Millstone Cairn

About Millstone Cairn

Perched on the eastern edge of the Mounth, Millstone Cairn is a 743m granite outcrop that offers a quiet, stony alternative to the bustling slopes of nearby Mount Keen. It's a rugged spot where the views are expansive and the wind is usually in a terrible hurry.

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Did You Know?

• •This fell sits on the fringe of the Balmoral Estate, meaning you are technically walking through the King's backyard, though don't expect him to pop out with a tray of tea and scones.
• •The hill is composed of sturdy granite from the Mount Keen pluton, a massive geological formation that has spent the last 400 million years becoming progressively harder for hikers to climb.
• •While the Waverley Route railway once offered a civilized journey from Edinburgh to the Borders, the 'route' up this cairn is significantly less efficient and contains zero dining carriages.
• •It is classified as a Simm and a Graham Top, serving as a primary target for peak-baggers who have finished the Munros and are now desperately searching for new ways to tire themselves out.
• •The summit cairn is so understated that identifying the highest point often involves a great deal of squinting and wandering around in circles while looking increasingly confused.