Beinn Bhrotain East Top

Perched high in the Cairngorm wilderness, this Munro Top is essentially Beinn Bhrotain’s quieter, slightly lower sibling. It offers staggering views of the Devil’s Point across the Lairig Ghru, provided you enjoy navigating endless granite boulders and the distinct feeling of being very far from a pub.

• •At 1,109 metres, this peak is actually higher than over half of the official Munros. It only suffers the indignity of being a 'Top' because the Scottish Mountaineering Club decided it wasn't sufficiently separated from its parent peak.
• •The summit sits on a vast, high-altitude plateau that is home to some of the most extensive 'fossil' stone stripes and periglacial features in Britain. It’s a geomorphologist’s dream, assuming they brought enough sandwiches and a sturdy pair of boots.
• •Most hikers reach it via a long, grueling trek from the Linn of Dee. It’s a journey that makes you realize just how much of Scotland consists of heather, water, and significantly more heather than you originally anticipated.
• •Being in the Cairngorms, the weather here doesn't just change; it holds personal grudges. Navigation across the featureless plateau in a sudden whiteout is a masterclass in trusting your compass over your own lying eyes.
• •Reaching the East Top after bagging the main summit of Beinn Bhrotain often feels less like a triumph and more like a mandatory admin task. It’s the mountain equivalent of checking the terms and conditions box just so you can finally go home.