by Steve Kew
Cicerone, 2005, ISBN 1-85284-402-7 and 1-85284-403-5, , pocket size, PVC cover. £12.00 each

Vol 1 Southern, Central and Western Highlands.

These are very well laid out and practical guidebooks. They tell you everything you need to know when planning your mountain day and they contain other interesting and valuable information. Colour coding makes for easy reference. At the beginning of each route there is comprehensive information about heights, grid references, using GPS, times, parking, access, places to stay or camp and, importantly, where to contact in the stalking season. This is followed by the author's comments about the hills to be tackled and the surrounding terrain. The route maps are colour contoured and at the beginning of each book there are area maps with an overview of all the Munros. There are alphabetical and height indices and some stunning photographs too. The guides will be particularly useful to beginners at the Munro Game.

Ros Adams writes of Volume 1: 'This is the best laid out, practical guidebook I have come across and convenient to pop in your rucksack. The 'Tops', the other 227 hills over 3000', are also marked and named. My advice is to include them in your Munro day for a tick on your chart. I wished I hadn't missed out so many! The book is meant for summer walking and the suggested times, without stops, are easily achieved by the fit hill walker'.

Vol 2 Northern Highlands and the Cairngorms.

Olive McCann writes of Volume 2:  'I liked the descriptions of the Cuiilin routes, where the difficulties of such large areas of rocky, scrambly ground are pointed out as they occur and are not exaggerated. Also the author does not underestimate the expedition in the Fisherfield forest and the need for good weather to accompany it. Three of us did it the other way round from that described, but it was glorious, and reading the guide makes me want to drive up there and put my boots on! Thanks are due to 'compleated' Munroists in the Club for their comments'.

Reviewed by Ros Adams and Olive McCann