30 Best Mountains in Scotland: Corbetts, Grahams & Sub-2000s

Scotland is well known for its mountainous landscape and it is a hub for keen hillwalkers from all around the world. This post lists the most famous mountains in Scotland, all of which are classified as Corbetts, Grahams and Sub-2000s.

The country is well known for the Munros, peaks that reach over 3,000 feet.

There are 282 peaks that keen Munro baggers can try and conquer. It is an addictive hobby which will take you years.

Due to the popularity of the Munros, the small peaks including Corbetts, Grahams and Sub-2000s are overlooked. So many hills in Scotland have spectacular views from the summits. 

Corbetts

Corbetts is the name for Scotland’s second tier of mountains. There are 222 Corbetts in Scotland.

The Corbetts of Scotland is over 2,500 feet (762 metres) and under 3,000 feet (914 metres).

For a mountain to be classed as a Corbett, there has to be a drop of at least 500 feet (152 metres) between each listed hill and any adjacent high one. The name ‘Corbett’ comes from John Rooke Corbett who created the first list in the 1920s. 

Ben Ledi, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Ben Ledi is located near Callander in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. On the way up, good views of Loch Lubnaig come into view.

From the peak of the mountain there are excellent views, mountains that can be seen include Ben Lomond, Arrochar Alps, Ben More, Stùc a’Chròin and Ben Lawers.

On a clear day, hikers can see as far as Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle. Also, this is a popular walk due to the close proximity to the Central Belt.

The Cobbler, Loch Lomond

The Cobbler is one of the most popular hills to climb in Scotland. This mountain is located in the Arrochar Alps which is also home to four Munros, Ben Vorlich, Ben Vane, Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain.

The Arrochar Alps is only an hour’s drive away from Glasgow, its easy access makes it a popular choice for those who live in the central belt. 

Overall, this is a great walk, it is a varied route involving clear tracks, steep ascent and some scrambling. The true summit is on top of an impressive pinnacle, you need to be a good scrambler to get to the top of it. 

Goat Fell, Isle of Arran

Goatfell is a Corbett that looks over Brodick on the Isle of Arran. Start at Brodick Castle for the easiest and shorted route, however, there are other routes available which are longer and more challenging.

The Isle of Arran is known as “Scotland in Miniature” and from the peak of Goatfell, you can see why. This is a rural area which is packed with wildlife, keep your eyes peeled for eagles and buzzards.

Morven, Aberdeenshire

Morven is located to the east of the Cairngorms National Park. Its location makes it a popular ascent for those who live in Aberdeen. When the hill is seen from the east, it looks very prominent.

On the ascent, you will pass an abandoned farmhouse. From the summit, the views across Aberdeenshire are extensive.

Bennachie and Mither Tap are easy to pick out. Also, you can see Munros – Mount Keen and Lochnagar in the distance.

The Cairngorms National Park is home to 55 Munros.

Ben Vrackie, Perthshire

Ben Vrackie is located near Pitlochry and is easy to access from the A9 and central belt. The brilliant views, good paths and easy access make Ben Vrackie a very popular Corbett.

Ben Vrackie also gets called the “Speckled Mountain” due to the speckled with white quartz rocks.

Benvane, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Benvane is located between Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Benvane is adjoined by a ridge to the neighbouring Corbett, Ben Ledi.

Broad Law, Scottish Borders

Broad Law is the highest hill in the Scottish Borders to the east side of the M74, it is the second-highest summit in the Southern Uplands of Scotland. 

There are mossy slopes which are topped with an air traffic beacon and a radio tower.

White Coomb, Dumfries and Galloway

White Coomb is the highest hill in the Moffat Hills. There is a popular circular walk which takes you up Grey Mare’s Tail to beautiful Loch Skeen before reaching the summit of White Coomb.

Askival, Isle of Rum 

Askival is the finest and highest on the majestic Rum Cuillin.  Also, this magnificent pyramidal peak is the highest peak on the Small Isles.

Ferries run from Mallaig by Caledonian MacBrayne or in the summer season from Arisaig on the MV Shearwater.

