Scotland
Sron na Gaoithe
521M
1709FT
About Sron na Gaoithe
Rising above the Spey Valley near Newtonmore, this heather-clad Hump marks a prominent southern spur of the Monadhliath. It offers a rugged but accessible climb with an expansive perspective across the Strath toward the high Cairngorm peaks. It is an ideal spot for those seeking solitude away from the busier nearby Munros.
Key Statistics
Rank
84th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Lochaber
Prominence
?
126m
Nearest Town
Kingussie
Geology
The ground here is the Gaick Psammite Formation. These tough, gritty rocks began as layers of sand that were compressed and heated into the hard surface beneath your boots.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NN754943
Latitude
57.0229°N
Longitude
4.0541°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Gaelic for 'Nose of the Wind.' In Highland topography, 'Sròn' (nose) typically refers to a prominent ridge or the end of a spur that catches the prevailing weather, which holds true for this exposed position above the strath.
- •The hill sits within the historic heartland of Clan Macpherson; the Clan Macpherson Museum in Newtonmore is located just below its eastern slopes in the valley floor.
- •From the summit, the view southeast is dominated by the massive western wall of the Cairngorms, offering a particularly clear sightline to the peaked profile of Sgoran Dubh Mòr across the Great Moss.
- •Walkers often combine this summit with the nearby Creag Dhubh, though the connecting ground is notorious for its lack of established paths and deep, energy-sapping heather.
- •While 'Nose of the Wind' sounds evocative, the local reality of the ascent often suggests that 'Nose of the Bog' might have been a more pragmatic alternative for the lower slopes.