Authors Ken Crocket and Simon Richardson have been at the forefront of the Ben Nevis story, both as climbers and as chroniclers of the people, events and unique character of Britain’s Highest Mountain. Ken Crocket authored the previous edition and co-authored the climbers' guide to Glen Coe. Simon Richardson has authored the past three editions of the climbers' guide to Ben Nevis.

The latest and second edition of the Scottish Mountaineering Trust’s book Ben Nevis: Britain's Highest Mountain, is a heavyweight hardback compilation of facts, figures and details on this bastion of the British mountaineering scene. Detailing the history of Ben Nevis and bringing it up to date from the 1st edition, by adding the period from 1986 to 2008 has made this a valuable resource for the mountaineer historian.

The book is highly illustrated, with more than 400 (mostly colour) photographs, diagrams and maps and painstakingly researched to give the history of a mountain, from 1585 – 2008, whose global status far outstrips its modest altitude. The information contained within details stories of climbers, poets, geologists, cartographers and pioneering meteorologists. During a period of more than 100 years, mountaineers have honed their skills and equipment on the flanks and ridges of Ben Nevis and applied them to climbs and expeditions on altitudes in the Alps and Greater Ranges.

Today, climbing on Ben Nevis is more popular than ever and the mountain’s international reputation continues to grow, as its cliffs offer up some of the most challenging traditional summer and winter climbs in the world.

The book includes chapters on the Ben Nevis Observatory, Ben Nevis Distillery, Ben Nevis Aluminium Smelter, Ben Nevis Hill Race, Environment and Conservation, Gaelic Place Names, Geology and Mapping.

All profits from the sale of this book and any other SMT or SMC guides provides revenue for the Trust which help provide grants for the footpaths repair and maintenance, land purchase and education and training. Help to support this venture and purchase a copy for your coffee table so that you too can go and become part of the history that makes Ben Nevis.

by Dave Brown