Scotland
Carn Bad nan Luibhean
471M
1545FT
About Carn Bad nan Luibhean
Tucked away north of Aviemore, this heathery Hump offers a quiet vantage point away from the crowded Cairngorm plateaus. Rising to 471m, its broad summit provides a clear perspective of the Slochd Mhuic pass. The terrain is classic Grampian moorland—undulating, often damp, and rich with the calls of moorland birds.
Key Statistics
Rank
421st Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
103m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
You are walking on the Slochd Psammite, ancient sandstones that were squeezed and partially melted by intense pressure to form the tough, striped rock beneath your boots.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NH853233
Latitude
57.2859°N
Longitude
3.9045°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Scottish Gaelic in origin, with 'Càrn Bad nan Luibhean' translating as the 'cairn of the clump of herbs', likely referencing a specific patch of notable Highland flora found amongst the heather.
- •The summit offers a unique angle on the Northern Corries of the Cairngorms across the Spey valley, as well as a direct look down into the 'Boar’s Pass' of the Slochd to the north.
- •Despite its modest elevation, the hill is classified as a Hump (a hill with a prominence of at least 100 metres), making it a significant, independent landmark in the local landscape.
- •The ascent is a study in solitude; you are far more likely to be greeted by the indignant 'go-back' call of a red grouse than another walker.