The number of Munroists (those who have completed a round of all the mountains in the Scottish Highlands over 3,000 ft) now exceeds 2,700, the vast majority having completed within the last twenty years.

Although Scotland has many mountaineering clubs, up to now there has been no attempt to bring together in one organisation the wealth of mountaineering experience that Munroists represent. Thus The Munro Society is not intended to be yet another mountaineering club, but to provide a forum in which Munroists may discuss matters of common concern and provide an organisation through which they may "give something back to the mountains". Equally important will be the Society's social dimension which will give opportunities for convivial gatherings.

Among the objects proposed for The Munro Society are:

• To support and initiate efforts to preserve access to and conservation of the Munros as areas of wild mountain land.
• To foster social, cultural and other exchanges between The Munro Society members and to encourage research into matters connected with the Munros and the activities associated with them.
• To maintain an archive germane to the Munros and those who have climbed them.
• To provide an informed and valued body of opinion on matters affecting Scottish mountains and Scottish mountaineering in general.

One development, which it is hoped will soon come to pass, is publication of a Journal, perhaps on an annual basis. This would be the means by which research would be disseminated to members and other interested parties. As the Munros attract skiers, botanists, geologists, archaeologists, photographers, ornithologists, geographers and many more, the scope for articles is very wide. Perhaps a little further in the future, The Munro Society might sponsor a biography of Sir Hugh T. Munro, Bt. of Lindertis, the man who first classified and listed the eponymous Munros.

If a reasonable proportion of Munroists choose to join The Munro Society, one way in which they might "give something back to the mountains" could be by conducting a Mountain Path Survey, initially in selected areas, but eventually covering the entire Highland area. This would provide an up-to-date picture of the extent and state of these important access routes, and would allow more effective prioritisation of the limited resources available for path maintenance.

The Scottish Highlands are one of the most important and extensive areas of wild mountain country in Europe, but the threat of encroachment grows stronger year by year. It is hoped that a Society whose membership is, by definition, familiar with a large proportion of the Highlands would be one whose opinions would be influential when matters of conservation and access are debated.

The Inaugural Meeting was held on Saturday 20 April 2002 in Dundee. Opening with a slide presentation by John Cleare followed by members attending their first Business Meeting brought to order by John Cleare. For this purpose John used the 'Lindertis Gavel', turned from wood obtained from Sir Hugh T Munro's mansion, donated by Alisdair Hopkinson (Sir Hugh's grandson) and presented to The Munro Society (TMS) by Flora Isles, the wood turner. Iain Robertson, secretary of the Steering Committee started the business. The Draft Constitution was adopted; office bearers were elected, with Irvine Butterfield being elected as the first President; six Executive Committee member nominations were received from the floor. Then followed an informed and wide-ranging debate on future activities, with points being made by Mike Dales (MCofS), Terry Isles, David Kirk (Clerk of The List), Liz Lathe and others. Agreement was made on two social events, before the group retired to the bar for a buffet meal and an informal team Quiz. TMS members (numbering 111) will be given the opportunity to become involved in path maintenance in liaison with Mike Dales (MCofS) and an archive is mooted, perhaps based in Perth. Finally, Robin Campbell was granted Honorary Membership as 'Custodier of the Gavel'.

Further details of The Munro Society and an application form for membership may be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope to: