Doggone it !

By Irvine Butterfield

Audrey Wallace asks (Munros Dog, Scottish Mountaineer Issue 25) whether her partner's dog will be the first to complete the Munros. This has led to some interesting correspondence which has turned up some intruiging facts about man's “best friend”.

There has been a suggestion that the spaniel of P.J.L “Paddy” Heron (who is listed as Munroist 21 having compleated the round in 1954) might have been the first dog to compleat the munro round. This was based upon a note in his obituary in S.M.C. Journal Volume 29 pp 91-92 which stated that Paddy's “spaniel Barney was his most constant companion”. It is almost certain that had the dog compleated this would have been known as it would have accorded with Paddy's own prodigious appetite for the big hill days - he compleated the round in 3 years. But as far as is known the dog did not do all the peaks.

It seems curious that Audrey has never heard of the exploits of celebrated Munroist and writer Hamish Brown (Munroist 62, and multi-compleater) whose Shetland Collie Ketchil San (“Kitchy”) was the first dog recorded as having compleated the Munro round followed by the Furths which were finished off on an ascent of Snowdon on 22.9.69. Kitchy was well known as he appeared in many a photograph to illustrate the many books and articles written by Hamish over the years.

It is related that Kirchy's compleation was registered under the his true title, Ketchil San, and his name appeared in Munro Matters in the S.M.C. Journal of the time. However, it seems someone “let the dog out of the bag” and his name failed to be recorded in the list of compleaters in Munro's Tables.

Hamish's second Shetland Collie companion Storm also completed the round and Hamish recalls that this was on Beinn Eibhinn at a time when they were “exiting Culra bothy”. Storm also went on to complete the Furths at the time Hamish was completing his Groat's End Walk. So the honour of being the first canine compleater still appears to be held by Hamish's first wee sheltie “Kitchy”.

However, it appears that you can't teach even younger dogs new tricks for in a chance conversation with Dave Hewitt on Munro Matters further insight was provided into the latest canine capers. Nowadays, even dogs have got into the multi-compleation act. The prize for the most canine compleations goes to a veteran hound of Munroist 375 Robert Hector MacDonald of Rawtenstall in Lancashire, who completed his fifth round on Beinn Fhionnlaidh in Appin on 1st November 1995. In his letter to the SMC advising of this completion he makes the comment that of the two dogs which accompanied him that day one was completing its 4th round, the other its 3rd round.

Cats it seems just don't rate the Munro-bagging game at all though it has to be said the Siamese cat of Fiona Wilkie tried its hand for a time and enjoys the dubious distinction of summiting some 45 Munros and has been given honourable mention in print from time to time. Fiona's feline companion can claim credit for but one unaided ascent, that of Beinn Eighe, content for the most part to be carried in her owner's rucksack. How many of us in breathless search for that elusive cairn might have wished to be temporarily metamorphosed into a small dog or cat the better to be transported aloft?

Dave Hewitt's initial research into the first 100 Munroists continues to grow and he has now expanded his work to try to include all Munroists. This is extremely time consuming and an absorbing interest with an amazing number of facts, figures and stories yet to tap into.

As a result of his work a series of photographic images from the late 1920's have come to hand and are in process of being evaluated. The Munro Society welcome and support Dave Hewitt's initiative and would encourage anyone with material on Munros or Munroists - especially knowledge of the earlier compleaters to get in touch with either Dave, or The Munro Society Archivist. Material thus assembled is stored in an archive established by The Munro Society in the reference section of A.K. Bell Library, Perth and is available for research or inspection by interested parties upon request. And if you visit some other library and haven't yet read of Hamish's exploits look for “Hamish's Mountain Walk” and Hamish's Groats End Walk and get up to speed on Matters Munro ... there ain't nothing new really even for dogs!!

If you have knowledge or wish to help place Munro archives please get in touch with either of the two “Munro Daves”.

Dave Hewitt: 3 Ferry Orchard, Cambuskenneth, Stirling FK9 5ND. Tel: 01786 450047.

Dave Moore: Hon. Archivist, The Munro Society, Glasgow University Library, Hillhead Street, Glasgow G12 8QE. Tel: 0141 330 6749.