One of the great things about Munro bagging is that the mountains are free. There's no lift pass, no entry fee, no booking system. The right to roam in Scotland means you can walk anywhere on open land without permission or payment. But the costs of getting there, equipping yourself, and finding accommodation can add up quickly if you're not thoughtful about it.
Here's how to keep Munro bagging affordable.
Gear: Buy Smart, Buy Once
Mountain gear is expensive, but most of it lasts years if you look after it. The key is spending money where it matters and saving where it doesn't.
Worth Investing In
- Waterproof jacket: This is your single most important item. A cheap waterproof that leaks after two hours in heavy rain is worthless. Budget £100-200 for a jacket that will genuinely keep you dry. Look for sales at Cotswold Outdoor, Tiso, or online at Ultralight Outdoor Gear.
- Boots: Your feet carry you up every mountain. Properly fitted, waterproof boots prevent blisters and keep you comfortable. £80-150 for boots that last 3-5 years is excellent value per hill day.
Save Money On
- Base layers: Decathlon merino tops at £15 perform identically to £80 branded ones.
- Fleece: Charity shops are full of excellent fleeces. A £5 charity shop fleece works as well on a mountain as a £90 one.
- Rucksack: A basic 30L daypack is fine for getting started. You don't need ultralight carbon fibre suspension.
- Walking poles: Decathlon sell perfectly adequate poles for £20-30.
Second-Hand
The outdoor gear second-hand market is excellent. Check:
- Facebook Marketplace and local hillwalking groups
- eBay (search for specific models)
- Gear swaps at mountaineering clubs
- Vinted and Depop for clothing
Accommodation: Sleep Cheap
Wild Camping (Free)
Scotland's right to roam includes wild camping. A tent, sleeping bag, and mat are a one-off investment that eliminate accommodation costs entirely. See our wild camping guide for details.
Bothies (Free)
Scotland has a network of over 100 mountain bothies — simple shelters maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association. They're free to use, first-come-first-served, and range from basic four-wall shelters to reasonably comfortable stone cottages. Carry a sleeping bag and mat. Many are in stunning locations perfect for multi-day Munro trips.
Hostels (£15-30/night)
SYHA hostels in Fort William, Glencoe, Aviemore, and other mountain towns offer affordable beds with drying rooms — a genuine luxury after a wet day on the hill.
Campsites (£8-15/night)
Basic campsites near Munro hotspots provide a pitch, toilet, and sometimes a shower. Much cheaper than wild camping gear if you're driving and can leave the tent set up as a base.
Transport: Getting There
Car Sharing
Fuel costs are the biggest ongoing expense for Munro baggers. Sharing lifts with other walkers halves or thirds the cost. Join local hillwalking clubs or online groups (Walkhighlands forum, Facebook Munro bagging groups) to find partners heading to the same area.
Public Transport
Surprisingly viable for some Munros:
- Citylink buses: Glasgow to Fort William, Inverness, Glencoe, and Skye. Often cheaper than fuel.
- ScotRail: The West Highland Line to Fort William and the line to Aviemore pass through mountain country. Off-peak tickets with railcard can be very cheap.
- Postbuses: Some remote areas are served by Royal Mail postbuses that carry passengers.
Multi-Munro Days
The most cost-effective approach is combining multiple Munros in a single trip. Many Munros come in natural pairs or groups that share an approach: Ben Lawers with Beinn Ghlas, Stob Binnein with Ben More, and so on. Planning circuits and multi-day trips maximises peaks per pound of fuel.
Food: Mountain Fuel
- Batch cook: Make burritos, pasta salads, or wraps at home. Far cheaper than buying lunch at a mountain café.
- Buy in bulk: Trail mix, flapjack ingredients, and energy bars are much cheaper bought in bulk than individually.
- Flask of tea: The cheapest luxury in hillwalking. Costs pennies, tastes like a million pounds at the summit.
The Free Stuff
Remember what costs nothing:
- Access to every mountain in Scotland
- Mountain weather forecasts (MWIS is free)
- The Munros app (free to download)
- Views that no amount of money can buy
- The satisfaction of standing on a summit you walked to under your own power
Track your Munros
Log summits, get summit weather, and follow GPS routes with the free Munros app.
Download free