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, categorised generally by statistical classifications and mostly based 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 which I am deeply indebted as I will be researching it extensively whilst compiling my own inventory.

A second and easier possibility would be to take the existing lists from Tumps to Munros and simply pick out the finest selection. That also has appeal although, whilst being convenient, it does not tread much new ground; it is simply an idiosyncratic version of an existing compendium. One difficulty that arises would be in an area such as Torridon where virtually everything is superb, do I include all tops or the best of the best?

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. I have presently thought of three potential starting points; Firstly, I could arrange the list by county, which ensures the whole country is covered, for better or worse. However, do I base my selection on historic shires or the modern and distasteful sounding Unitary Authorities and Metropolitan Counties?

Naturally, I would prefer the former, being of the checked shirt and flat cap brigade, but even I must keep apace, so would probably settle on the currently accepted register.

Obviously, such places as Greater London would present a challenge when compared to say, Argyll, albeit the number of possibilities is considerably narrowed by its cityscape although, in being forced to include a selection from every shire, variety would be assured. However, some counties struggle to offer ground high enough to define as a hill, or it may well be that the finest walk does not actually involve a hill but perhaps a coastal path. I like coastal paths but would they enhance or dilute the spirit of this list?

Thirdly, how about making my selection from specified areas? Many will be obvious, such as Connemara or the Yorkshire Dales but others will 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. Within those aforementioned districts, both Ivinghoe Beacon and the Harting Downs are fine hills but at only around 230m/750ft should they make the grade?

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!

The journeys between hills are also important to me. Being a keen photographer and an explorer of off the beaten track roads I will also add my recommendations of scenic routes to travel. I do have some background in this as I have previously published two touring guides employing classic Jaguar cars. I’ll tell you more about that in a later post.

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