Creagan Mor

Rising above the upper reaches of the River Calder near Newtonmore, this rounded Monadhliath summit offers a quieter alternative to the neighbouring Munros. Its broad, heathery slopes and occasional peat hags are typical of the range, leading to a sprawling plateau that rewards walkers with an expansive and wild sense of isolation.

• •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'Creagan Mòr', meaning 'great little rock'. While 'Creagan' is technically a diminutive, it likely refers to the specific rocky outcrops that break through the otherwise soft, rolling moorland of the summit area.
• •It is frequently climbed as a secondary objective alongside the Munro Càrn Dearg, which sits roughly three kilometres to the northwest. The high, peat-scarred col between the two provides a straightforward traverse for those looking to extend their day in the hills.
• •The summit offers an excellent vantage point for viewing the western wall of the Cairngorms across the Spey Valley. On a clear day, the deep cleft of the Lairig Ghru is visible, flanked by the massive bulks of Braeriach and Sgòr an Lochain Uaine.
• •The approach from the south passes through the historic lands of Glen Banchor. This area was once a thriving community before the Highland Clearances, and the ruins of several abandoned townships still sit silently at the foot of the hill.
• •In keeping with the subtle character of the Monadhliath, the 'great crags' promised by the name are more of a polite suggestion than a topographical fact; you are significantly more likely to require gaiters than a climbing rope.