A' Mharconaich

Sitting deep within the remote Gaick Forest, this rounded, heather-clad summit offers a sense of profound isolation far from the busy A9. It forms part of the high plateau southeast of Kingussie, overlooking the steep-sided trench of Loch an t-Seilich and the wild, rolling expanses of the central Highlands.

• •The name is derived from the Gaelic 'A' Mharcanaich', which translates as 'the place of horses'. This likely refers to the high-altitude grazing found on these broad plateaus, which was historically used for hardy Highland ponies.
• •Often overlooked in favour of its taller Munro namesake at Drumochter, this summit provides a much lonelier experience on the edge of the Gaick Forest, a landscape defined by deep glacial troughs and vast moorland.
• •The summit offers an excellent vantage point for viewing the Cairngorm giants to the northeast; on a clear day, the deep corries of Braeriach and Sgòr an Lochain Uaine are easily identifiable across the Glen Feshie hills.
• •The ascent is often made from the Gaick Pass, an ancient through-route between Atholl and Strathspey that cuts a dramatic line through the mountains south of Kingussie.
• •While the hill is officially classified as a Tump, the extensive peat hags and saturated moss found on the surrounding plateau mean your boots will likely classify the terrain as a sponge.