Munro Sampling Progess

Adopted: 270

Not Sampled: 15

Sampled: 255

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

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