Cnoc Fraing

Rising above the Slochd pass north of Aviemore, this rounded Monadhliath summit offers a quieter alternative to the busy Cairngorm peaks. The terrain is dominated by deep heather and occasional peat hags, rewarding those who navigate its broad slopes with an expansive view across the Spey Valley toward the great northern corries of the Cairngorms.

• •The name is Gaelic, with Cnoc meaning 'hill' and Fraing being the word for 'France'. It is often translated as the 'Hill of France', though why this specific moorland peak is associated with the country remains a local mystery, possibly relating to a historical figure or an old territorial boundary.
• •The most common approach begins from the Slochd, where the hill serves as a prominent sentinel overlooking both the A9 road and the Highland Main Line railway as they cut through the pass.
• •From the summit cairn, the view to the south is dominated by the sprawling mass of the Cairngorm plateau, while a clear day to the north reveals the Moray Firth and the distant, distinctive silhouette of Ben Wyvis.
• •It is often climbed in tandem with its neighbour, Carn na Loinne, to create a circular walk that explores the high, rolling moorland typical of the eastern Monadhliath range.
• •Despite the name, hikers searching for a taste of the Continent on these slopes will likely find nothing more French than a particularly stubborn patch of Scottish peat and a very damp boot.