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The Cairnwell

A Munro of 933 metres over the A93 at the Glenshee ski centre in the Cairngorms National Park, climbed from the ski centre's car park.

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The Cairnwell rises to 933 metres over the A93 at the Glenshee ski centre, in the Cairngorms National Park, where Aberdeenshire meets Perth and Kinross.

Communication masts stand on its summit, and a chairlift climbs its side to a top station below them. The park authority gives its Gaelic name as Càrn Bhalg, mountain of bag-shaped lumps. Two more Munros are close: Carn Aosda about 2 km to the north and Carn a' Gheoidh about 3 km to the west.

The hill's slopes are a ski area, and the walk up starts from Glenshee Snowsports Centre's car park on the A93. In the ski season the centre asks walkers to keep outside its snow fences and off the tow tracks, and allows no dogs on its runs. The councils work snow gates on the A93 at the Spittal of Glenshee and at Braemar. The hill is in the Southern Cairngorms avalanche forecast's area. Choose a day with a good forecast, and carry a map, a compass and warm clothes.

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The Daily for 1 November, from Scotland with love. A misty lane runs past slate-roofed cottages toward a wooded hillside.
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Close by
  1. Devil’s Elbow ViewpointDevil’s Elbow Viewpoint1 mile as the crow flies
  2. Carn AosdaA Munro of 915 metres above the Glenshee ski centre on the A93 in the Cairngorms National Park, climbed from the ski centre's car park.1 mile as the crow flies
  3. Glas MaolA Munro of 1,068 metres in Angus, east of the A93 at the Glenshee ski centre, climbed from the ski centre's car park.2 miles as the crow flies
  4. Creag LeacachA Munro of 988 metres on the east side of the A93 in Glenshee, climbed from the car park south of the Devil's Elbow.2 miles as the crow flies
  5. Carn an TuircA Munro of 1,019 metres on the east side of the A93 at Glenshee, climbed from a car park on the A93 north of the Glenshee ski centre.3 miles as the crow flies
  6. Glenshee Kirk, a small rubble-stone church with a bellcote, behind a mossy kirkyard wall and old gravestones, a green hill rising behind it at the Spittal of Glenshee.Spittal of GlensheeA hamlet between Blairgowrie and Braemar with a country kirk, a prehistoric standing stone, an old military bridge and a legendary grave.5 miles as the crow flies
Directions
Glen Shee from the road, heather and hills under a wide sky.AttractionsGlenshee4.9 miles
Loch Callater lying in its glen between heather slopes and hills.WalksLoch Callater5.1 miles
The Cockstane: Clan MacThomas' Ancient Gathering Stone, AberdeenshireAttractionsThe Cockstane: Clan MacThomas' Ancient Gathering Stone8.1 miles
The deep trench of the Lairig Ghru between steep hillsides.AttractionsThe Lairig Ghru8.2 miles
The whole of Larch House across its meadow: the larch-clad gable and long roof with roof lights, the lower wing beside it, a ring of river stones in the grass and oaks behind.BlairgowrieLarch HouseSleeps 6 · 8.4 miles
Glenshee Café & Gift Shop, AberdeenshireCafeGlenshee Café & Gift Shop8.6 miles
AttractionsLochnagar - Cac Carn Beag8.7 miles
The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion at Braemar, green timber under red roofs and a white clock tower.AttractionsBraemar Highland Games Centre8.7 miles
A path through the heather towards the wooded slopes of Creag Choinnich above Braemar.WalksCreag Choinnich8.7 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near The Cairnwell, and when each is next free.

The whole of Larch House across its meadow: the larch-clad gable and long roof with roof lights, the lower wing beside it, a ring of river stones in the grass and oaks behind.Larch House
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Blairgowrie
  • 8 miles from The Cairnwell
Check datesA landscape view of Faunoran House from the garden, the terrace and its white table, the house reflected in the long pond.Faunoran House
  • Sleeps 10
  • In Crathie
  • 14 miles from The Cairnwell
Free 1–3 NovA stone farmhouse with dormer windows sits behind a timber post and rail fence, trees and hills visible beyond.Milton of Kincraigie
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Blair Atholl
  • 17 miles from The Cairnwell
Check datesA stone cottage with a gabled dormer window catches evening light among autumn trees, a bench and picnic table on the gravel outside.Charlottefield
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Tulliemet
  • 17 miles from The Cairnwell
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
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