Stob Bac an Fhurain

Part of the sprawling granite mass of Beinn a’ Bhùird, this high Munro Top offers a masterclass in Cairngorm scale. It’s less a pointed peak and more a high-altitude pavement, perfect for those who enjoy vast plateaus and wondering if they’ve actually reached the highest point.

• •While technically a subsidiary 'Top' of its neighbor Beinn a’ Bhùird, its 1076m elevation comfortably outstrips every single peak in the British Isles outside of the Scottish Highlands.
• •The Gaelic name translates to the 'Peak of the Bank of the Elder', though at this height, the only 'elders' you'll find are the weathered rocks and perhaps your own knees complaining.
• •The summit occupies a prime position overlooking the Garbh Choire, one of the most spectacular examples of glacial erosion and granite cliffs in the eastern Cairngorms.
• •The surrounding plateau is a nesting ground for the dotterel, a mountain bird famous for its lack of fear, often allowing hikers to get remarkably close before fluttering away.
• •The approach from Braemar via Glen Quoich is so punishingly long that you'll likely experience a mid-hike existential crisis and consider starting a new life as a mountain hare before you even reach the base.