Scottish Mountain Photo GalleryScottish Mountain Photo Gallery
The collection consists of over 2,500 high resolution photographs, photos, pictures, images, 360 degree views and QuickTime movie panoramas of mountains, islands, sea water lochs, fresh water lochs and rivers of Scotland. All can be enjoyed while hill walking, scrambling, climbing, mountain biking, winter mountaineering, snow and ice climbing, snowboarding, windsurfing, white water kayaking and sea kayaking.
North West Highlands Islands Cairngorms Central Highlands Southern Highlands Southern Uplands
Aerial photos Rivers and whitewater kayaks. Coastline and sea kayaks. Windsurfing. Links.
What's new!Many Scottish mountain sites concentrate on particular groups of mountains because each mountain achieves a certain status by virtue of measurement of its height or drop to the next peak. Lists are generated such as of the Munros, those mountains over 3,000 feet, and of "lesser" peaks such as the Corbetts. Many people enjoy the activity of "peak bagging", ticking off their personal conquests and collecting pictures (often misty) of each expedition. Much pleasurable debate centres round the definition of these mountain groups and criteria for inclusion. Every so often, the official tables are updated and a new peak included. An explosion of activity follows as those, who had thought they had completed, find another tick is necessary. This can lead to rapid erosion of the easiest way up the unfortunate peak, but by in large, tables and lists of peaks help to spread the activity of mountain goers across Scotland. This is a good thing.
Summits are very important to baggers and problems can arise when a peak has two or three summits of similar height, particularly in misty conditions. The resulting doubt in the bagger's mind can, in extreme circumstances, necessitate a return visit to ensure the peak is truly bagged. At present, only one Munro, the Inaccessible Pinnacle, requires rock climbing skills to reach the summit and in the past this deterred many aspiring "completionists". Nowadays many guides make a living taking walkers up the "In Pin". This is also a good thing. However, the author has often wondered what would happen if the Bhasteir Tooth achieved the Munro status it deserves.......
This site is different. Mountains are included here because of the immeasurable: their character and aesthetics. Although aesthetics are difficult to define, most people would recognise that Cir Mhor (not a Munro) is a more aesthetic mountain than Ben Chonzie (a Munro, no photo, but imagine a large squashed lump). Another reason for inclusion here, is the aesthetics of the route to the summit. Seldom the easiest and most definitely not the hardest, there are routes "in between" that heighten the senses and satisfy the spirit of the mountaineer in such a complete way that recall of these mountain days with family and companions become evocative of a whole period of the mountaineer's life.
Many people ask how far you can see from the top of a Scottish mountain. The furthest I have seen is 89 miles from Cairsmore of Carsphairn to Ben Cruachan. The furthest I have photographed is the Cuillin of Skye from Meall Buidhe, Glen Orchy, at 74 miles and Ailsa Craig from Beinn an Lochain at 70 miles. From Beinn a' Chreachain I have photographed Arran, 68 miles and Jura, 69miles. Ben Nevis, being the highest mountain, should give the most distant views but good luck is required to get a clear atmosphere, summer days are often hazy. Ideal conditions are in winter with a high pressure system to the west of Scotland, bringing clear Arctic air down over Scotland. Please let me know of your photographs of distant views.
Inspiration to take to the hills is different for everyone. In the early sixties the author read and re-read "Always a little further" by Alistair Borthwick . My real curiosity about high places occurred in 1961, during a break in a car journey through Glen Coe in a rain storm. The Aonach Eagach gullies disappeared up into the mists, their white torrents seemingly without source and the sound of rushing water and rattling stones filled and echoed round the Glen. What on earth was up there? In later years, Donald Bennett's magnificent "Scottish Mountain Climbs" 1979, inspired my quest for the perfect mountain day (and not a few of the photos in this site). I have only photographed what I have seen. Perhaps this might inspire someone too. See you up there!
If you are a student and would like to study in Scotland, why not consider our MSc in Medical Genetics, MSc in Human Nutrition or one of the many other courses available at the University of Glasgow. Ming from Taiwan saw this photo, came here, graduated MSc with distinction, and took this photo!
Copyright of all photographs remains the property of the original photographers. Feel free to enjoy them for personal use. Large Photoshop and Tiff images are available for commercial use. The internet thrives on links, if you have a related site please ask the site editor to consider exchanging links.
Site editor: Douglas E Wilcox (D.E.Wilcox@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
)
Site created 26/08/97
Section of Medical Genetics , Division of Developmental Medicine.
UNIVERSITY
of
GLASGOW
