrour bothy under the Devil's Point © Hamish Frost

21/05/2024

Summer is well and truly here and we couldn't be happier! Check out the link below for a selection of our favourite summer guides, containing inspiration for everything from remote scrambles and walking in the far north to accessible cragging in the Central Belt. It's looking like a good season ahead ☀️

https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/shop/product-category/summer-selection/

📷 Andy Nisbet. Expecting to Fly, Stac Pollaidh, from Scottish Rock Climbs (SMC Wired)

18/04/2024

Tiso's Book Launch for The Cairngorms and North-East Scotland is this month!

Join authors Iain Young, Anne Butler and Heather Morning in the Tiso Aviemore store on Tuesday 30 April 2024 from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM for an in-depth talk and Q&A on their connection with the Cairngorms and beyond.

Get your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/58875

27/03/2024

The SMC climbs database is live ⛰

Did you know that you can now find every single route description to every route that the SMC has ever recorded using their brand-new free online route database?

Designed to supplement the printed guidebooks, the database has route descriptions and crag information for over 40,000 routes across Scotland. You can search by route name, crag or even first ascensionist, as well as find out how to record your new routes and feedback with the SMC – it’s the only sure-fire way of having your route in considered for future guidebooks, and keeps you up-to-date with recent developments.

Check it out here: https://routes.smc.org.uk/

📷 Rob Lovell on Ticket to Ride, Creag Dubh. © Dave Cuthbertson

07/03/2024

"The book is a joy to browse, a real celebration of Scotland's very special North-East. If the next titles in the area guides series match this, as and when they arrive, then they'll be well worth the wait."

A great review in over at UKClimbing.com from Dan Bailey of our latest guide, The Cairngorms & North-East Scotland. Have a read for a fantastic breakdown of everything this book offers, from routes and Munros to much much more.

Packed full of fascinating background information on a diverse part of Scotland, this attractive and inspiring area guide is so much more than just a book of walks, says Dan Bailey.

28/02/2024

Our new SMC Hillwalkers' guidebook, The Cairngorms & North-East Scotland, was launched last week and should have arrived on everyone's doorsteps!

As well as route descriptions and detailed maps, the authors Iain Young, Anne Butler and Heather morning have packed this guide full of extra info on the flora, fauna, geology and history of this iconic region.

Get your copy direct through our website here: https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/product/the-cairngorms-ne-scotland-smc/

22/02/2024

A big thanks to everyone who came along to our Cairngorms event this weekend at Fort William Mountain Festival!

Our new guide The Cairngorms & North-East Scotland was officially released this weekend (meaning you'll be able to find it in bookstores near you now or very soon). Expert authors Iain Young, Anne Butler and Heather Morning led a fantastic discussion and deep dive into the niche and nebulous wonders the Cairngorms holds, and stuck around to sign a book or two after for us too.

Available from your local indie bookshop or direct from us here: https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/product/the-cairngorms-ne-scotland-smc/

08/02/2024

The Cairngorms: Highlights from our Authors ✨

To celebrate the upcoming launch of the new SMC hillwalkers’ guide The Cairngorms and North-East Scotland, we asked the authors, Iain Young, Anne Butler and Heather Morning, to describe what make these hills so utterly captivating.

Have a read through their guide for some route ideas and mountain inspiration!

https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/news/the-cairngorms-author-highlights/

📷 Walking toward Shelterstone Crag and Hell’s Lum. © Hamish Frost.

05/02/2024

Event update for Fort William Mountain Festival ✨

We're launching our new hillwalkers' guide The Cairngorms & North-East Scotland at Fort William Mountain Festival and are thrilled to say all the authors will be there for the event! In an illustrated presentation Iain Young, Anne Butler and Heather Morning will share some of their insights and favourite walks with you.

You’ll hear about what makes the environment so challenging and why the unique ecology, the long distances and stories and the details along the way, make journeys under the big skies of the Cairngorm plateaux so special.

Get tickets here: https://mountainfestival.co.uk/ticket/events/the-cairngorms/

📷 Cairngorm summit station. © Al Todd.

28/01/2024

Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered our upcoming hillwalker's guide: The Caingorms & North-East Scotland!

