'The People of the Munros' to chart those who love Scotland's mountains

A new book will document Scotland's community of Munro baggers with the collection of stories and photographs to be compiled this summer as the author attempts to climb all 282 of Scotland's highest peaks in just 62 days.

Anna Wells, 29, will document "The People of the Munros" this summer as she tries to set a new female record for bagging all 282 of Scotland's highest peaks.

Anna Wells, 29, from Aberdeen said she wanted to record the stories of those passionate about spending times in Scotland's highest peaks in her forthcoming book, The People of the Munros.

Ms Wells said: "The book will be a collection of stories and it is driven by my love for the mountains, an enthusiasm for the community of people who climb them, and a desire to help others discover the joy of the great outdoors.

Anna, pictures climbing in Skye, has embarked on the project after giving up her job as a junior doctor.

"I love meeting people in the mountains. Everyone has a story to tell, wisdom to share, words to inspire, a quirky anecdote, or even a picture a poem or a recipe for their favourite mountain snack.

"My aim is to create a book that reflects us all - because we are The People of the Munros.

"Climbing has been my main thing for a while now and it feels like you have an instant group of friends when you are out on the mountains."

Anna (front) says her passion for the project has been driven by her love for the outdoors.

Climbers of all ages and backgrounds have been in touch with Ms Wells since her project, which is being supported by a crowdfunding campaign, was launched earlier this month.

They include an 82-year-old man from the Glasgow area who is on his fourth round on Munros, with just 50 left to climb.

Ms Wells is due to set off on July 30 and spent 62 days climbing all of Scotland's Munros.

She believes the mission, if successful, will secure her the fastest female time for bagging all of the peaks.

Pictured in Italy, Anna says she wants the book to inspire others to lead an outdoor and adventurous life.

Ms Wells said the fastest- known female time to complete a Munro round is 77-days. This was for a self-propelled journey that included cycling between the hills with a support vehicle also used.

"It's really impossible to compare the two, but I simply would like to set the fastest female time to summit all 282 Munros," she said,.

Ms Wells took her climbing to the next level after quitting her job as a junior doctor.

She said: "The book has been on my mind for a while. I used to work as a junior doctor and I found it very, very stressful and at the same time I was putting climbing on the sideline.

"It got to the point that the job was making me so stressed as I was working so many days. I used to work in rural hospitals in Fort William and Oban and I would look out the window just wishing I was out in the hills, walking around without a care in the world.

"I got it into my head that I wanted to do a round of Munros and it has gone there. I have always been interested in other people's stories so the two have come together."

She said she wanted to inspire others to lead an outdoor life and to make positive changes in their own lives.

To support the project, visit www.kickstarter.com .