Welcome to the first of potentially hundreds of blog posts detailing my project to list, photograph and eulogise the finest hills in Britain and Ireland. There are already numerous lists of hills, although most are categorised around relative elevation, rather than the perception of quality. For an exhaustive directory see the splendid website: www.hill-bagging.co.uk where you will find a multitude of wonderfully nerdy information. For anyone seeking the definitive catalogue of Britain’s hills, Hill Bagging is an outstanding resource, and one I frequently consult for factual research.
My aim is something rather different: to celebrate those hills that are memorable for their character, beauty and the quality of the experience they offer. As for what to call these wonderful hills, I experimented with acronyms such the FHIBAI’s (Fye Byes) – Finest Hills In Britain & Ireland – but that would be adopted by no one. They could have been HOCs (Hills Of Consequence – I rather like that) or even PETERS (Prominences Exhibiting The Essential Requisites of Style). I may not be entirely serious about the last one, although it would please my ego.
Therefore, I have chosen an identifier that describes the essence of each hill’s meritorious significance. Quite simply they are ‘worthy’ of inclusion and collectively will be named the ‘Worthies’.
In an attempt to define structure, I am considering options for a baseline from which to take my choice of hills.
Perhaps I could arrange the list by county, which ensures the whole country is covered, for better or worse. Obviously, such places as Greater London would present a challenge, and many other counties struggle to offer ground high enough to define as a hill, so this option has been discarded.
Or, how about making my selection from specified areas? Many will be obvious, such as Connemara or the Yorkshire Dales, although others have debateable content, for example the Chilterns or South Downs. Should I set a minimum height limit to define them for ease, even though to me elevation is not a major factor in quality. I think not; it is the perception of being on a hill that is more important than actual altitude.
Clearly this will be a subjective list and I have a lot to ponder. There will be many hundreds of hills and each choice must be reasoned and the exclusions agonisingly discarded. Nonetheless, I would be mortified to be held responsible for vitriolic debate or even fisticuffs, should opposing factions chance to encounter upon a hill of contentious merit!
It is also my aim to entertain and educate. I was once a tour guide and I continue to delight in discovering interesting facts and history. I hope you will enjoy being a part of this quest and doubtless there will be many adventures along the way.
For now, I am going to concentrate on the initial task of criteria and then actually beginning to assemble a list of potential hills to comprise the Worthies. I have been hill walking for about fifty years and am well-travelled, but how on earth can I make a selection from the Munros, Corbetts and the Wainwrights (and how many of each?), or all the other, lower, but really nice little hills that I have climbed over the years.
Oh well, here goes and thank you for reading this far!
Back soon, Peter
