An Caisteal & Beinn a’ Chròin — Where 282 Stories Began

The Day on the Ridge

Every journey has to begin somewhere. For my journey through all 282 Munros of Scotland, it began with An Caisteal and Beinn a’ Chròin.

After spending the night at Beinglas Campsite, I reached the starting point around 9am and met the group: Anna, who had already completed all 282 Munros; Rachel, from the Isle of Mull, with more than 200 behind her; and Amjad, a cheerful outdoor enthusiast with endless stories from his adventures. For someone taking his first steps into the Munros, I couldn’t have asked for more experienced company.

We headed first towards An Caisteal. As we gained height, the terrain became more interesting, with a few sections of scrambling that required hands as well as feet but never felt particularly difficult.

Then came the summit — Munro #1.

Standing there, 282 was no longer just an idea or a number on my website. The journey had actually started.

From An Caisteal, we descended and continued towards Beinn a’ Chròin. Another scramble waited along the way, this one looking more intimidating from a distance than it felt once I was actually on it. Taking it carefully, we worked our way through and eventually reached the summit.

Munro #2. Two down.

With gusty winds and light rain higher up, we didn’t stay long and started the descent. I had expected the climbing and scrambling to be the main challenges of the day, but Scotland had something else waiting for me: bog.

The final few miles were extremely wet and boggy. Eventually water found its way into my footwear, leaving me walking the remaining distance with wet socks. It wasn’t the dramatic part of the adventure, but it gave me some of the most useful lessons of the day: wear gaiters, carry spare socks, and always check for ticks after spending a day in the hills.

That is perhaps what this journey will really be about. Not simply collecting 282 summits, but becoming a more knowledgeable and capable mountain walker with every trip.

On 26 September 2026, An Caisteal and Beinn a’ Chròin became Munros #1 and #2 of my journey.

There will be long drives from Leeds, campsites, rain, wind, bog, winter conditions, failed attempts and, hopefully, some extraordinary days in the mountains.

I don’t know what the remaining 280 stories will look like.

That’s the point.

Two down. 280 to go.