Cairngorms

**The Cairngorms** (Scottish Gaelic: _Am Monadh Ruadh_) is a group of mountains in the eastern part of Highlands of Scotland. It is usually linked with the mountain of the Cairn Gorm. The Cairngorms became part of Scotland's second national park (the Cairngorms National Park) on 1 September 2003. It was part of the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Cairgorms, Angus Glens, Monadhliath, and lower areas of Strathspey, make up the Cairngorms National Park.

## Geography

The Cairngorms is made of high plateau that is about 1000–1200 m above sea level. They have domed summits that are around 1300 m. high. Many of the summits have tors. These are basically free-standing rock formations that stand on top of the rocky landscape.

The edges of the plateau that have narrow cliffs of granite. It makes it ideal for skiing, rock climbing and ice climbing.

## Animals

The area is home to birds such as ptarmigan, dotterel, snow bunting, curlew and red grouse, as well as mammals such as mountain hare.

The plateau is also home to Britain's only herd of reindeer. Next to the central massif are the remainders of the Caledonian forest. These forests support many species that are not found anywhere elsewhere in the United Kingdom. These include red squirrels, pine marten, wood ants, Scottish crossbill, capercaillie and crested tit.

## Activities

There are no glaciers in the area. However, snow can fall at any month of the year. In fact, some snow may be found all summer. It is the most ideal place for ice climbing in Britain.

The mountains are also popular for hill-walking, ski touring and  climbing. There are also three alpine ski centres within the area: Cairn Gorm, The Lecht and Glenshee.

The range lies in the Scottish council areas of Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highland, and within the counties of Aberdeenshire, Invernessshire and Banffshire.

## Name

The original Gaelic name for the area is _Am Monadh Ruadh_, (the red hills). It is different from _Am Monadh Liath_ (the grey hills) which lie to the west of the River Spey:

The English language name for the area is Cairngorms. It came from Cairn Gorm. It is the prominent in the view of the mountains from Speyside. The earliest time when the name appeared in the history is from a Colonel T. Thornton who visited the area in about 1786:

Cairn Gorm means _Blue Cairn. A_lthough the Gaelic _gorm_ can also be used as an adjective and verb. It means green or greening, and is often seen in connection with growing grass.

## Related pages

- Caledonian Forest

### Notes

- John Allen joined the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team after the time of the disaster and went on to become its leader.
- Adam Watson is an academic and hill walker with very great experience of the Cairngorms.

## Other websites

- The Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group
- The Cairngorm Club
- Cairngorms National Park
- Cairngorm Mountain
- Cairngorms Climate Change
- Walks in the Cairngorms

## Infobox (protected area)

- **name**: Cairngorms
- **iucn category**: IV
- **photo**: Cairn Gorm - geograph.org.uk - 366811.jpg
- **photo caption**: Cairn Gorm view over Coire an t-Sneachda, a glacial cirque
- **location**: Highland (council area), Highland, Aberdeenshire and Moray, Scotland
- **nearest city**: Inverness, Aberdeen
- **map**: Scotland
- **relief**: 1
- **map caption**: Location within Scotland (dot shows approximate centre of the central plateau)
- **area km2**: 292
- **established**: 1987
- **governing body**: Scottish Natural Heritage