This new edition is packed full of more insights, info and guidance than ever before and we can't wait to share it with you. Pre-orders will be open until we launch the book at Fort William Mountain Festival in February, where we're also hosting a talk with the one of the authors, Iain Young.

Get your tickets to the talk here: https://mountainfestival.co.uk/ticket/events/the-cairngorms/ and pre-order the book here: https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/product/the-cairngorms-ne-scotland-smc/

📷 Early summer snow tunnel - Al Todd.

16/01/2024

The SMC’s brand new hillwalkers’ guidebook to the Cairngorms and North-East Scotland is available to preorder now!

Get your copy here: https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/product/the-cairngorms-ne-scotland-smc/

This new book, written by Iain Young, Anne Butler and Heather Morning, sheds new light on this much-loved area and includes:

⛰ Full coverage of the Cairngorms and surrounding area
⛰ Routes for 169 Munros, Corbetts, Grahams & other hills described
⛰ Maps for almost every route and hill described in the book
⛰ Chapters on long distance walks and passes through the mountains
🌼 Insight into the flora, fauna, geology, stories, people and history of the area
📷 Sublime photography throughout

It’s a book for those wanting a deeper appreciation of this unique region of Scotland, encouraging enjoyment at a slower pace, and taking in everything that these wonderful hills have to offer.

All profits from Scottish Mountaineering Press books go to the Scottish Mountaineering Trust. This Scottish-registered charity that provides grants to projects and organisations that promote public recreation, knowledge and safe enjoyment of the mountains, especially in the mountains of Scotland.

14/01/2024

With winter in full swing, our authors and activists are out and about collecting images and info for our upcoming guides. In the meantime, here's a throwback to one of our favourite evocative snaps from Neil Adams' Scottish Winter Climbs West: Ole Kemi on Naismiths Route.

📷 Jeremy Morris

29/12/2023

It's nearly the end of 2023 and it's been a busy year of planning, plotting, writing, mapping, editing and designing. We're thrilled to say you'll be hearing more from us next year, kicking things off with a fast-approaching launch we're very excited for you to see soon. Watch this space!

📷 Walkers heading into Corrie Fee, Glen Clova, The Cairngorms. © Iain Young

25/12/2023

Happy Christmas from SMC Guidebooks! ❄

It might not be a white Christmas but we're optimistic about what the rest of Scottish winter will bring for climbers and hillwalkers alike. Have a wonderful day, and we'll see you on the hill sometime soon.

📷 Minus One Gully (VI,6), Ben Nevis (in Scottish Winter Climbs West). © Hamish Frost

15/12/2023

Last postage dates for Christmas ✨

A little reminder for over the weekend that you can still order from us to get your presents - or escapist reading material - to arrive in time for Christmas! Orders today and over the weekend can opt for Standard Shipping; order on Monday or Tuesday and go for Priority.

And if you’re not sure what to go for, don’t forget about our Christmas gift guide which will help you on your way! https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/news/christmas-gift-guide/
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Have a great weekend!

📷 Jamie Hageman, from Scottish Winter Climbs West

07/12/2023

More scenes from the Press team on weekend winter adventures!

“It was a tough choice this weekend between pulling out both axes for a day in the Corries or taking advantage of the beautiful forecast for the Creag Meagaidh circuit, but in the end we were very happy with our decision! I can’t image a better winter day for this 21km round of 3 Munros - zero wind, only a smattering of powder to plough through and an epic inversion keeping us company most of the day. Our descent through The Window was a great finale, seeing the buttresses covered with ice and even taking a few tentative steps on a very frozen Lochan a’ Choire” — Kat Bennett

Find Creag Meagaidh and more in The Munros, our definitive guide to exploring Scotland’s most iconic hill list.

30/11/2023

Last weekend saw the first of the Press team out for a winter climb this season ❄

"It’s been a long time since I climbed a winter route before Christmas, but now we’re based on Inverness quick hits can be snuck in around childcare and work. A wind-free day, perfect conditions and a short route in the Northern Corries couldn’t have been better for the first route of the season.

