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Cairngorms
The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland The Cairngorms

Photographs, route description and map of a circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm

 in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland



Derry Lodge

Derry Lodge




Lairig Ghru





On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm

On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm




Derry Lodge

On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm






On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm

On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm






On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm

On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm






On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm

On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm






On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm

On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm





On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm

On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm





On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm

On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm





On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm

On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm





On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm

On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm






Ben Macdui from Derry Cairngorm

Ben Macdui

from Derry Cairngorm







Ben Macdui from Derry Cairngorm

Ben Macdui

from Derry Cairngorm





Ben Macdui from Derry Cairngorm

Ben Macdui

from Derry Cairngorm





On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm

On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm




On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm

On circuit of Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm






Hutchison Memorial Hut in Coire Etchachan in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland

Hutchison Memorial Hut

 in Coire Etchachan





Map of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland




Route Description


Location: Derry Cairngorm, Grampian
Grade: Serious mountain walk
Distance: 20 miles/32km
Time: 8-12 hours


The rain swept across the deep void of Coire Sputan Dearg like curtains being drawn and I knew that I only
had seconds to get my waterproofs on. Beyond the silvery veil the late afternoon sun was highlighting the
rocky features of Cairn Toul, shining through a mass of thunderhead clouds that looked like some huge eruption of
boiling vapour. Despite the imminent soaking, I was transfixed by the splendour of it all.
Showers had swept across the Cairngorms all day and in between the sun, shining through great rents in the
cloud cover, had deepened the earth tones of late summer and picked out individual features with crystal clarity.
Lochan Uaine, one of four ‘green lochans’ in the Cairngorms, suddenly changed in colour from quicksilver to
translucent-blue; patches of blue moss campion shone from the metallic greys of the scree-covered slopes and away
below me sunbeams swept across the pines of Glen Luibeg like a roving searchlight.
Despite the rain these are the best of days in the Cairngorms, when light and shade contrast sharply and
the colours change constantly. I had chosen a marvellous route to enjoy the spectacle of it all — a tour of the central
massif of the Caimgorms. The route starts at Linn of Dee near Braemar; visits the pinescented and deer-haunted Glen Luibeg;
climbs the long
Sron Riach shoulder of Ben Macdui to its spacious summit; touches the edge of the crags and cliffs of
Coire Sputan
Dearg and visits the spectacular Arctic setting of Loch Etchachan, before heading off down the long ridge of Derry Cairngorm. lt’s a big day, not far short of 20 miles but that distance can be effectively reduced by using a mountain bike to carry you up the 7km of bulldozed track from Linn of Dee to Derry Lodge. Please don‘t take a bike any further than Derry Lodge, the footpaths simply can't take it. The Sron Riach ridge of Ben Macdui, the brindled nose, climbs steadily all the way to its conical peak. Beyond, there's a brief descent than another climb on to the bare, wind-scoured east slopes of Macdui, Britain’s second highest summit. Wide, empty slopes lead to the conical summit past the ruins of the Sappers’ Bothy. ( For many years the armed forces delighted in building stone
shelters and huts all over these slopes ). From the summit cairn the views, on a clear day, are superb, but there's still a
long way to go. Head back down to the edge of Coire Sputain Dearg and try to stay with the cliff rim.
In many ways this is the highlight of the route, a grand esplanade with Coire Sputain Dearg dropping away
below you on one side, sweeping down ochreous miles to the verdant green of the Luibeg pines, and the Arctic
splendour of Coire Etchachan on the other side with the most magnificent loch in the Cairngorm filling its rocky bowl.
The tor studded whaleback of Beinn Mheadhoin looms beyond the loch and away across the deep chasm that
holds Loch Avon rises Cairn Gorm itself, its glaciated cliffs forming an acute angle with the gentler swells of
its summit slopes. From the shallow col below Creagan a‘ Choire Etchachan, the long ridge of Derry Cairngorm
forms a highway to
the south, dropping first to another, grassy col before rising in slopes of scree and boulders to the rocky summit, yet another magnificent viewpoint. To the east the green and brown sweep of the Moine Bhealaidh flows onto the rounded slopes of Beinn a’ Bhuird and the empty miles of the Forest of Glenavon.
It’s all downhill now, but it's a rocky course that demands considerable attention before you can begin to relax.
The broad ridge runs south
before sweeping to the south-west towards Glen Luibeg and a gentle wander beside the burn back to Derry Lodge.



