Càrn an Fhìdhleir (Càrn Ealar)

Càrn an Fhìdhleir, at 994 metres — also known as Càrn Ealar, and among the hardest of all Munros to reach given its remote position south of the main Cairngorms — is a rounded, largely featureless hill whose distinction lies entirely in its sheer isolation.

Reached from An Sgarsoch via a nice rising traverse across steep grassy flanks to a bealach, the ascent continues to the summit cairn, a real prize for any dedicated Munro-bagger given the distance required to reach it. The summit area is notably flat, but the views remain very extensive across this vast, empty landscape.

Alternative approaches include Glen Feshie, involving a very long but beautiful walk up the glen before crossing the Eidart footbridge and tackling the boggy lower slopes directly, or Glen Tilt from Blair Atholl — even longer, though offering the possibility of using the Tarf bothy, with the caveat that crossing the River Tarf on the return can become impossible in spate conditions.

From the summit, the descent to Geldie Lodge and the long track back to the Linn of Dee crosses genuinely pathless, peat hag-riddled terrain that requires tolerance for bog and heather, with a stony ford over the Allt a' Chaorainn on the return crossing.

The round trip taking in both An Sgarsoch and Càrn an Fhìdhleir from the Linn of Dee, whether walked or partly cycled, is a very long day, typically ten to twelve hours or more; many choose to camp overnight at Geldie Lodge given the sheer scale of the undertaking, and a mountain bike saves considerable time on the approach and return tracks.

This is genuinely remote, isolated terrain with river crossings that demand attention to water levels and broad, undulating ground that tests navigation skills in poor visibility — full self-sufficiency is essential given the distance from any help, and this pair should not be underestimated in wild weather despite their gentle contours.

Parking at the Linn of Dee is chargeable; a very limited summer bus service runs from Braemar.