Meall a’Bhuachaille

Meall a’Bhuachille is an accessible mountain located in the Cairngorms National Park, standing above Loch Morlich. The starting point is Glenmore Visitor Centre.

On route, there are scenic views, a bothy, and views of the largest native forest in the UK. From the summit, there are excellent views across Cairn Gorm and its northern corries.

Grahams

There are 219 Grahams in Scotland. Grahams are mountains that are between 2,000 and 2,500 feet high, slightly shorter than Corbetts (over 2500 feet) and Munros (3000 feet).

For a mountain to be classed as a Graham there have to be at least 150 feet of descent on all sides. The Scottish Mountaineering Society published the Grahams list in 1997.

The list was gathered by Alan Dawn and Fiona Torbet (nee Graham). The Grahams are also known as the Fionas.

Those peaks between 2,000 and 2,999 that are south of the Highland fault line are also known as Donalds. In total, there are 89 Donalds.

The Pap of Glencoe/ Sgòrr na Cìche

The Pap of Glencoe is the remains of a volcanic peak rising above the glen of Glen Coe, located around the lower end of Loch Leven.

The route is very steep and it is a very rough hill walk, at the top, there is a scramble. This is one of the easiest summits in the Glencoe area and is perfect for those who want to hike but do not want to try and bag a Munro.

Marsco, Isle of Skye

Marsco is often described as one of the best Corbetts in Scotland. A fantastic peak in the Red Hills can be seen from Sligachan Bridge.

From the summit, walkers can admire the dramatic ridge line of Sgurr nan Gillean and the rest of Cuillins on the Isle of Skye. A popular route to take to get to the summit is through Glen Sligachan and following the Allt na Measarroch upstream.

Suilven, Highland

Suilven has a remarkable outline making it one of Scotland’s best known and most easily identified mountains. It is a serene mountain with steep ridges and rising from a nature reserve of bogs and moorland. 

Ben Venue, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Starting at the car park at Loch Achray follow a path which takes you through private roads, woodland and forestry tracks which are signposted before you ascend the round hill. There are odd steep, rocky and very boggy sections. 

On a clear day, from the top of Ben Venue, there are fantastic views of Loch Katrine and the neighbouring Ben A’an, Ben More and Ben Lomond. The walk to Ben Venue is often started at Loch Achray or Ledard Farm. 

Ben Cleuch, The Ochills

The Ochills is a mountain range in Central Scotland, Ben Cleuch is the highest hill in the Ochills.

Also, Ben Cleuch is the highest point in Clackmannanshire with great panoramic views across the Forth Valley, Perthshire Hills and the Lothians out to the Pentlands.

When the sky is clear, all three Forth Bridges can be seen in the distance. The route involves walking through the dramatic Mill Glen, also, the route ascends up the Law and over Ben Ever.

The Buck, Aberdeenshire

The Buck is located on the northerly borders of Moray and Aberdeenshire.

On a clear day, there are stunning views all around, especially northeast over Aberdeenshire towards the Tap o’Noth and Strathbogie. The walk goes past a wind farm and can be a bit boggy espiecially at the bottom. 

There are some lovely views of the Munros near Aberdeen.

The Storr, Isle of Skye

The Storr is located on the Trotternish peninsula and is possibly one of the best and most popular walks located on the Isle of Skye. The ‘Old Man’ is a large pinnacle of rock that stands high and can be seen for miles around.

The 50-metre pinnacle looks incredible, it was first climbed in 1955 by legendary mountaineer Don Whillans. This is one of the iconic places in Scotland.

From this viewpoint, there are brilliant views of the Old Man and across the Sound of Raasay. The car park is approximately a 10-minute drive from Portree.

Cairnsmore of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway

Cairnsmore of Fleet is the most southerly hill in Scotland that is above 2,000 feet. This walk is a reasonably sensible hill walk with good paths and signage for parking.

From the top, there are brilliant views across the surrounding Galloway Hills, Cree Estuary and the Solway Firth. To explore the best of the region of Dumfries and Galloway, try the South West Coastal 300.

