Càrn Gorm

Càrn Gorm is a Munro mountain in the Breadalbane region of the Scottish Highlands. It stands on the north side of Glen Lyon in Perthshire, part of a group of four Munros known as the Càrn Mairg group or the Glen Lyon Horseshoe. The mountain rises to 1,029 metres and is often climbed as the first peak in a clockwise circuit of the group. Its summit forms a neat cone, and the hill lies within the Chesthill estate where large herds of deer graze on its slopes. The name Càrn Gorm comes from the Gaelic for ‘blue hill’, though the term also refers to the green of foliage. The dark tones of the grass on its slopes likely inspired the name rather than the nearby conifer plantation. Càrn Gorm is mostly covered in grassy slopes with scattered rocky outcrops, and its summit is formed by the meeting of four ridges. The longest ridge runs eight kilometres northwest to Loch Rannoch, passing through woodlands that are part of the ancient Black Wood of Rannoch. The southeast ridge descends to the glen of the Invervar Burn and is planted with coniferous woodland on its lower slopes. This eastern side is part of a 1,930-hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to rare plant species in an undisturbed sub-alpine habitat. Near the Invervar Burn are the remains of old shielings used in summer cattle grazing. The south ridge is short and steep with crags and is best avoided as a walking route. The north ridge connects Càrn Gorm to the adjoining Munro of Meall Garbh, passing over the subsidiary top of An Sgorr, which is listed as a ‘Top’ of Càrn Gorm at 924 metres. Between the ridges are steep slopes, especially to the east, north and southwest. All water from the mountain feeds the River Tay, with most flowing south via Glen Lyon and a small amount north via Loch Rannoch. The summit has two high points: a small cairn marks the true summit, and 80 metres northwest lies the fallen trig point within a wind shelter. From the top, Glen Lyon and the Ben Lawers range provide fine views.