In this ground breaking book, Ian Mitchell tells the story of explorations and ascents in the Scottish Highlands in the days before mountaineering became a popular sport - when jacobites, bandits, poachers and illicit distillers traditionally used the mountain as sanctuary. Scotland's Mountains before the mountaineers is divided into four Highland regions, with a map of each region showing key summits. While not designed primarily as a guide, it is nevertheless a useful handbook for walkers and climbers.

Who were the first people to 'conquer' Scotland's mountains, and why did they do it?

• Which clergyman climbed all the Cairngorm 4,000-ers nearly two centuries ago?
• How many Munro's did Bonnie Prince Charlie bag?
• Which bandit and sheep rustler hid in the mountains while his wife saw off the sheriff officers with a shotgun?
• According to Gaelic tradition, how did an outlier of the rugged Corbett Beinn Aridh Charr come to be called Spidean Moirich, 'Martha's Peak'?
• Who was the murderous clansman who gave his name to Beinn Fhionnlaidh?

Scotland's Mountains Before the Mountaineers is divided into four Highland regions, with a map of each region showing key summits. While not designed primarily as a guide, it is nevertheless a useful handbook for walkers and climbers. Based on a wealth of new research, this book offers a fresh perspective that will fascinate climbers and mountaineers, and anyone interested in the history of mountaineering, cartography, the evolution of the landscape and the social history of the Scottish highlands.