The Scottish Mountaineering Club was formed in Glasgow in 1889, as a result of correspondence in the Glasgow Herald initiated by William W. Naismith. Although other Scottish clubs existed at this time, such as the Cairngorm Club, these had only local membership and limited technical aspirations. By contrast, the founder members of the SMC included a good number who already had Alpine experience and wished to use their skills in their native country.
In the early 1960s the SMC formed a charitable trust, the Scottish Mountaineering Trust. Part funded by revenue from the SMC's guidebooks, the Trust has given support to many projects over the years, including to the National Trust for Scotland and of the John Muir Trust and to footpath maintenance projects generally. The Trust also supports Mountaineering Scotland.
Publisher's website 2018
This is a highly illustrated and painstakingly researched history of a mountain whose global status far outstrips its modest altitude. Containing a significant amount of new research and historical information, this 2nd edition fully updates the history of Ben Nevis from 1585 to 2008.
Known the World over, today climbing on Ben Nevis is more popular than ever and the mountain's international reputation continues to grow, as its cliffs offer up some of the most challenging traditional summer and winter climbs around. Mountaineers have honed their skills and equipment on its flanks and ridges and applied them to dazzling effect on mountains around the World. A must have book for anyone who has climbed on, or is interested in the history of this great mountain.
