Carn Meadhonach

About Carn Meadhonach

Perched between the River Gairn and Loch Builg, this 588m lump is the definition of geographical filler. It is a heather-clad sanctuary for those who find the neighboring Munros a bit too high-altitude. Expect quietude, excellent views of Ben Avon, and a slight sense of underachievement.

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Did You Know?

• •Its name translates from Scottish Gaelic as 'Middle Cairn,' and at just 588m, it fails the 3,000-foot Munro requirement by a rather humiliating 326 metres.
• •It is situated on the historic Invercauld Estate, making it prime territory for spotting red grouse and mountain hares that are significantly better at navigating the terrain than you are.
• •The summit offers a unique, lower-altitude perspective of the massive Ben Avon granite tors, assuming the Cairngorm weather allows you to see further than your own map.
• •Geologically, the hill sits on the eastern edge of the Cairngorm granite mass, where the rock seems undecided about whether it wants to be a mountain or a moor.
• •The approach is essentially a soggy endurance test; you will spend most of the hike convinced that the 'Middle Cairn' refers to the exact point where you will lose your first boot to a peat hag.