Beinn a' Chruinnich

About Beinn a' Chruinnich

Rising above the A939 at the Lecht Ski Centre, this rounded Cairngorm summit offers a straightforward ascent across smooth, grassy slopes. Its high-altitude position makes it reliable for winter sports, while the top provides clear views over the neighboring Ladder Hills and the remote, peaty headwaters of the River Don.

Key Statistics

Find It

Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Beinn a' Chruinnich, meaning the 'Hill of the Gathering.' This likely refers to historical locations where cattle were mustered or local communities assembled in the high passes between Strathdon and Glenlivet.
• •Since the mid-1970s, the mountain has been a cornerstone of the Lecht Ski Centre. Its smooth, grassy profile is a significant advantage for the resort; unlike the boulder-strewn slopes of the higher Cairngorm plateaus, Beinn a' Chruinnich requires only a thin dusting of snow to remain open for skiing.
• •The summit sits on the border between Moray and Aberdeenshire. It overlooks the A939 Cock Bridge to Tomintoul road, which reaches 637 metres at the Lecht pass, making it one of the highest through-roads in the United Kingdom.
• •The view from the top is characterized by the vast, rolling heather moorland of the eastern Highlands. To the north and east, the Ladder Hills dominate the skyline, while on a clear day, the distinctive notched profile of Lochnagar can be seen far to the south.
• •The snow gates on the road below the summit serve as Scotland's most honest winter barometer; when the national news reports they are closed, the rest of the country finally admits that summer is over.