THIS STUNNING GUIDE WILL HAVE YOU HEADING FOR THE CORBETTS
GUIDING LIGHT: The updated version of the SMC Corbetts book is a huge step up from previous versions
ARRAN HIGHLIGHT: Goatfell view
IF THERE were any extra incentive needed to crack on this year and finish my second round of Corbetts, it arrived through the post the other day.
The Corbetts is the latest version of the Scottish Mountaineering Club guide to the best walking routes to these 222 Scottish summits, and it is a serious upgrade on previous incarnations of this book which was first published 35 years ago.
The format follows recent successful SMC revamps of The Munros, The Grahams and Donalds and The Cairngorms & North-east Scotland editions, and the book weighs in at an impressive 400 pages, a fair uplift from the earlier versions' 280 and 250. And while the former books were padded out with routes for other, lower hills, this one focusses purely on the Corbetts.
Everything about the version is on a grander scale. The route descriptions are fuller, more informative, often with two or three options for each ascent. Round trip timings are given for every outing, and the maps are more expansive and finely detailed.
The icing on the cake, though, is the photography. This is a book that can be enjoyed by anyone with a love of the mountains, even if you never intend climbing another, although sitting flicking through the pages will likely make you desperate to put on your boots.
Each geographical section is introduced with a magnificent landscape image, and many of the routes that follow are dressed with two or three pictures reflecting different viewpoints of the mountains in question. For instance, the triple-peaked Quinag, a mini-mountain range rather than a single entity, now has a satisfying five photos devoted to its charms compared to a miserly two, and the same criteria applies to many of the bigger days.
The greater overview of the individual areas works much better. Maps for the likes of Fisherfield and Arran are given room to breathe with their coverage rather than being squeezed in almost like an afterthought, and the intro maps to each section have also been widened out to show what lies on the edges of those groups, handy for deciding on possible bases for a few days' walking in neighbouring areas.
It's good to see that the classic 'famous five' walk above Tyndrum is presented as three separate outings rather than one massive day with a series of route options and start points spread over a few pages and fresh images of all the peaks. For those capable of tackling it, the big round is still included as a separate panel. Having done it once, I appreciated the focus on the gentler approach this time round.
The more generous descriptive approach heavily benefits the likes of the Torridon peaks and the prized Glen Elchaig trio plus the mountains of the far north such as Foinaven and Arkle. It also means that fine hills such as Sail Mhor, Sgurr Coire Choinnichean and Bac an Eich are allowed to shine and not just written off in a couple of paragraphs. And it's pleasing to see that the majestic Beinn an Aodainn, its name rightly restored from the more anglicised Ben Aden at last, is given the coverage it deserves as one of the finest mountains in the country.
Everything feels far more definitive and ironed out. Sgurr nan Eugallt's main summit is pinpointed precisely among the series of high points on the ridge, while the 'twin' peaks controversy has finally been properly addressed – Buidhe Bheinn is officially higher than Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais, although most will still take in all the tops on this wonderful crescent ridge just in case.
The expanded coverage is particularly welcome in the islands section. The opening maps pinpoint all the ferry routes as well as highlighting other nearby Corbetts on the mainland and there is a panel dedicated to transport links for the crossings. The Arran hills are given nine pages including a full-page map featuring every route variation over its four hills. The options for Jura, Rum and Harris have also been greatly extended.
It's reckoned that only around ten per cent of those who finish the Munros then go on to tackle a round of Corbetts. I suspect this stunning book will inspire a lot more people to think about heading for these magnificent mountains.
*The Corbetts by Rab Anderson is published by the Scottish Mountaineering Press and costs £35. Please consider buying directly at https://scottishmountaineeringpress.com/product/the-corbetts-smc/ as all profits go to the Scottish Mountaineering Trust.
