Beinn a' Ghlò

Beinn a’ Ghlò is a large mountain in the Cairngorms National Park, about ten kilometres northeast of Blair Atholl. It lies between Glen Tilt and Glen Loch and covers roughly forty square kilometres. The mountain has three Munros: Càrn Liath at 976 metres, Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain at 1,070 metres, and Càrn nan Gabhar at 1,121.9 metres. Its slopes show patches of grey scree among grass, with heather growing thickly on the lower parts. In summer the heather turns the lower slopes a vivid purple. The mountain is recognised for its plant life and has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation. Rare alpine and marsh plants grow here, including yellow oxytropis, mountain avens, rock speedwell, rock sedge and green spleenwort. Queen Victoria saw the mountain in 1844 from Glen Tilt and praised its beauty. A legend says a rifle shot fired in one of its nineteen corries cannot be heard in the others. Walkers usually start from Loch Moraig or Marble Lodge in Glen Tilt. The route climbs steeply to Càrn Liath through white granite scree before dropping to a col at 760 metres. From there it rises to Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain, offering views down Glen Tilt, then turns east to Càrn nan Gabhar. The return can pass over Airgiod Bheinn, known as Silver Mountain, before returning to the valley. Both Càrn Liath and Càrn nan Gabhar have trig points and wide views across the Cairngorms and surrounding glens.