Ossians last munro: The tiny guy who did them all

[OssianTheDog]

Ossian up A’Chralaig, Kintail

Ossian is a five and a half year old Jack Russell Chihuahua mix. We've had him from a puppy and ever since he was old enough to manage, have taken him out on the hills with us.

Ossian on Beinn Eighe, Torridon

My partner Graeme and I would occasionally take my mums Jack Russell Bonzo on our munro adventures and when Ossian arrived he was more than happy to become Bonzos munro dog apprentice.

Munro dog in training: Ossian under the supervision of Bonzo on An Socach

We had already done a few munros when we got Ossian, so he had a bit of catching up to do. His first munro was An Socach in Glen Shee on a blustery day where Bonzo showed him the ropes.

Ossian’s first munro An Socach, Glen Shee

This was when our munro adventures really started to take off…

Coming off Aonach Mor, Glen Nevis

I am constantly in awe of the way Ossian takes everything we do in his Stride and with such aplomb.

Ossian and Ben Nevis

That's not to say there weren't challenges along the way. Ossian is a really small guy, which means it is sometimes tricky finding suitably robust outdoor gear for him. I've modified most of the things he uses, but I think his most well used and recognizable bit of kit is his repurposed Halloween skeleton costume which after some slight tweaking turned out to be a fantastic all weather durable fleece jacket.

Ossian sporting his trusty skeleton fleece

As with all of us it is the extremes in weather conditions that can prove to be the most challenging, he manages absolutely fine in wintry conditions but there is the rare occasion he needs to go in the rucksack if the snow is too fresh and deep for him to be able to walk on top of.

Ossian getting a wee lift up Sron a Choire Ghaibh, Loch Lochy

There have also been a couple of occasions on very windy days where the lead was necessary to prevent him being blown away.

Challenging weather up Ciste Dhubh, Kintail

The heat is probably one of the most challenging conditions but frequent water and shade breaks and regular dookings (much to Ossian's chagrin) do the trick.
For many of the munros where it is possible to cycle sections I have a basket attached to my bike which Ossian hitches a lift in, allowing him to comfortably take in the views as I struggle along.

Ossian in his basket on the road out to Ben Alder, Dalwhinnie

He has never had any trouble with his foot pads on walks, but I had read about how rough the Cuillin rocks were so in preparation invested in a bunch of soft doggy shoes, which although required frequent repair were easy and cheap to replace if one became unusable.

Ossian in his shoes up the back of Sgurr Alasdair in the Cuillins

Ossian is a natural born rockhopper and manages far more competently than me on any scrambles.

Ossian and I scrambling up Ruadh Stac Mor, Fisherfield

He loves a bit of scrambling and had a great time spotting the goats of the Aonach Eagach ridge, tackling the Horns of Alligin, conquering Ben Nevis via the CMD and taking on An Teallach.

Ossian taking in the An Teallach ridge, Dundonnell

We had begun exploring the Cuillin hills when I started to think about how we would do the Inaccessible Pinnacle.

Sgurr a Mhadaidh, Cuillins

I will admit I was nervous about approaching a guide to ask about taking Ossian up the In Pinn with us, but we were lucky enough to bump into Skye guide Adrian Trendall when we were tackling Sgurr MhicChoinnich, we got chatting and discovered Adrian had assisted Genghis the springer up the pinnacle previously and was more than happy to take Ossian.

Ossian roped and ready to go at the base of the In Pinn

A few weeks later we were roped up and ready to go, Ossian was roped to our harnesses from his harness and was comfortably secured in Graeme’s rucksack, from where he could keep a close eye on my sweaty progress up the Pinnacle. He calmly traversed the whole Pinnacle this way including the abseil down.

Ossian and Graeme abseiling down the In Pinn

Ossian is always happy to be along for the adventure whether it's camping in Fisherfield or bivvying on Brearich or sleeping uncomfortably in the car he's always up for the adventure.

Ossian Bivvying on Braeriach, Cairngorms

Graeme and I finished our munros in April on Ben More, Mull where the three of us had the delight of meeting hill walking legend Hazel Strachan at the summit.

Graeme and I’s final munro, Ben More, Mull

We then spent the summer catching Ossian up with his remaining munros.

