NH9911 : Summit cairn on Meall a Bhuachaille
Hillwalk; steep and rough paths

Meall a' Bhuachaille

810m Elevation
436m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NH9911 : Summit cairn on Meall a Bhuachaille

Gordon Brown Photo source

Overview

Meall a' Bhuachaille is an 810 m Corbett rising above Glenmore and Loch Morlich in the Cairngorms. Woodland paths lead to an open summit with a large shelter cairn and views towards Cairn Gorm and the Northern Corries. The classic Glenmore circuit visits An Lochan Uaine and Ryvoan Bothy; check current access notices before walking.

Meall a' Bhuachaille

Above Glenmore

Meall a' Bhuachaille is an 810 m Corbett above Glenmore and Loch Morlich, on the northern side of the Cairngorms. It is the highest point of the Kincardine Hills. Its separate position gives a close view across Glenmore to Cairn Gorm and the Northern Corries, with forest and Strathspey below.

The summit has a large stone cairn and wind shelter. Beyond the forest the hill is open and exposed: a clear path does not remove the need for navigation, weather protection and sound judgement.

Glenmore and Ryvoan circuit

The usual circular walk starts at Glenmore Visitor Centre, NH977098. The higher woodland path leads towards An Lochan Uaine, then the route continues through Ryvoan Pass to Ryvoan Bothy. A sustained climb on the east-side path reaches the summit. Descend west towards the col below Creagan Gorm, then turn south through Coire Chondlaich to return to Glenmore.

Walkhighlands publishes 8.5 km, 540 m ascent and 3.5–4.5 hours for that itinerary. These figures do not describe a one-way east-ridge ascent or the longer ridge walk from Badaguish. Rough steps and short boardwalk sections on the woodland approach can be slippery when wet or icy. The direct western ascent from Glenmore, returning by the same path, is another option, with no distance or time asserted here.

Access update: 16 October 2026

FLS's 5 October reopening notice and current local alerts confirm access to An Lochan Uaine and Ryvoan Bothy, and the full summit circuit. Older wildfire notices describing a west-only summit ascent have been superseded for this circuit. Allt Mor and the Lodge Trail remain affected by closures. Stay on open routes in the burned forest because unstable trees and branches remain a hazard.

The longer Badaguish ridge itinerary has a separate forestry closure. Check FLS local alerts and follow signs before setting out.

Rock and local history

FLS identifies quartzite on the open hill, rather than the granite that dominates the main Cairngorm massif. The Gaelic name means Hill of the Herdsman. Nearby Ryvoan Bothy stands on the Thieves' Road and survives from a farm abandoned in 1877.

Starting the walk

Glenmore has paid parking, a visitor centre and a café. Buses from Aviemore towards Cairngorm Mountain pass the visitor centre. Café facilities depend on opening hours; village toilets are nearby. Check the return bus before leaving the valley, and carry what you need for the hill.

Explore routes near Meall a' Bhuachaille

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Rothiemurchus: Beaver Trail and Lochan Mor

6.1 km ~2h 30m Moderate

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Aviemore: Loch an Eilein and the Croft Track from Rothiemurchus

11.3 km ~3h 30m Moderate

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Cairngorms night walk and stargazing (event meeting)

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Cairngorms night walk and stargazing (event meeting)

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Meall a' Bhuachaille circuit from Glenmore via Ryvoan

Circuit from Glenmore Visitor Centre (NH977098) via the higher woodland path, An Lochan Uaine and Ryvoan Bothy; climb the east-side path to the summit, descend west towards Creagan Gorm col, then south through Coire Chondlaich to Glenmore. Walkhighlands: 8.5 km, 540 m ascent, 3.5–4.5 hours. FLS confirms the full circuit open (checked 16 October 2026); follow local signs and check current alerts.

8.5 km Hillwalk on established paths with steep sections
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Corbett Simm

Elevation

810m

2,657 ft

Prominence

436m

Coordinates

57.1835, -3.6711

NH990115

OS Map

36

Explorer: OL57N 403N

At the Summit

A large stone cairn with a wind shelter marks the summit.

Terrain & Geology

Forest tracks narrow woodland paths boardwalks and stone steps constructed hill paths with steep sections open heathery slopes and exposed summit ground

FLS's Strathspey land-management plan identifies quartzite on the open ground of Meall a' Bhuachaille and towards the Slugan Pass. This quartz-rich rock is metamorphosed sandstone. The surrounding forest also overlies psammite; the main Cairngorm granite massif lies across Glenmore.

Views & Scenery

Views across Glenmore to Cairn Gorm and the Northern Corries, down to Loch Morlich, and over the forests towards Strathspey. Creagan Gorm and the continuation of the Kincardine ridge lie to the west and north-west.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

Gaelic: Hill of the Herdsman, also rendered Hill of the Shepherd.

Historical Significance

Ryvoan Bothy, on the usual circuit, stands on the Thieves' Road between Nethy Bridge and Glenmore. It is the surviving part of a farm abandoned in 1877 and is maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Paid parking at Glenmore Visitor Centre, the usual circuit start at NH977098. The visitor centre car park is managed by Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust; FLS parking passes are not valid there. Check local access signs and parking information before travelling. Allt Mor car park remains closed as of 16 October 2026.

Public Transport

Buses between Aviemore and Cairngorm Mountain pass Glenmore Visitor Centre. Check Traveline Scotland or the operator for current times and the last return service.

Nearby Facilities

Glenmore Visitor Centre has a café and toilets available during café opening hours. FLS also lists 24-hour village toilets near the bus stop, a short walk away. Check opening times before travelling and carry food, water and hillwalking equipment.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Steep hill paths and rough steps need care; woodland boardwalks can be slippery when wet or icy.
  • The open upper slopes are exposed to strong wind and low cloud. Carry suitable clothing and a map and compass, and know how to use them.
  • Following the 2026 wildfire, unstable trees remain in the burned forest. Use open routes and follow closure signs; Allt Mor and the Lodge Trail remain affected.
  • The longer Badaguish ridge route has separate forestry restrictions. Check current FLS notices before planning an extension.

Seasonal Hazards

Snow and ice can make the hill and woodland steps much more demanding than in summer. Winter conditions require appropriate equipment and the skills to use it. Wet or icy boardwalks are slippery; strong winds can affect the exposed summit in any season.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Meall a' Bhuachaille?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Meall a' Bhuachaille through the maps

Are there other walkers around Meall a' Bhuachaille?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Meall a' Bhuachaille search or of course create your own walk for Meall a' Bhuachaille

Can I organise a walk to Meall a' Bhuachaille?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

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How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Meall a' Bhuachaille?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

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Location

Meall a' Bhuachaille location map

Grid reference: NH990115

View on OpenStreetMap

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