Hidden Scotland
Sign in
A' Chailleach under snow in low sun, seen across the snow-filled gully of the Allt na Beinne.

A' Chailleach

A Munro of 929 metres in the Monadhliath above Newtonmore, climbed from the end of the road in Glen Banchor.

Welcome

A' Chailleach, 929 metres, is a Munro of the Monadhliath, the grey hills above Newtonmore, and the village's own page calls it the Old Woman.

It is not the A' Chailleach of the Fannichs. It was one of the first hills in the area used for downhill skiing, brought here by the Ormiston family, and ptarmigan may be seen on its higher parts. A well-built cairn stands on the summit.

Walkers start from the road end at Dalchurn Bridge in Glen Banchor, 1½ miles up Glen Road from the village, where there is a small parking area. Stags may be stalked here at any time of year, so check before going. There is no avalanche forecast for this hill, and under snow that does not mean there is no risk. Choose a day with a good forecast, and carry a map, a compass and warm clothes.

The Daily

Arrives at 5am every day.

A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.

The Daily for 4 November, from Scotland with love. A pink sandstone castle bristling with conical turrets and a Union Jack flag rises above a gravel forecourt, autumn-tinged ivy climbing one wing beside cannon displayed on the lawn.
Not farLaggan Stores Coffee BothyThe village café, shop and gallery in Laggan, on the upper Spey in Badenoch, serving breakfast, lunch and homemade cakes.7 milesSee itA toasted sandwich with crisps and a dressed salad on a dark blue plate.

Been here? Tell others what you know, and the best go on this page with your name.

Add your review
Close by
  1. A tall cairn on the rocky crest of Creag Bheag, the path running through the heather and the Spey valley and the snow-streaked Cairngorms beyond.Creag BheagKingussie's own hill, 487 metres high, climbed on a circular path of 4.5 kilometres from the town.4 miles as the crow flies
  2. Ruthven BarracksRuthven BarracksThe ruins of a government barracks on a grassy mound across the River Spey from Kingussie.6 miles as the crow flies
  3. Insh Marshes in winter, the Spey's floodplain under water around a low wooded knoll, with snow on the hills beyond under a blue sky.RSPB Insh MarshesThe RSPB's wetland reserve on the Spey, ten square kilometres of marsh and pools on the valley floor from Kingussie down to Kincraig.6 miles as the crow flies
  4. Two Japanese macaques huddled in the snow.The Highland Wildlife Park8 miles as the crow flies
  5. Geal CharnA Munro of 926 metres in the Monadhliath above Glen Markie, near Laggan, climbed from Garva Bridge or the Spey Dam.8 miles as the crow flies
Directions
A rowan tree heavy with red berries hangs before a white harled house, a round table and chairs set on the gravel behind.KingussieCairngorms Church Hill HouseSleeps 4 · 5.3 miles
A toasted sandwich with crisps and a dressed salad on a dark blue plate.CafeLaggan Stores Coffee Bothy7.3 miles
A row of stone cottages with a slated roof and four chimneys sits behind a gravel courtyard, hills visible in the distance.Killiehuntly BothySleeps 4 · 7.6 miles
A stone barn with a red door and a steep slate roof stands among trees turning gold in autumn.The HayloftSleeps 2 · 7.6 miles
Stone farmhouse surrounded by autumn trees and hills in the Scottish countrysideKilliehuntly FarmhouseSleeps 10 · 7.6 miles
A stone and dark timber house sits beneath autumn trees, logs stacked in an open store and hills visible in the distance.Geordie’s CottageSleeps 5 · 7.6 miles
Autumn trees line a wide loch with forested hills beyondAttractionsUath Lochans9.8 miles
A landscape view of Park Cottage in the snow, its windows lit, forest and a white hill behind.KincraigPark CottageSleeps 6 · 10 miles
A whitewashed cottage sends a thread of smoke from its chimney, framed between pine trunks with a dog bounding through the grass.GlenfeshieCoire Domhain CottageSleeps 10 · 12 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near A' Chailleach, and when each is next free.

A rowan tree heavy with red berries hangs before a white harled house, a round table and chairs set on the gravel behind.Cairngorms Church Hill House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Kingussie
  • 5 miles from A' Chailleach
Check datesA row of stone cottages with a slated roof and four chimneys sits behind a gravel courtyard, hills visible in the distance.Killiehuntly Bothy
  • Sleeps 4
  • 8 miles from A' Chailleach
Check datesA stone barn with a red door and a steep slate roof stands among trees turning gold in autumn.The Hayloft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 8 miles from A' Chailleach
Check datesStone farmhouse surrounded by autumn trees and hills in the Scottish countrysideKilliehuntly Farmhouse
  • Sleeps 10
  • 8 miles from A' Chailleach
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay on the mapAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.

Get Issue 13Read it here