Ben Macdui North Top

About Ben Macdui North Top

Situated on the sprawling, arctic-like Cairngorm plateau, this high-altitude bump serves as the penultimate tease for those trudging toward Britain's second-highest summit. It offers spectacular views of the Lairig Ghru, assuming the notorious Highland mist hasn't decided to turn your world into a featureless white ping-pong ball.

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Did You Know?

• •At 1294 meters, this 'minor' top is actually higher than any mountain found in England or Wales. It sits firmly within the sub-arctic environment of the Cairngorms, overlooking the ancient remnants of the Caledonian Forest in the glens below.
• •While Ben Macdui was once considered a candidate for Britain's highest peak until surveyors settled the score in 1847, the North Top remains its loyal northern sentinel. It marks the edge of the plateau before the ground drops dramatically into the depths of the Lairig Ghru.
• •The surrounding plateau experiences some of the most severe weather in the UK, with winter wind speeds that can comfortably knock a grown adult off their feet. It is a genuine piece of the Arctic tundra that seems to have migrated to the Scottish Highlands by mistake.
• •Keep a sharp eye out for Ptarmigan, which are the only birds in Britain to turn white in winter to match the snow. They are master mimics of granite and generally only fly away at the very last second to ensure you have a minor heart attack.
• •Navigating this section of the plateau in a 'haar' is a fantastic way to realize your compass skills aren't nearly as good as you told your friends. Every boulder looks identical, and you may find yourself having a polite conversation with a cairn before realizing it isn't going to give you directions.