We climbed Pot Doodles (IV,6) on the Mess of Pottage (being the only route without a team on it) which, despite receiving no stars in the guidebook, has some great climbing on it. Getting out as a three in winter is highly recommended; it lightens the load and provides company on the inevitable long-duration belays! We left home after breakfast, and got back in time for dinner – what more could you ask for?" - Rob Lovell

More scenes coming soon from what's looking like a cracking weekend ahead. In the meantime, find the Norries and more in Scottish Winter Climbs and The Cairngorms here: https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/shop/product-category/smc/

29/11/2023

The Cairngorms: A Celebration of the Understated ❄

There's a lot of good stuff happening between now and February - including what's shaping up to be a good winter. But we're still getting super excited the programme of events we're running with Fort William Mountain Festival in February! Here's some reminders of what we've got on, starting with our Cairngorms event.

‘From McConnochie and Shepherd, to Watson and the present day, the Cairngorms have attracted devotees in a way that no other Scottish hills do. After many years spent enjoying this range, I began to ask myself why. Writing a guidebook gave me time to explore this question and, along with my co-authors, the opportunity to share some of those insights with others.’

In this illustrated talk, Iain Young will propose that, paradoxically, it is the flat nature of this sub-arctic landscape, and not its steepness, that provides the attraction. Attempts to find a mountainous character here are too often overplayed; instead, we should celebrate and enjoy the long distances and stories, the details along the way, and the unique ecology as we journey under the big skies of the Cairngorm plateaux.

Find out more and book here: https://mountainfestival.co.uk/ticket/events/the-cairngorms/

16/11/2023

The best early season winter climbs in the west ❄️

"Traditionally, the start of the winter season is celebrated by scratching around in the Northern Corries of the Cairngorms. This is as true for me as anyone else – mid-October this year saw a few opportunists (me included) making the most of some early rime in Coire an Lochain, and my previous season kicked off on the upper tier of Carn Etchachan in early December. However, the west coast does have some excellent early-season climbing which is worth seeking out. Here, I reflect on some of the best routes I’ve done out west before Christmas in recent years."

It’s the start of the winter season and well and truly time to dust off the axes, if they aren’t out already. Of course, it’s still early days yet, which is why we asked Neil Adams, author of Scottish Winter Climbs West, to take us through a selection of his go-to areas for searching out in the start of the season in the west of Scotland.

Check it out here: https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/news/the-best-early-season-winter-climbs-in-the-west/

📷 Alasdair Fulton on the left-hand start to Flakewalk (VI,7) on Beinn Donich. © Neil Adams

14/11/2023

"The Lowland Outcrops guidebook sets the standard for a new generation of guidebooks."

A huge thanks to Emily Ankers for her review of Lowland Outcrops in the Beta Magazine blog! Head over to Beta Magazine to check out the full review, where Emily breaks down how the new guide has been designed for climbers of all background and experience levels. Beta Magazine has also just launched a new issue which is well worth checking out while you're there.

📷 Paco Subido latches Dyno/Wolfie SS, Wolfcrag. © Tommy Ga-Ken Wan, from Lowland Outcrops

09/11/2023

Going winter climbing this season? We need your photos!

We’re coming into what (we hope!) is the last season of collecting content for the SMC’s upcoming book Scottish Winter Climbs North, and your help could get it over the line. As ever, as well as being a monumental effort on the part of the authors, our books are a team effort. That’s not just the production team – action photos and crag shots provided by the climbing community are a big part of our publications, and this book is no different.

We've got a list of the crags for which we would like additional photos and, if you are planning to head in to these locations, we’d love to hear from you to discuss what we are looking for and how you might be able to help. Just drop us an email and we can put you in touch with the author.

Check it out here: https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/news/scottish-winter-climbs-north-crag-photo-appeal/

📷 Callum Johnson

24/10/2023

The Lowland Outcrops interview series ✨

Our new guide sets out to bridge the gap between indoor climbing and first steps onto the rock faces of the Central Belt – cliffs where many prominent Scottish rock climbers, including Dave Cuthbertson, Dave Macleod, Natalie Berry and Robbie Phillips, started out.

We wanted to highlight real stories from those who define, and are defined by, this incredible area of climbing. Amongst the pages of Lowland Outcrops, we’ve included interviews with a variety of climbers – not just those you’ll find at competitions, but those who contribute so much to the community in less typically celebrated ways. We hope that you’ll find them as inspiring as we did as you browse your next adventures or create your next milestones.