Tinto, South Lanarkshire

Tinto is a conical-shaped mountain located in South Lanarkshire and it is the highest point in central Lanarkshire. The summit cairn is one of the biggest in Scotland, the cairn dates back to the Bronze Age.

On a good clear day, there are magnificent views of the Lake District, Mourne mountains in Northern Ireland, Ailsa Craig and Arran in the Firth of Clyde. 

Stac Pollaidh, Assynt

Stac Pollaidh is located near Ullapool, it is one of the best hikes in Assynt and North West Scotland. This is a popular hill to climb if you are embarking on the North Coast 500.

Stac Pollaidh is a 5km circular route which takes 2-4 hours to complete.

From the summit, you can see the contrast in the flat ground, lochs and large lumps of mountains. Including the Summer Isles, Loch Lurgainn and Loch Bad a’Ghaill.

Sub-2000s

The Sub-2000s of Scotland are the hills below 2000 feet, that rise at least 150 metres above the surrounding land on all sides. Sub-2000s are good hills to climb that do not take the whole day. 

Ben A’an, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Another peak located in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Ben A’an is a popular climb due to its proximity to the Central Belt and ease of access.

It is a small climb to get big rewarding views. From the peak, there is a great view across Loch Katrine, Ben Venue, Ben Lomond and Loch Achray. Meall Gainmheich is the parent peak of Ben A’an. 

Dumyat, The Ochills

Dumyat is located on the western end of the Ochills, it is a perfect hill climb for those who live in Stirling. A walk up the hill path is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening.

There are two routes to chose from, one is slightly shorter but steeper. 

There are a couple of memorials on the top of Dumyat, including one to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and a famous beacon which was used in the 1977 Queen’s silver jubilee celebrations.

From the top of Dumyat, there are good views across Stirling including Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle. On a clear day, the views stretch across to Ben Lomond, Ben Ledi, Ben Lawers and Forth Valley.

Bennachie, Aberdeenshire

Bennachie is a popular choice for those who live in Aberdeen. The mountain is located on the eastern side of the Cairngorms National Park.

The two peaks are often known as Bennachie, Oxen Craig and Mither Tap.

Oxen Craig is the highest point and Mither Tap is more well-known as there is an Iron age hill fort ruins at the summit. To find out more information on Bennachie, visit the Bennachie Visitor Centre. 

West Lomond, Fife

West Lomond is the highest summit in Fife, the peak can be seen from most of the Kingdom of Fife and parts of Kinross.

The easiest way to get up West Lomond is to ascend from Craigmead, another longer option is ascending from the fantastic rock formations at the Bunnet Stane. West Lomond takes two hours to complete. 

Sgùrr na Strì, Isle of Skye

Sgùrr na Strì is a Sub-2000 peak on the Isle of Skye. It is one of the longest routes to take to bag a Sub-2000.

The walk is 14.5 miles long and takes 7.5 hours to complete.

The best place to start this walk is on the south side of the river, opposite the hotel where there is a car park. There are immense rewards from this long and rugged walk.

Many people have reviewed this summit as one of the finest views in all of Britain. There are views across Loch Coruisk, the Cuillin and the sea.

An Sgurr, Isle of Eigg

An Sgurr is a dramatic hill on the Isle of Eigg, one of the small isles on the west coast of Scotland. The gigantic portion of volcanic rock has steep parts involved in the climb and there is rocky scrambling along the ridge. 

From the top of An Sgurr there are unobstructed vast views over the nearby islands in the Small Isles. 

Also, on a clear day, you can see as far as the Cuillins on the Isle of Skye. To get to the Isle of Eigg, visitors have to catch a ferry from Mallaig. Also, there are limited services from Arisaig.

Ailsa Craig, Ayrshire

Ailsa Craig is a granite island just off the coast of Ayrshire. The large mound of Earth is the remnant plug of an extinct volcano. There are ferries available from Girvan.

Girvan is a town which can be visited as part of the Shire, The Coig.

There is a pier, a few old buildings to explore, an abandoned fort and a loch on the island. From the trig point, there are amazing views across the small island and back to the mainland.

