Scotland
Caimhlin Mor
660M
2164FT
About Caimhlin Mor
Located in the Monadhliath mountains near Kingussie, this broad, peat-covered hill offers a quieter alternative to the busy Cairngorm peaks. Reaching 659.5 metres, its rounded summit provides a commanding perspective across the Spey Valley towards the high plateau of Braeriach and the sprawling forests of Glen Feshie.
Key Statistics
Rank
205th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
33.5m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
Beneath your boots lie ancient sands and muds, compressed over time into hard, layered rocks. These durable minerals form the rugged foundation of Caimhlin Mor.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NH685146
Latitude
57.2032°N
Longitude
4.1784°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'Caimhlinne', which translates to 'crooked pool' or 'winding watercourse'. This refers to the Allt na Caimhlinne, the burn that cuts a meandering path through the glen on the hill's western flank.
- •The summit offers a particularly clear perspective of the 'Cairngorm Trench', the deep glacial trough of the Spey Valley that separates the Monadhliath from the higher granite massif of the Cairngorms.
- •It is most commonly climbed as part of a high-level moorland traverse from the south, often paired with its smaller northern neighbour, Caimhlin Beag.
- •Navigation on this plateau can be notoriously difficult in low cloud, as the broad, rolling features lack the sharp defined ridges found in the neighbouring Grampians.
- •The terrain is a quintessential example of Monadhliath peat hags; a walk here is essentially a masterclass in the delicate art of leaping between islands of heather to avoid disappearing knee-deep into black sludge.