Marilyn · Cairngorms
Ord Ban
Ord Ban — the white knoll — is a sharp little 429m hill rising directly out of the Rothiemurchus pinewoods above Loch an Eilein near Aviemore. Despite minimal height, it gives one of the most spectacular short-walk views in Scotland: the entire Cairngorm northern corries laid out beyond a foreground of native pines.
Gaelic: “fair” · Pronunciation: ord bahn
Quick facts
- Height
- 429m/ 1407ft
- Grid ref
- NH 89171 08520
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 43km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
pinewood 35% · heather moorland 45% · rocky summit 20%
From the Loch an Eilein car park, take the lochside circuit a short way then turn uphill on a steep zigzagging path through pine and birch to the rocky summit. A 3km circuit takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Terrain
Sandy pine-needle footpath lower down giving way to exposed quartzite outcrops at the top. The summit is small and rocky with little room for groups to gather.
In winter
Often holds light snow on the pine-shaded ascent path, where ice can persist long after surrounding ground has cleared. Micro spikes useful from December onwards. Sunrise from the summit on a clear winter morning is special.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 31m
- Edinburgh4h 32m
OS maps: OS Landranger 35, OS Landranger 36, OS Explorer 057N, OS Explorer 403N
Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Fine Strathspey views near Aviemore.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:19
- Sunset
- 22:13
- Civil dawn
- 03:10
- Civil dusk
- 23:22
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Ord Ban on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Aviemore station
Cairngorm plateau; Lairig Ghru; Speyside Way; Glenmore
5km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Aviemore
Cairngorms base — Strathspey valley, ski centre, train
5km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Tomatin
Tomatin — large Highland distillery just off the A9, south of Inverness
24km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Ord Ban — common questions
- How hard is Ord Ban?
- Ord Ban is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Sandy pine-needle footpath lower down giving way to exposed quartzite outcrops at the top.
- When is the best time to climb Ord Ban?
- The standard good-weather months for Ord Ban are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Ord Ban?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Ord Ban?
- Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Fine Strathspey views near Aviemore.
- Is Ord Ban safe in winter?
- Often holds light snow on the pine-shaded ascent path, where ice can persist long after surrounding ground has cleared. Micro spikes useful from December onwards. Sunrise from the summit on a clear winter morning is special.
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