Munro Sampling Progess

Adopted: 270

Not Sampled: 21

Sampled: 249

A huge thank you to everyone who went out on the hills collecting samples for us in 2023. We received samples from 115 Munros which, together with samples collected during our 2021 Cairngorms National Park pilot project, brings our total up to an amazing 170 Munros sampled - well on the way to our target of 270.

In 2024 samples can be collected and sent in from the 1st June until the 30th September. With only 100 Munros left to sample our goal of mapping alpine soil biodiversity across Scotland’s Munros is well within reach!

Below, you can explore the interactive map to see where our fantastic volunteers have been out sampling and see some  pictures of them in action in the online gallery. In August, project lead Andrea Britton visited the iconic Munro Schiehallion with Helen Needham from BBC Scotland to collect samples for the project and talk about the hidden biodiversity in our mountain soils. You can listen to a podcast about the trip here.

During the winter period our lab team have been busy extracting DNA, analysing the soil chemistry and checking the photos of your sample plots. DNA from all of the samples was sent away for sequencing in early 2024 and we expect to have our first indications of the biodiversity we have uncovered during summer 2024. Head over to the Results page to find out more about what we do with your samples and the discoveries that we have made so far.

Munro Sampling Photos

The images will cycle through at random

  • Beinn Sgulaird |
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  • Ciste Dhubh |
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  • Aonach Eagach - Meall Dearg |
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  • Beinn Dubhchraig |
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  • Gairich |
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  • Ben Oss |
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  • Moruisg |
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  • Slioch |
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  • Beinn Narnain |
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  • Aonach Meadhoin |
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  • Beinn Dubhchraig |
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  • Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Coire Raineach |
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  • The Saddle |
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  • Na Gruagaichean |
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  • Slioch |
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  • Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich |
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  • Beinn a' Chlachair |
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  • Beinn a' Chlachair |
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  • Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh |
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  • Aonach Eagach - Meall Dearg |
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  • Aonach Meadhoin |
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  • Stob Choire Claurigh |
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  • Blabheinn [Bla Bheinn] |
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  • Seana Bhraigh |
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  • Beinn a' Bheithir - Sgorr Dhearg |
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  • Beinn Narnain |
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  • Buachaille Etive Mor - Stob Dearg |
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  • Liathach - Mullach an Rathain |
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  • Seana Bhraigh |
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  • Aonach Mor |
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  • Sgurr a' Mhaoraich |
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  • Sgurr a' Mhaoraich |
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  • Liathach - Mullach an Rathain |
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  • The Saddle |
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  • Beinn a' Chaorainn |
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  • Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag |
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  • Gairich |
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  • Stob a' Choire Odhair |
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  • Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag |
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  • Slioch |
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  • Ben Vane |
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  • Blabheinn [Bla Bheinn] |
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  • Ben Wyvis - Glas Leathad Mor |
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  • Meall Buidhe |
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  • Stob a' Choire Odhair |
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  • Beinn Eunaich |
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  • Beinn an Dothaidh |
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  • Ben Lui [Beinn Laoigh] |
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  • Carn Eighe |
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  • Ben Vane |
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  • Beinn Bheoil |
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  • Beinn Narnain |
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  • Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh |
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  • Ben Vane |
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  • Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Coire Raineach |
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  • Carn Liath |
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  • Ladhar Bheinn |
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  • Maoile Lunndaidh |
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  • Aonach Meadhoin |
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  • Aonach Eagach - Meall Dearg |
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  • The Saddle |
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  • Ben Klibreck - Meall nan Con |
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  • Am Bodach |
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  • Beinn Narnain |
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  • Gairich |
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  • Ben Vane |
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  • Beinn a' Chlachair |
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  • Cruach Ardrain |
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  • Sgurr nan Coireachan |
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  • Blabheinn [Bla Bheinn] |
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  • Schiehallion |
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  • Sgurr na Carnach |
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  • Ben Oss |
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  • Ciste Dhubh |
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  • Creag Meagaidh |
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  • Sgurr a' Mhaoraich |
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  • Creag a' Mhaim |
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  • Beinn a' Chaorainn |
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  • Ben Vane |
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  • Ben Vane |
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  • Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag |
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  • Aonach Meadhoin |
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  • Ben Klibreck - Meall nan Con |
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  • Gairich |
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  • Ruadh Stac Mor |
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  • Gleouraich |
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  • Meall Gorm |
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  • Sgurr na Carnach |
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  • Ben Lui [Beinn Laoigh] |
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  • Cruach Ardrain |
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  • Seana Bhraigh |
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  • Ben Lui [Beinn Laoigh] |
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  • Ben Klibreck - Meall nan Con |
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  • Ladhar Bheinn |
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  • Sgurr a' Mhaim |
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  • A' Chailleach |
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  • Ben Lawers |
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  • Ben Lui [Beinn Laoigh] |
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  • Carn Eighe |
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  • Am Faochagach |
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Who is funding the project?

The project is funded by the Scottish Government Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) as part of the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Strategic Research Programme, project JHI-D4-3 Scotland’s biodiversity: People, Data and Monitoring.