Scotland
Carn Bhac
945M
3101FT
About Carn Bhac
Tucked away in the remote southern Mounth, this rounded Munro offers a quiet, peat-hilled alternative to the busier Cairngorm giants. Accessible from Inverey, its broad heather slopes lead to a stony summit plateau. It is frequently paired with Beinn Iutharn Mhòr, rewarding walkers with a true sense of Highland isolation.
Key Statistics
Rank
18th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
186.9m
Nearest Town
Braemar
Geology
The ground beneath you is the An Socach Formation, a durable rock filled with small pebbles that gives this mountain its rugged character.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NO051832
Latitude
56.9303°N
Longitude
3.5609°W
Did You Know?
- •The name derives from the Gaelic Càrn Bhac, which translates as the ‘hill of the peat-banks’ or ‘peat-hags’. This is a literal description of the terrain surrounding the mountain, particularly on the long approaches from the north and west.
- •From the summit cairn, there are clear views north across the Dee valley to the massive plateaus of Beinn a' Bhuird and Ben Avon, while the sharp profile of Lochnagar is visible to the east.
- •The usual approach from Inverey passes the ruins of Altanour Lodge in Glen Ey. Once a substantial shooting lodge for the Duke of Fife, it now serves as a landmark for walkers and a popular spot for wild camping before tackling the ascent.
- •The summit name is a rare example of Gaelic nomenclature being entirely understated; by the time a walker has navigated the terrain to reach the cairn, they will likely have developed a much more colourful vocabulary for the peat-banks.