The littlest Munro bagger: Emilia, five

She not much more than three feet tall but plucky Emilia Shaw has already scaled six Munros.

The pint-sized climber has summited the 3,000ft-plus peaks since August last year when she and her mum Kirstie Crawford completed Ben Lomond and neighbouring Ben Ghlas.

She even celebrated her fifth birthday in June at the top of rocky Schiehallion in Perthshire with a cake and a big number five candle resting on the 700-million-year-old peak.

The family from Pathhead, Midlothian, only began climbing last year, said Kirstie, 36.

“A friend suggested we try bagging a few Munros and although it seemed a challenge, I went for it thinking we could always turn back if it got too tough,” she said.

“Emilia ran on ahead and the challenge was keeping up with her. She talked to everyone she met on the way.”

Emilia’s three-legged Border collie Max, accompanied them on the ascent of Ben Lomond and Ghlas as well as Ben Lawers.

But he stayed behind when mother and daughter bagged Ben Chonzie and then the UK’s tallest, Ben Nevis.

Primary one pupil Emilia said: “I have been the tallest girl in the country and the best bit is getting to the very top. We have a party with juice, sandwiches and cake and then look hard to see miles and miles away.”

The 4,413ft high Ben Nevis took them nine-and-a-half-hours to scale and descend.

“By then my feet were so sore I could hardly move,” said animal care college student Kirstie. “Emilia was unfazed and full of beans.”

Three-legged Max lost his toes as a puppy when his mum chewed them off and was unable to walk properly. The family’s vet decided his only chance of a normal life was to have the leg amputated.

“He does amazingly well on three legs and being a loyal little dog, he follows Emilia everywhere she goes,” said Kirstie.

“My two older daughters Eva 11, and Alyssa 10, are not so keen on climbing,” she added. “But I am working on it.”