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
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.
Related geosites
Overlaps with:
Carol Pudsey
Dec. 15, 2024
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
May 31, 2017
1. Sheet jointing in granite, Braeriach
Carol Pudsey
May 31, 2021
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 31, 2017
2. View from the summit of Braeriach southeast down the deep glacial trough of the Lairig Ghru.
Carol Pudsey
April 22, 2019
2. Oblique satellite image of the three corries on the east side of Beinn a' Bhuiridh. Image © 2024 Google Earth.
Carol Pudsey
Nov. 30, 2024
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
May 31, 2017
The Chalamain Gap, a spectacular meltwater channel just SE of Creag a' Chalamain.
Carol Pudsey
Nov. 30, 2024
3. Oblique satellite image of boulder moraine, Coire na Ciche. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database rights 2024.
Carol Pudsey
Nov. 30, 2024
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
June 23, 2024
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
Sept. 14, 2009
4. Periglacial landforms: small-scale patterned ground on Creag Mhor.
Carol Pudsey
July 27, 2011
Periglacial landforms: solifluction lobes NW of Sròn na Lairige.