Broad Cairn

Broad Cairn, at 998 metres, is the fifth and final Munro of the classic White Mounth circuit, its granite-outcropped summit a fine viewpoint over Loch Muick and the surrounding plateau.

Reached from Cairn Bannoch via an unusual bealach where three summits — Cairn of Gowal, Creagan Dubh-loch, and Broad Cairn — radiate outward, a final steady pull leads up to the cairn atop granite outcrops. The descent down the far side is notably rougher, crossing awkward boulders for a time before a track across the plateau is joined at Little Craig. This route curves south-east, ignoring branches for Bachnagairn and an alternative descent via Corrie Chash, eventually running close to the edge of steep slopes above Loch Muick with spectacular views down to the water, before descending in a series of zig-zags to cross the Black Burn and continue back towards the Spittal of Glen Muick.

An alternative, shorter outing combines Broad Cairn with Cairn Bannoch alone, visiting the dramatic Creag an Dubh-loch — a magnificent, much less celebrated crag than Lochnagar's own cliffs, overlooking its own lonely loch — before the higher-level return above Loch Muick via this same descent track.

The full White Mounth circuit taking in all five Munros — Lochnagar, Càrn a' Choire Bhòidheach, Càrn an t-Sagairt Mòr, Cairn Bannoch, and Broad Cairn — from Spittal of Glen Muick is around 28-30 kilometres, typically nine to eleven hours; many choose to wild camp along the route, breaking this substantial day into two more manageable stages.

The boulder descent from Broad Cairn demands care on tired legs after a long circuit, and the full round is a genuinely exposed, remote mountain route — in good conditions the stony, tundra-like terrain makes for easy going, but full navigation skills and preparation for changeable weather remain essential.

Parking at Spittal of Glen Muick is chargeable; there is no public transport to the start.