Ben More

Getting there:
Ferries from Oban to Craignure. No Bus service nearer than Salen (10 km)

Where to stay:
Tobermory has the widest choice. There is also a campsite at Killiechronan, handy for Ben More

Ben More is special, a shapely hill sweeping up cleanly from the sea like no other Munro. And Even the introductory road walking is genuinely special, with a real chance of spotting otters or porpoises.


It can be hard to break away from the shoreline across a bit of moor and then alongside the little gorge of the Scarisdale River to the foot of the rough ridge of Beinn Fhada, a well-informed peak in its own right. There's then a short descent to a saddle and pools before a rocky climb (not quite a scramble) to the stony top of A'Chioch.


The connecting ridge to Ben more itself is sharp, with some steep crags below particulary on the north side, and the final climb is satisfyingly steep and rocky without even quite demanding real scrambling (though it can feel more serious in winter).


The summit is simply one of the great viewpoints you can have in Scotland; to the west is a huge arc of island-splashed sea; to the east is Mull's wild, eagle haunted interior (both Golden Eagles and Sea Eagles are as plentiful here as anywhere in the UK). North lie the sharp peaks of Rum and the sharper-still outline of Skye, then the wilds of Morvern, Moidart and Knoydart, the Glencoe peaks and, looming over all, Ben Nevis. All good things come to an end but, as the decent is relatively easy, there's still plenty of leisure to gaze out over the shimmering ocean stippled with islands.


1 The day's first high point, a lonely summit with enticing views of Mull's wild interior.

2 An attractive spot with its small pools, it also offers an easy escape route to the west if the weather should do the dirty.

3 The culmination of the walk, on a neat summit ridge with truly fabulous views of the sea, islands and mountains.