Càrn a' Chlamain

Càrn a' Chlamain, at 963 metres, is a relatively minor stony summit rising above a spacious and remote plateau on the edge of Glen Tilt, one of the Highlands' most beautiful glens — an approach that alone makes this walk a minor classic. Hamish Brown records that this was Queen Victoria's first Munro, and some speculate that the excellent estate track was created for her royal visit.

The route starts from the well-signed car park at Old Bridge of Tilt, near Blair Atholl. A waymarked circuit path leads through trees and crosses the road on an old stone footbridge, with superb views up Glen Tilt as the estate track continues past Auchgobhal and Marble Lodge (now a holiday rental), following the river through farmland, woodland, and forestry — the track passes close to a rifle range, with access occasionally banned during long-range shooting on certain weekends (dates available from the Atholl Estate's Ranger Service). Continuing up the glen past Gaw's Bridge, the route eventually reaches a wooden bridge over the Allt Craoinidh — a popular point to leave bikes for those cycling the approach. Crossing this bridge, a steep path climbs directly uphill through heather for around 100 metres before meeting a bulldozed track heading up the broad southern shoulder of Càrn a' Chlamain. This track can be followed all the way, or a more direct line of the older path can be picked up at a cairn for a long section, before rejoining the track, which passes just to the right of the stony summit dome — a short stony path completes the final ascent to the cairn.

The view impresses most with its wildness and sense of immense space: north to the Cairngorms, including Cairn Toul and the Devil's Point, south to Schiehallion, and the massive bulk of neighbouring Beinn a' Ghlò close at hand.

The out-and-back route from Old Bridge of Tilt is around 27-32 kilometres, typically seven to twelve hours depending on whether a bike is used for the long approach — a mountain bike is widely recommended and can dramatically reduce the walking time, with the return largely downhill.

In mist or when snow-covered, the path can become genuinely difficult to follow across the broad summit plateau, and navigation may prove more challenging than the generally straightforward nature of the route suggests — full navigation skills and a realistic assessment of the considerable distance involved are both essential.

Parking at Old Bridge of Tilt is free; Blair Atholl has both rail and bus connections, around a kilometre from the start.