ROUTE PLANNER


Map: OS 1:50,000 Landranger sheets 36 ( Grantown & Aviemore ) and 43 ( Braemar & Blair Atholl ). Harveys Superwalker Map Cairn Gorm.
Distance: 12 miles / 20km, from Derry Lodge. It's 4 miles/7km from Linn of Dee to Derry Lodge
Approx Time: 9-12 hours
Start / Finish: Linn of Dee car park ( GR: NO063898 )
Transport: Regular bus service from Aberdeen to Braemar. Details from www.travelinescotland.com
Information: Braemar TIC, 01339 741600



Route: Take the track from Linn of Dee to Derry Lodge, perhaps by bike.
Cross the Derry Burn by the bridge west of Derry Lodge.
Follow the track to the A confluence of the Luibeg Burn and the Allt Preas nam Meirleach where the track divides.
Follow the branch that heads N, crosses the burn and climbs the Sron Riach shoulder of Ben Macdui
Follow the ridge round the head of Coire Sputan Dearg to the col below Creagan a’ Choire Etchachan.
 From the col head S then SE and climb boulder-covered slopes to Derry Cairngorm.
From the summit descend in a S direction back to Glen Luibeg and the outward track.



Map of Derry Cairngorm


Map of Derry Cairngorm

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Books & Maps - Scotland:-


Aviemore, Granton & Cairngorm Mountains OS Landranger Map

Lochnagar & Glenshee - Map Cairngorm - Map The Munros Map Western Scotland & the Western Isles OS Road Map Northern Scotland OS Road Map Southern Scotland OS Road Map

Cairn Gorm & Ben Macdhui - OS Explorer Map Aviemore, Granton & Cairngorm Mountains OS Map Inverness, Loch Ness a Strathglass - OS Landranger Map Braemar, Tomintoul & Glen Avon - OS Explorer Map Kingussie & Monadhliath Mountains Landranger OS Map: Fort Augustus, Glen Albyn, Glen Roy



The Cairngorms - Cicerone Guide Short Walks in the Cairngorms - Luath The Cairngorms NE Outcrops - SMC Highland Outcrops Cairngorms - Mountain Bike Guide

Cairngorms, Lochnagar, Mounth - SMC Walks in the Cairngorms The Cairngorms of Scotland Cairngorms Walks Winter Climbs in the CaingormsScottish Winter ClimbsThe Cairngorms Vol. 1 - SMC The Cairngorms Vol. 2 - SMC

The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland  Munros Tables SMC  The Munros - Scotland's Highest Mountains  Scotland - Lonely Planet  NW Highlands - SMC Guide  Exploring the Far NW of Scotland  Guide to Walks in NW Highlands

Walking in Scotland - Lonely Planet Mountain: Exploring Britain's High Places  National 3 Peaks Walk Scottish Highlands Hillwalking Guide The Scottish Islands Bouldering in Scotland

Central Highlands: Six Long Distance Walks West Highland Way: Official GuideWest Highland Way: Rucksac ReadersWest Highland Way: TrailblazerThe West Highland WayWest Highland Way: Footprint MapWest Highland Way - Map West Highland Way - Map 100 Hillwalks around Glasgow

Pathfinder Guide: Fort William and Glen Coe Walks Rambler's Guide: Ben Nevis and Glen CoeGlencoe Rock & Ice Climbing The Munros: Scottish Mountaineering Club The Munros and Tops The Corbetts - SMC Munros & Corbetts Chart The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland Munro Almanac

The Munros - Scotland's highest mountains Call of the Corbetts Magic of the Munros Hamish's Mountain WalkThe Munros in WinterMy Scotland by Hamish MacInnes

Scottish Mountains - 50 Classic Routes50 More Routes on Scottish Mountains The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland Scotlands 100 Best Walks Scottish Mountains - 100 Best RoutesBig Walks of Great Britain Classic Walks in Britain & Ireland

Scottish Hill & Mountain Names Classic Mountain Scrambles in Scotland Classic Climbs - Central & Southern Highlands Mountaineering in Scotland and Undiscovered Scotland by W.H.MurrayMore Wilderness Walks Wilderness Walks Wilderness Walks 2 - Video Ski Mountaineering in Scotland

Ski Touring in ScotlandScrambles in Lochaber Rock Climbing in Scotland Rock Climbing SkillsThe FACE: Six Great Climbing Adventures Ben Nevis: Rock & Ice ClimbsGreat Snow & Ice Climbs of the British Isles100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains One Man's Mountains - Tom Patey

A Mountaineer's Tale - W.H.MurrayDougal Haston: Philosophy of RiskThe Glens of Rannoch Southern Highlands - MapNorthern Highlands Central Highlands West Highlands Central Highlands SMCNW Highlands SMC

Scotland - Lonely PlanetScotland's Highlands & Islands - Lonley Planet Scotland's Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Highlands & Islands of Scotland - Hidden Places Rough Guide ScotlandScottish Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Rough Guide: Scotland Lonely Planet, Walking in ScotlandLonely Planet - Walking in Britain

50 Walks in the Scottish Highlands & Islands 100 Walks in ScotlandVisit Scotland - Touring Guide Scotland: Where to Stay - Hotels & Guest Houses Scotland: Where to Stay - Bed & Breakfast Hillwalker: The MunrosHillwalker: The Corbetts

Weather for Hillwakers & Climbers Mountain Weather Guide to the Weather Weather: Collins Gem Hillwalking Handbook for Mountain Leaders Hillwalkers Manual Hillwalkers Guide to Mountaineering First Aid on Mountains








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