Meall an Dubh-chadha

Rising above the Spey valley near Kingussie, this rounded Grampian summit offers a quieter alternative to the neighbouring Monadhliath Munros. The terrain is typical of the high plateau—vast, peat-hued, and often pathless. From its 703-metre crest, the views across to the massive western flanks of the Cairngorms are exceptional.

• •The name stems from the Scottish Gaelic Meall an Dubh-chadha, which translates as the 'hill of the black pass,' likely referring to the dark, narrow gully on its southern slopes.
• •Positioned in the Monadhliath range, the hill is frequently climbed as a secondary objective on the long approach from Glen Banchor toward the 945-metre Munro, Carn Dearg.
• •The summit offers a distinct perspective of the Cairngorm giants across the strath, with the Great Moss and the deep breach of the Lairig Ghru clearly visible on the eastern horizon.
• •Walking here provides a masterclass in 'Monadhliath brown'—a specific palette of peat, heather, and grass that makes the sudden appearance of a white mountain hare the genuine highlight of the afternoon.