Munro · Cairngorms
Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar)
Càrn an Fhìdhleir (994m) — "fiddler's hill", also known as Càrn Ealar — is one of the remotest Munros in Scotland, sitting on the watershed where Glen Tilt, Glen Feshie and the Geldie all meet. The hill stands alone in a vast roadless interior, its broad summit a marker on the historic Mounth drove route. Almost always paired with An Sgarsoch on the same expedition, the two Munros forming a long traverse that is among the great Scottish wilderness days.
Quick facts
- Height
- 994m/ 3261ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 875 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN904841
- Parking
- NO062898
- Nearest
- Perth· Inverness 65km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Glen track 50% · Open moorland 35% · Summit 15%
Most efficient via Linn of Dee — bike or walk west along the Geldie estate track to White Bridge, then turn south on the rough path to the Bynack Burn crossing. Climb An Sgarsoch first, then traverse west across the broad bealach to Càrn an Fhìdhleir. Return via the Tarf Water track or the same Geldie line. Around 36km with 1100m of ascent for the pair with bike. Alternative two-day approach from Blair Atholl via the long Glen Tilt.
Terrain
The Geldie's firm landrover surface makes the long estate-road approach ideal for bikes. The Bynack Burn and Geldie crossings can be unfordable after rain. Above the tracks the ground turns to rough wet heather and peat hag. The summit area of Càrn an Fhìdhleir is broad mossy turf with no real high-point landmark — just a small cairn on bare ground. The wide bealach to An Sgarsoch is peaty and slow underfoot.
In winter
A genuinely committing winter wilderness day. The Geldie water crossings can be unfordable after snowmelt; the long approach in shortened daylight is unforgiving. The vast featureless summits drift heavily and demand confident whiteout navigation. There is no mobile reception anywhere on the round. SAIS Southern Cairngorms is the nearest formal forecast area. Self-sufficient winter mountaineering essential.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 37m
- Edinburgh2h 28m
OS maps: OS Landranger 43
Mobile signal: No signal. Genuinely remote — no coverage for 20km in any direction from the summit. Download maps before leaving Blair Atholl or Braemar.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:25
- Sunset
- 22:03
- Civil dawn
- 03:21
- Civil dusk
- 23:07
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar).
Around Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar) on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Blair Atholl station
Beinn a Ghlo; Glen Tilt corridor north to the Cairngorms
19km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Pitlochry
Perthshire base — Schiehallion, Beinn a Ghlo, Ben Vrackie
26km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Edradour
Pitlochry — until recently Scotland's smallest distillery; charming Perthshire setting
26km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar) — common questions
- How hard is Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar)?
- Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar) is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 875m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Geldie's firm landrover surface makes the long estate-road approach ideal for bikes.
- Where do I park for Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar)?
- Standard parking is at NO062898 near Perth. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar)?
- The standard good-weather months for Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar) are 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 Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar)?
- 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 Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar)?
- No signal. Genuinely remote — no coverage for 20km in any direction from the summit. Download maps before leaving Blair Atholl or Braemar.
- Is Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar) safe in winter?
- A genuinely committing winter wilderness day. The Geldie water crossings can be unfordable after snowmelt; the long approach in shortened daylight is unforgiving. The vast featureless summits drift heavily and demand confident whiteout navigation. There is no mobile reception anywhere on the round. SAIS Southern Cairngorms is the nearest formal forecast area. Self-sufficient winter mountaineering essential.
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