Munro · Cairngorms
Carn an Righ
Càrn an Rìgh (1029m) — "the king's cairn" — is a broad, remote Munro standing on the high ground between Glas Tulaichean to the south-east and Beinn Iutharn Mhòr to the east. The hill is rarely climbed in isolation and is almost always paired with Glas Tulaichean or included in a longer round of Beinn Iutharn Mhòr too. The summit cairn has a small stone shelter perched at the top, welcome on the often-windy plateau.
Quick facts
- Height
- 1029m/ 3376ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 906 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NO028772
- Parking
- NO091713
- Nearest city
- Perth
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Stalkers path 40% · Open moorland 40% · Summit plateau 20%
From the Dalmunzie Hotel near Spittal of Glenshee, take the private estate landrover track north-west up Gleann Taitneach almost to the summit of Glas Tulaichean. From there drop north-west into the broad bealach (Mam nan Carn), then climb the long broad south-east shoulder of Càrn an Rìgh. Most parties return over Glas Tulaichean for both Munros. Around 18km with 950m of ascent for the pair.
Terrain
The Dalmunzie estate track is excellent surface for fast access to the higher ground. Once off the track the surface turns to rough heathery hillside, with peat hags in the Mam nan Carn bealach itself. The summit dome of Càrn an Rìgh is broad mossy turf and gravel with a stone shelter at the cairn. Navigation across the broad linking bealach in poor visibility is the main challenge of the round.
In winter
A remote winter Munro day. The Mam nan Carn bealach fills with deep wind-blown snow — slow and tiring under foot. The broad summit dome drifts heavily and offers few navigation landmarks. Phone signal is absent throughout. Dalmunzie estate access can be drifted closed; the A93 to Spittal of Glenshee is gritted but the side road is private. SAIS Southern Cairngorms applies.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 33m
- Edinburgh2h 15m
OS maps: OS Landranger 43
Mobile signal: No signal above 750m on the remote Glenshee plateau. Spittal of Glenshee has intermittent coverage. Download maps before setting off.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:25
- Sunset
- 22:02
- Civil dawn
- 03:21
- Civil dusk
- 23:06
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Carn an Righ.
Around Carn an Righ 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
20km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Pitlochry
Perthshire base — Schiehallion, Beinn a Ghlo, Ben Vrackie
21km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Edradour
Pitlochry — until recently Scotland's smallest distillery; charming Perthshire setting
19km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Carn an Righ — common questions
- How hard is Carn an Righ?
- Carn an Righ is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 906m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Dalmunzie estate track is excellent surface for fast access to the higher ground.
- Where do I park for Carn an Righ?
- Standard parking is at NO091713 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 Righ?
- The standard good-weather months for Carn an Righ 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 Righ?
- 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 Righ?
- No signal above 750m on the remote Glenshee plateau. Spittal of Glenshee has intermittent coverage. Download maps before setting off.
- Is Carn an Righ safe in winter?
- A remote winter Munro day. The Mam nan Carn bealach fills with deep wind-blown snow — slow and tiring under foot. The broad summit dome drifts heavily and offers few navigation landmarks. Phone signal is absent throughout. Dalmunzie estate access can be drifted closed; the A93 to Spittal of Glenshee is gritted but the side road is private. SAIS Southern Cairngorms applies.
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