Carn Macoul

Tucked away in the Monadhliath range near Newtonmore, this high, rounded summit offers a quieter alternative to the nearby Munros. Its peat-scarred slopes and expansive plateau are typical of the region, rewarding walkers with broad views across the River Calder valley toward the high, jagged profiles of the Cairngorms.

• •The name likely derives from the Gaelic Càrn Macuill, translating to 'MacWill’s Cairn', suggesting a historical association with a specific individual rather than the more common descriptive landscape names found elsewhere in the range.
• •It is frequently climbed as part of a long, heathery circuit from Glen Banchor, often bagged alongside the neighbouring Carn Ban or visited as a quiet detour by those descending from the Munro, A’ Chailleach.
• •The summit provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the western Cairngorms; looking southeast across the Spey Valley, the massive bulk of Braeriach and the Sgoran Dubh Mor ridge are clearly visible on a clear day.
• •On a misty afternoon, the featureless, high-altitude plateau serves as an excellent test for one's compass skills, as the distinction between the summit and the surrounding peat hags is often a matter of inches.