Càrn an Tuirc

Càrn an Tuirc stands in the Grampian Mountains of Aberdeenshire, about ten kilometres south of Braemar. Its Gaelic name means ‘hill of the boar’. The mountain reaches 1019 metres and is classed as a Munro. It lies north-east of the Cairnwell Pass, where four Munros cluster close together. The summit area is a broad, flat plateau marked by two stone cairns in a wide scatter of rocks. The mountain offers clear routes to nearby tops. Many hill-walkers combine Càrn an Tuirc with Glas Maol and Cairn of Claise, starting from the Glenshee Ski Centre. A direct ascent can be made from the A93 by turning north of the road into Garbh Choire. From Glen Callater a longer ridge walk leads up the northern spur, a route that avoids the ski area’s buildings. On top, wide views open across the plateau and surrounding Munros. The slopes fall steeply into Coire Loch Kander on one side and Garbh Choire on the other. The broad northern ridge drops gently towards Loch Callater, giving a long, easy descent. The contrast between the flat summit and the steep corries below makes the mountain memorable.