Trig Points

[overloaded]

Are there trig points on all the Monroes?

[Mal Grey]

Are there trig points on all the Monroes?

No, only some. It depends entirely on whether they were useful enough for surveying to build a permanent surveying pillar. For example there are none on the Mamores according to the OS map, possibly because they are overlooked by the higher Ben Nevis massif.

They're also not always on the actual highest point, for the same reason.

OS maps show them as a small triangle with a dot in it.

[jmarkb]

There is a list here of Munros with Trig Points (55 of them)
http://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/waypoints/download/?list=trigpoints&display=onlyhillsinbothlists&list2=Munros
though there seems to be some inconsistency - it includes some where the trig is not at the summit (e.g. Ben Vorlich, Carn nan Gabhar) and omits others (e.g. Slioch). Anyhow, roughly 20% of the Munros have trig points.

[Dave Hewitt]

There is a list here of Munros with Trig Points (55 of them)
http://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/waypoints/download/?list=trigpoints&display=onlyhillsinbothlists&list2=Munros
though there seems to be some inconsistency - it includes some where the trig is not at the summit (e.g. Ben Vorlich, Carn nan Gabhar) and omits others (e.g. Slioch). Anyhow, roughly 20% of the Munros have trig points.

Also, some on that list aren't there any more (the trigs, not the Munros) - eg the Beinn Ime and Schiehallion ones have been gone for donkey's years. Is a while since I've been on Cruachan but I seem to recall that one's there but broken. As jmarkb says they're not always on top even when they are there - the Beinn a'Ghlo main summit one is a notorious example, as the top of the hill is a bit beyond (if coming the standard way), across a boulderfield. Have fun!

[Sgurr]

If you want to know if the hill you are climbing has a recognisable summit feature (useful in low cloud) look it up first on hill bagging https://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/. There is also a photo of whatever is there so you can be sure you reached to top.

or google e.g.Slioch hill bagging http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?rf=1010

[StevieC]

There is a list here of Munros with Trig Points (55 of them)
http://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/waypoints/download/?list=trigpoints&display=onlyhillsinbothlists&list2=Munros
though there seems to be some inconsistency - it includes some where the trig is not at the summit (e.g. Ben Vorlich, Carn nan Gabhar) and omits others (e.g. Slioch). Anyhow, roughly 20% of the Munros have trig points.

Also, some on that list aren't there any more (the trigs, not the Munros) - eg the Beinn Ime and Schiehallion ones have been gone for donkey's years. Is a while since I've been on Cruachan but I seem to recall that one's there but broken. As jmarkb says they're not always on top even when they are there - the Beinn a'Ghlo main summit one is a notorious example, as the top of the hill is a bit beyond (if coming the standard way), across a boulderfield. Have fun!

On Carn Gorm the trig point is a broken pile of rubble AND it's not the true summit!

[rabthecairnterrier]

A few years ago the OS were promoting a scheme whereby local communities or walking groups could "adopt" a local trig point and take responsibility for maintaining it in good condition. Nice idea, but unfortunately it never seemed to catch on.
More recently a newly appointed head of Visit Scotland came up with the bright idea of placing a marker on every Munro summit along with a plaque with the name of the hill on it. Evidently he didn't know much about Scottish hillgoing culture. Following a (justifiable) outcry the idea was dropped as quickly as the proverbial hot potato.

[overloaded]

Thank you all for your replies.

Stay safe and keep walking

[Pointless Parasite]

More recently a newly appointed head of Visit Scotland came up with the bright idea of placing a marker on every Munro summit along with a plaque with the name of the hill on it. Evidently he didn't know much about Scottish hillgoing culture. Following a (justifiable) outcry the idea was dropped as quickly as the proverbial hot potato.

I have wondered about this. They often have similar things in the Alps:

Maybe this is a bit OTT:

What exactly was the reason for the outcry? Is it the idea that we should 'leave no trace' or some sort of weird logic that by making mountains safer (by helping people avoid getting lost) we are actually making them more dangerous by encouraging more ill prepared people onto the hills?

[davekeiller]

Adding markers to the summits of Scotland's mountains would irrevocably change them, for no real benefit.

[CharlesT]

Adding markers to the summits of Scotland's mountains would irrevocably change them, for no real benefit.

Quite right. Don't want any of that foreign nonsense here!

[rohan]

Are there trig points on all the Monroes?

You could join the happy band of Triggers. The Munro pillars are some of the easier ones to find as there is a well trodden path to each, and plenty of route descriptions etc. Others (not conviniently situated at the top of a mountain) are overcome by gorse or in the depths of sitka plantations. and you need protective gear to get out alive.Some, like the one at NH557477 on the Beauly Firth, a mere 2 m above sea level, have been buried by the landowner to discourage visitors.
These are just the pillars, there are also the fundamental benchmarks, (approx 200), lower order benchmarks (250,000) and tidal gauges ( to measure mean sea level). The Munro pillars barely scratch the surface of the whole triangulation story which has now moved on to use approx 1000 passive stations and GPS technology. Bet you wish you'd never asked!
http://trigpointing.uk/trigs/

[Sgurr]

This is one in Fife. Took us ages to find, even thought we had its exact position on the map, and also its co-ordinates. I wouldn't advise trig bagging, unless you have exhausted all other lists (I hasten to add, that I haven't. just needed something to do in Fife)

[Mal Grey]

I know a few like that!

Of course, there is also the "sport" of seeing how many people you can get on top of a trig point. Ours is 9, AFTER the pub (in a field in Hampshire), a loooooong time ago. Sober, no chance. Not recommended on most mountain tops!

[Sgurr]

Of course, there is also the "sport" of seeing how many people you can get on top of a trig point. Ours is 9, AFTER the pub (in a field in Hampshire), a loooooong time ago. Sober, no chance. Not recommended on most mountain tops!

Is there a Guinness world record for this ? My googling technique is improving under the pressures of the "give us a P Bob quiz" but I can't find one.