Scotland
Carn an Leth-choin
844M
2769FT
About Carn an Leth-choin
Rising above Glen Banchor near Newtonmore, this high Grampian moorland summit offers a quieter alternative to the nearby Munros. Its broad, heathery slopes provide an excellent vantage point for looking across the Spey Valley toward the high granite plateaus of the Cairngorms, including the distinctive profile of Braeriach.
Key Statistics
Rank
56th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
78m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
The ground beneath you is the Ardair Formation, a coarse, banded rock created from ancient silts and muds that were reshaped by intense heat and pressure.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NN623996
Latitude
57.0668°N
Longitude
4.2726°W
Did You Know?
- •The name derives from the Gaelic 'Càrn an Leth-choin', meaning 'Hill of the Lurcher'. In this context, a 'leth-choin' or 'half-dog' refers to a cross-breed hound used for hunting deer across these high plateaus.
- •To reach the summit, walkers usually follow the Allt a' Chaorainn from Glen Banchor, a route that avoids the worst of the Monadhliath peat-hags found further north.
- •The summit offers a commanding view of the Lairig Ghru—the famous mountain pass through the Cairngorms—framed by the massive peaks of Braeriach and Cairn Gorm.
- •While it stands at a height that would make it a significant mountain in most countries, here it is classified as a Tump, ensuring its summit remains a place of solitude for those avoiding the Munro-bagging crowds.