Leac an Taobhain

About Leac an Taobhain

Tucked away in the Monadhliath mountains near Kingussie, this high, rounded heathery dome offers a quieter alternative to the neighbouring Corbetts. The terrain is typical of the range—expansive, peat-scarred, and wild. Reaching the summit rewards you with a sprawling, unobstructed perspective of the high Cairngorm plateaus across the Spey Valley.

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Did You Know?

• •The Gaelic name translates as the 'Slab of the Rafter.' In Highland topography, a 'taobhan' (rafter) usually describes a long, straight-backed ridge that reminded early speakers of the structural beams used in traditional building construction.
• •Most walkers visit this summit as an extension to an ascent of A’ Chailleach. It sits at the head of Gleann Glas, a remote valley that provides a much deeper sense of isolation than the well-trodden paths found closer to the town of Kingussie.
• •The summit provides an exceptional vantage point for appreciating the scale of the Cairngorm giants; the deep cleft of the Lairig Ghru is clearly visible across the strath, flanked by the massive profiles of Braeriach and Cairn Toul.
• •The surrounding plateau is home to a significant population of mountain hares; their white winter coats often make them far easier to spot than the modest summit cairn during the snowy months.
• •Navigating these slopes requires a refined sense of 'bog-logic,' as the terrain frequently fluctuates between solid heather and knee-deep peat hags with very little visual warning.