Petticoats and Pinnacles: Scotland's pioneering mountain women

This exhibition reveals how women have overcome physical and social barriers to spend time in the mountains — not only as climbers but as writers, artists and leaders.

Ran from 10 July 2021 to 28 May 2022.

For centuries, the hills in Scotland have provided inspiration and solace to women from all walks of life.

Whether a dairymaid wandering on a hot summer evening, a young woman exploring Ben Lomond or a working mum training for her trip to the Himalayas, their stories can inspire us even now.

As authors and walkers, the achievements of these women have been ignored, undervalued and lost over time. Many of the women, educated and wealthy enough to travel and spend their leisure time as they wished, were under pressure from society to conform.

Each woman has a link to Scotland, either living or climbing here. 'Petticoats and Pinnacles' tells their stories through books, journals, diaries and letters, as well as photographs, film and even their climbing equipment.

I owe a supreme debt of gratitude to the mountains for knocking from me the shackles of conventionality.

Elizabeth Le Blond, 'Then and now',
Ladies' Alpine Club Yearbook, 1932.

The exhibition explores how attitudes to the mountains changed from being seen as dark, wild spaces to places of solace and well-being.

Attitudes to women walking and climbing in the mountains also changed, from outrage to acceptance.

Society's reaction influenced how and to whom the women told their stories.

The recorded history of Scots women in the mountains spans 250 years. This exhibition highlights several key women and the profound contributions they made to literature, art, science and society, and their relationship with the mountains.

Influencers like Anne Grant and Nan Shepherd have helped shape our relationships with wild spaces. Intrepid travellers like Isabella Bird broke new ground for women. Botanist Isobel Wylie Hutchison was an accidental mountaineer — discovering joy and inspiration on the high peaks in pursuit of other goals. In contrast, the climbers pushed at the boundaries of women's climbing, making first ascents and becoming leaders and mentors for other climbers. Each figure brings a distinct perspective.

Influencers

Anne Grant

Anne Grant (1755-1838) was a Scottish poet and author, who described living amongst the Gaelic people and mountains around Laggan. 

Nan Shepherd (1893-1981) was the author of 'The Living Mountain', which is recognised as one of the most influential pieces of nature writing of the 20th century.

Travellers

Jane Duncan

Isabella Bird (1831-1904) was an explorer, world traveller, writer, photographer and naturalist. She completed the third ascent of Longs Peak in Colorado. Read more about Isabella on our 'Aiming high' resource

Jane Duncan (1848-1909) was the first European woman to travel through the Chang La, Ladakh.

'Accidental' mountaineers

'A peep into Chinese Tartary' (1884), by Constance Gordon Cumming

Constance Gordon Cumming (1837-1924) painted every day while travelling. She was the first artist to exhibit in Yosemite Valley and the most exhibited artist of her generation. 

Isobel Wylie Hutchison (1889-1982) was a botanist, filmmaker, and long-distance walker. She completed the third ascent of Kilertinguit in Greenland. Read more about Isobel on our 'Aiming high' resource

Climbers

Ladies' Scottish Climbing Club New Year meet at Crianlarich in 1908 / 1909

Jane Inglis Clark (1859-1950) was a rock climber and founder of the Ladies Scottish Climbing Club. Read more about Jane on our Aiming High resource

Una Cameron (1904-1987) was a climber and mountaineer. She completed 5 ascents of Mont Blanc and climbed Mount Kenya. Read more about Una our 'Aiming high' resource

Himalayan base campThe Scottish Ladies Himalayan Expedition completed the first all-female expedition to the Himalayas in 1955.

Betty Stark, Monica Jackson and Evelyn Camrass explored and mapped in the Jugal Himal, climbing and naming Gyalgen Peak (6,151 metres) after their Nepalese team leader.

Read more about Evelyn on our 'Aiming high' resource.

We are grateful to Baillie Gifford for their generous support of this exhibition.