The Cairngorms
Geological Conservation Review site | GCR #2284 | Quaternary Geology | Quaternary of Scotland
Scotland's geosites are chosen because of their local, national or international importance. Take only photos, leave only footprints: avoid causing any damage to this site. You can walk almost anywhere in Scotland without the need to ask permission or keep to paths, but you have a responsibility to care for your own safety, to respect people's privacy and peace of mind and to cause no damage.
This site is partially a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage the protected natural features of a SSSI, and this includes unauthorised sample collection.
The right of access does not extend to quarries, building sites or any land where public access is prohibited, or to the collection of geological samples.
Summary
The Cairngorm Mountains is one of the most outstanding geomorphological sites in Britain, demonstrating the finest assemblage of glacial and periglacial landforms, tors and erosion surfaces in the country. It is a key locality, internationally recognised, for scientific research and education on the forms and process of glacial and periglacial activity. Many of the individual features are classic examples of their type. However, it is the scale and total assemblage of features developed in a relatively compact area which makes the Cairngorms so remarkable. In particular, the close juxtaposition and combination of tors, erosion surfaces, deeply-weathered regolith, corries, glacial valleys, moraines, meltwater channels and deposits, periglacial slope phenomena and patterned ground are unique outside parts of the Arctic. Moreover, the Cairngorms include the greatest area of the highest ground in Britain, much of it unique for the extensive arctic character of the landscape.
Site information
Access notes
The main routes into the Cairngorms are from Deeside and Speyside. In Deeside to the south, the usual starting point is the large car park near the Linn of Dee (modest charge). From there a rough private road goes west up the River Dee towards the major N-S pass of the Lairig Ghru. Another private road goes NW up Glen Lui. From Speyside to the NW, possibilities are the ski centre car park SE of Aviemore (immodest charge), Achlean in Glen Feshie and Gleann Einich from Coylumbridge. The long approach roads can all be cycled.
Further information
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3175378
1. Pre-glacial landform elements include plateau surfaces with granite tors, decomposed granite, shallow fluvial valleys and sheet jointing at the tops of glacial cliffs. The Barns of Bynack are fine examples of tors.
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3591270
4. Periglacial landforms include rock glaciers (protalus lobes and ramparts), boulder fields on the plateau, solifluction lobes and patterned ground. Photo shows the boulder field on Ben Macdui.
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2528007
5. The Lateglacial and Holocene vegetation history is recorded in sediments at Abernethy Forest and in pollen and plant macrofossil records from several sites including Loch Einich. Photo shows tree stumps in the bog just north of Loch Einich.
Safety notes
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Site highlights
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Related geosites
Overlaps with
Wider view of situation of An Lochan Uiane from Meall a'Bhuachaille
Dave Longstaff
Aug. 10, 2012
NH 9963 1164
(bearing 160)
An Lochan Uiane from the slopes of Meall a'Bhuachaille.
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 22, 2012
NH 9979 1154
(bearing 160)
An Lochan Uaine from the west
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 22, 2012
NJ 0006 1048
(bearing 090)
Meltwater channels, lower slopes of Cairngorm and Northen Corries below the car park.
Dave Longstaff
Aug. 10, 1995
NH 9892 0633
(bearing 150)
Shelter Stone beside Loch Avon. Shelter Stone crag in distance,
Dave Longstaff
Aug. 10, 1993
NJ 0057 0175
Clach Bhan from Meall Gaineimh. Ben Avon summit in distance.
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 11, 2016
NJ 1658 0538
(bearing 240)
Granite tor of Clach Bhan on shoulder of Meall Gaineimh. Solifluction lobes in foreground.
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 11, 2016
NJ 1625 0537
(bearing 270)
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 11, 2016
NJ 1616 0544
Clach Bhan eroded granite
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 11, 2016
NJ 1620 0536
Potholes on Clach Bhan, wind and rain eroded.
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 11, 2016
NJ 1620 0540
of Inchrory Lodge from shoulder of Meall Gaineimh
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 11, 2016
NJ 1740 0656
(bearing 040)
Closer detail of solifluction lobes, Meall Gaineimh.
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 11, 2016
NJ 1673 0552
(bearing 010)
Solifluction lobes north shoulder of Meall Gaineimh.
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 11, 2016
NJ 1665 0562
(bearing 010)
Detail of Limestone outcrop, Inchrory Limestone Formation
Dave Longstaff
Sept. 11, 2016
NJ 1769 0861
(bearing 030)
1. Pre-glacial landform elements include plateau surfaces with granite tors, decomposed granite, shallow fluvial valleys and sheet jointing at the tops of glacial cliffs. Oblique satellite image of the Caochan Dubh valley in the western Cairngorms. Glen Eidart down to the right. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database rights 2024.
Carol Pudsey
Dec. 15, 2024
NN 9005 9275
1. Sheet jointing in granite, Braeriach
Carol Pudsey
May 30, 2017
NN 9537 9994
(bearing 180)
2. Landforms of glacial erosion include deep glacial troughs created by ice streams within an ice sheet, and corries created by local mountain glaciers. This is an oblique satellite image of Glen Avon, with Cairn Gorm up to the left. Strath Nethy is a diffluent glacial breach. Image © 2024 Google Earth.
Carol Pudsey
May 30, 2021
NH 9999 0072
(bearing 045)
2. View from the summit of Braeriach southeast down the deep glacial trough of the Lairig Ghru.
Carol Pudsey
May 30, 2017
NN 9535 9995
(bearing 135)
2. Oblique satellite image of the three corries on the east side of Beinn a' Bhuiridh. Image © 2024 Google Earth.
Carol Pudsey
April 21, 2019
NO 1155 9955
(bearing 270)
3. Landforms of deglaciation include large meltwater channels, boulder moraines in corries and hummocky moraine Oblique satellite image of meltwater channels south of Loch Morlich; Glenmore Forest Park in the foreground. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database rights 2024.
Carol Pudsey
Nov. 30, 2024
NH 9545 1005
(bearing 150)
The Chalamain Gap, a spectacular meltwater channel just SE of Creag a' Chalamain.
Carol Pudsey
May 30, 2017
NN 9669 0545
(bearing 220)
3. Oblique satellite image of boulder moraine, Coire na Ciche. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database rights 2024.
Carol Pudsey
Nov. 30, 2024
NO 1055 9805
(bearing 050)
3. Oblique satellite image of hummocky moraine, just south of the head of Loch Builg. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database rights 2024.
Carol Pudsey
Nov. 30, 2024
NJ 2005 0335
(bearing 240)
4. Periglacial landforms include rock glaciers (protalus lobes and ramparts), boulder fields on the plateau, solifluction lobes and patterned ground. Oblique satellite image of Coire Beanaidh showing along protalus lobe. The hill out of sight above is Braeriach. Image © 2024 Google Earth.
Carol Pudsey
June 22, 2024
NH 9555 0205
(bearing 180)
4. Periglacial landforms: small-scale patterned ground on Creag Mhor.
Carol Pudsey
Sept. 13, 2009
NJ 0575 0477
(bearing 040)
Periglacial landforms: solifluction lobes NW of Sròn na Lairige.
Carol Pudsey
July 26, 2011
NH 9535 0335
(bearing 120)