Get your copy here: https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/product/lowland-outcrops-smc/

11/10/2023

Bouldering in the new Lowland Outcrops ✨

With a spell of cool, dry days ahead, it's the perfect time to get back on boulders! Our recent release, Lowland Outcrops, contains more boulder routes than any of our guides published so far. Requiring only a way to get there and a mat or two, it’s one of the most accessible ways to start moving from plastic to rock, so we’re thrilled to be able to include everything from friendly beginners problems to world-class test-pieces in this guide.

Though it may lack the grandeur of the Highlands, the Lowlands make up for this in sheer variety and accessibility, and the bouldering in this area is far from fully developed yet! Time to start exploring…

Get yours here: https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/product/lowland-outcrops-smc/

📷 1, 3, 4 - Roxanna Barry
📷 2 - Neil Carnegie
📷 5 - Nadir Khan

05/10/2023

Where to go: a breakdown of the areas in Lowland Outcrops ✨

We’ve thrilled to see how well Lowland Outcrops has been received so far! A long-awaited release for many, we know a lot of climbers out there have been itching to get more out of the Lowland area with this new guide. However, for many more, the area might not be one you’ve visited yet at all. Whilst it’s often neglected over its more photogenic counterpart up north, it offers a wealth of excellent cragging near Scotland’s largest cities which shouldn’t be missed.

In this article, author Topher Dagg takes us on a tour of the Lowlands to explain in detail exactly where the guide covers, from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Ayrshire and the Borders, and everything in between.

Please note – for those of you looking for Dumfries and Galloway do not fear, this area will be covered by its own volume and work is underway as we speak!

Link in comments for the article.

📷 Claire Stein and Mick James on Gardeners Choice, Breeches Rock. © Bruce Kerr.

01/10/2023

Lowland Outcrops, then and now!

It's been 18 years since the publication of the first guide to the Lowlands, and oh how times have changed. Whilst we have a lot of nostalgic love for our old school editions, it's wonderful to see side by side how developments in publishing, photography and climbing itself have fed into what we hope is a much more exciting and accessible guide. We hope it'll help more beginner and developing climbers access the area than ever before, as well as reveal plenty more to those who've been climbing there for years too.

Available to buy direct from the SMP website - link in comments.

29/09/2023

"In a culture of grade-chasing, good 'beginner' crags are often underrated as unworthy challenges. But where would many of us be without such venues, whether to germinate our skills for larger and harder routes, or to provide accessible and enjoyable sport, away from the competitive peer pressure of higher grades?"

This week UKClimbing.com have published a fantastic piece from Topher Dagg, author of the new Lowland Outcrops, to celebrate its release. In it he details not only the best central belt crags for beginners across the area, but also the efforts that have been made to ensure this guide is truly one for climbers of all abilities and backgrounds.

Head on over to UKC to give it a read ✨

📷 Eve Scott on White Slab. © Robbie Hearns

28/09/2023

New areas and developments in Lowland Outcrops ✨

It's been fantastic seeing Lowland Outcrops already out and about in the wild! Whilst the Lowlands tend to get less press than the iconic Highlands, the area is packed with fantastic, accessible climbing ideal for progression. Our new guide includes not only classic venues, but also the best in recent developments for you to explore.

So what’s new?

- Around Stirling, the North Third has seen routes developed, along with a new sport destination in Dollar and more bouldering around Ben Ledi, Stronclachlar and Loch Katrine.
- Around Glasgow, the guide features Dumbarton Rock’s new Font 8 test pieces, the groundbreaking E11 Rhapsody and Will Bosi’s f9a+ Free at Last, as well as the developments and revival of lines at accessible venues Auchinstarry, Craigmore and Slackdhu.
- Around Edinburgh, you’ll find Ratho Quarry’s recent developments in new sport lines and more popularised trad routes, as well as lockdown projects including Blackford Hill and the now famous Murrayfield Crack Den.
- Around East Lothian, North Berwick has seen a few new trad lines and much more bouldering potential revealed, whilst Balgone Heughs and Traprain Law are now home to plenty of sport routes. Rough Heugh and Ladywell are now rich areas for bouldering (with more to still be found!).
- In the Borders Hills, Cloon Craig is now recorded, as well as Craighouse and Smailholm Crags, with the new discovery being the remote boulders of Carlin Tooth.

📷 Will Bosi finally Free at Last, Dumbarton. © Band of Birds