Arthurs Seat, Edinburgh

Arthur’s Seat is located in Holyrood Park, at the end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. It is one of the fort hill forts that date back 2,000 years ago.

The area is a site of Special Scientific Interest with its diverse range of flora and geology. The large grass hill is the remains of an extinct volcano.

Salisbury Crags, 150-foot cliff face was formed by the erosion of a glacier. Volcanic action took place here 350 million years ago.

From the top, there are brilliant views in all directions. Arthurs Seat is an oasis of calm in a retreat from the busy city.

There is a variety of ways to walk through Holyrood Park to get to the summit, some routes are more scenic than others. There is a car park near Holyrood Palace.

There are many hills near Edinburgh to climb, as well as Munros for keen walkers.

Moncreiffe Hill, Perthshire

Moncreiffe Hill is a beautiful summit covered by mixed woodland located just three miles south of Perth. The summit is marked by a small cairn and there are remains of an iron-age fort.

There are brilliant views from the summit, especially over Perth and the River Tay to the north, in the distance you can see the outline of the Highland’s mountainous landscape. 

North Berwick Law, East Lothian

North Berwick Law is a conical hill located near North Berwick, a forty-five minute drive east of Edinburgh. This is the smallest peak on this list, thus, it is the easiest to ascend.

North Berwick was once a popular resort in the 19th century and attracted holidaymakers from all over the country. The summit is marked by a trig point, a set of jawbones.

An original set of jaw bones was placed on the hill in 1709, and the current replica was placed in 2005. From the peak of North Berwick Law, there are excellent views across the coast, the Bass Rock, Edinburgh and the Pentlands. 

What is a Sub-2000 hill?

A Sub-2000 is a hill in Scotland that sits between 150 metres (492 feet) and 609 metres.

A Sub-2000 hill usually takes two hours to climb, therefore it is a good way to spend a morning, afternoon or summer evening. If you are new to hill walking, these types of hills are good places to practice.

What are the hills in Scotland called?

The hills of Scotland are called Sub-2000s, Grahams, Corbetts and Munros. These names have different meanings and define the height and classify the mountains.

Munros are the highest and are mountains that are over 914 metres (3,000 feet). 

The Sub-2000s of Scotland are the hills below 2000 feet, that rise at least 150 metres above the surrounding land on all sides. Sub-2000s are good hills to climb that do not take the whole day. 

Grahams are mountains that are between 2000 and 2500 feet high, slightly shorter than Corbetts (over 2500 feet) and Munros (3000 feet).

For a mountain to be classed as a Graham there have to be at least 150 feet of descent on all sides. 

The Corbetts of Scotland is over 2,500 feet (762 metres) and under 3,000 feet (914 metres).

For a mountain to be classed as a Corbett, there has to be a drop of at least 500 feet (152 metres) between each listed hill and any adjacent high one.

The Top 10 Most Popular Corbetts

1. The Cobbler
2. Ben Ledi
3. Ben Vrackie
4. Goat Fell
5. Meall a’Bhuachaille
6. Ben Rinnes
7. Beinn Each
8. Merrick 
9. Ben Donich
10. Morrone

The Top 10 Most Popular Grahams

1. Tinto
2. Ben Cleuch
3. Ben Venue
4. Stac Pollaidh
5. Pap of Glencoe
6. Beinn Dubh
7. Suilven
8. The Storr
9. Culter Fell 
10. Meall Fuar-mhonaidh

Final Note

Bigger is not always better. Scotland is known for its Munros and mountainous landscapes. However, there is a wide selection of smaller hills that hikers can embark on.

This post lists the top ten Sub-2000, Corbetts and Grahams (Fionas) to climb. The peaks are listed in height order, from the highest first to the lowest. 

Make sure you are prepared for climbing mountains in Scotland. It is important you have good comfy hiking shoes.

Also, it is important to check the weather forecast and plan ahead. You will find taking a backpack that has snacks, water, extra clothes, a map, and a battery pack. 

Hiking is a good way to get exercise, also, it is good for your mental health. You will be rewarded with the most amazing views of the landscapes across Scotland.