Size, as they say, is not everything. In comparison to the greater ranges, Scotland’s mountains might look diminutive, but they punch 1 their weight. Although they tend to be short by international standards, Scottish scrambles, traditional rock climbs and winter routes are as good as any of their type. What Scottish peaks lack in altitude they make up 2 in attitude: rough terrain and mercurial weather are the norms. It is often claimed that 3 who learn to handle Scotland’s mountain mood swings can adapt their climbing to pretty much 4 in the world – and it’s more or less true, give or 5 hypoxia and crevasses. But why climb elsewhere at all, when 6 we have here in Scotland is so good? While we’re spouting old clichés it just remains to say that in the trade-off between quantity and quality, the Highlands hold their 7 The Scottish hills contain an almost limitless supply of superb objectives – challenging trips in beautiful settings. Metre for metre, there can be no finer mountains. It is amazing just how much is packed 8 such a small country.