Scotland
Carn Bad an Daimh
648M
2126FT
About Carn Bad an Daimh
Rising above the Spey Valley within the Cromdale Hills, this rounded moorland summit offers a quieter alternative to the busy Cairngorm peaks nearby. The terrain is predominantly heather and peat hag, rewarding walkers with clear, expansive views across to the high plateaus of Braeriach and the northern corries of Cairn Gorm.
Key Statistics
Rank
215th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
38m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
You’re walking on the Glen Banchor Subgroup, featuring layered rocks created when ancient mud and sand were squeezed and heated deep underground.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NH762217
Latitude
57.2691°N
Longitude
4.0545°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Gaelic Càrn Bad an Daimh, which translates as the 'cairn of the thicket of the stag.' The word 'bad' usually refers to a specific clump of trees or a small thicket, suggesting the hill once held more woodland cover than its current heather-clad state.
- •It is frequently climbed as part of a high-level traverse of the Cromdale Hills, a range noted for its long, undulating ridges that run parallel to the River Spey.
- •From the summit, the view south-west provides a classic profile of the Cairngorm mountain range, specifically the deep gouge of the Lairig Ghru pass framed between the massive bulk of Ben Macdui and Braeriach.
- •Despite its respectable height, the hill often plays second fiddle to its neighbour, Creagan a’ Chaise, which boasts a more impressive monument and slightly better credentials for those seeking a summit with a focal point.