Ossian on the way up Liathach, Torridon

One of the first hills that really made me fall in love with the munros was Bla Bheinn on Skye, so we decided that this would be perfect for Ossian's final munro.

Ossian, Steph, Euan, young Corin and Graeme on the way up Bla Bheinn

We were joined by friends Steph and Euan (Steph was also there for Ossian's first munro An Socach) and their son Corin (11 months) whose first munro this was. Ossian had his favourite hill snack of hot dogs on the way up and a rump steak cooked medium rare at the summit. He was cheered to the summit by Richard and his lovely family, by chance Richard was also compleating his munro round on Bla Bheinn that day.

Bla Bheinn, Ossian’s final munro

Since finishing his munro round Ossian has already begun exploring the Corbetts and the Grahams and is looking forward to many more adventures, but I believe he is really only in it for the smells and sausages.

Ossian up Corbett Beinn a’Chuallaich

[rockhopper]

Many congratulations, that's a fantastic achievement. I do like the bike basket and boots - cheers

[Grisu]

Best munro chosen to complete, really!!!
Congratulation Ossian! Great little dog!!!

[OssianTheDog]

Many congratulations, that's a fantastic achievement. I do like the bike basket and boots - cheers

Thank you very much Ossians not such a fan of the boots but LOVES the bike basket, especially after a long day walking

[OssianTheDog]

Best munro chosen to complete, really!!!
Congratulation Ossian! Great little dog!!!

Thank you I'm so proud of him... though I get the feeling he's only in it for the hot dogs

[Sgurr]

I believe Hamish Brown's Kitchy was the first canine Munro compleator (and his Storm has done them too). Anne Butler thought that Mollie the Collie was the first canine Corbett compleator but Raymond Shaws' Grover came out of the woodwork at the news, having done it some years earlier. However, her Ralph is probably the first canine Donaldist compleator, and I thought that he had done the Grahams as well, but maybe not. . Congratulation to Ossian (and to you) for joining such exalted company. I hope you are going to send his name in. YES there is a list here https://www.themunrosociety.com/canine-completers.. CONGRATULATIONS

[OssianTheDog]

I believe Hamish Brown's Kitchy was the first canine Munro compleator (and his Storm has done them too). Anne Butler thought that Mollie the Collie was the first canine Corbett compleator but Raymond Shaws' Grover came out of the woodwork at the news, having done it some years earlier. However, her Ralph is probably the first canine Donaldist compleator, and I thought that he had done the Grahams as well, but maybe not. . Congratulation to Ossian (and to you) for joining such exalted company. I hope you are going to send his name in. YES there is a list here https://www.themunrosociety.com/canine-completers.. CONGRATULATIONS

Thank you Ossian truly is in great company! I'm so proud of my little guy I will definitely be writing to the munro society to make sure his accomplishment is recognised. Ossian, however, is now expecting a steak at the top of every hill

[Mal Grey]

Excellent. I'm sure its not just the hot dogs, he must just enjoy being outside doing stuff, but no doubt they seal the deal.

Well done little fella.


If I ever go back to the Cuillin, Adrian is going to need a bigger rucksack for me...

[Huff_n_Puff]

Brilliant, massive congratulations Ossian, and to your trusty humans, you really have them well trained - hot dogs and rump steak at the summit - I drool

[past my sell by date]

What a great story - and five and a half years is exceeeding fast

[KatTai]

Congratulations Ossian, fabulous report

[OssianTheDog]

Excellent. I'm sure its not just the hot dogs, he must just enjoy being outside doing stuff, but no doubt they seal the deal.

Well done little fella.


If I ever go back to the Cuillin, Adrian is going to need a bigger rucksack for me...

Thank you ahahah yes he was most disappointed on our recent walk where I had swapped the hotdogs out for chicken. It was also a close call whether I needed to go in the rucksack in the Cuillins too

[OssianTheDog]

Brilliant, massive congratulations Ossian, and to your trusty humans, you really have them well trained - hot dogs and rump steak at the summit - I drool

Thank you very much Indeed I often wonder who has trained who

[Bruno]

What a wonderful story! He`s a real wee trouper. Well done to all of you!!

[OssianTheDog]

What a great story - and five and a half years is exceeeding fast

Thank you I couldn't ask for a better hill buddy than him. The poor wee guy didn't have much of choice as soon as he was old enough he was up the hills just as well he enjoys it