Càrn an t-Sagairt Mòr

Càrn an t-Sagairt Mòr, at 1,047 metres — "Big Cairn of the Priest" — sits on the Mounth plateau west of Lochnagar, a dome-shaped hill whose best-known feature isn't scenic but historical: the scattered wreckage of an RAF English Electric Canberra jet that crashed here on 22 November 1956, killing its two-man crew.

Most walkers reach this summit as part of the full White Mounth circuit from Spittal of Glen Muick, climbing Lochnagar first before heading south-west across the plateau via The Stuic and Càrn a' Choire Bhòidheach, then following a stalkers' path across the flank of the hill and crossing a stream before striking north-west uphill towards the cairns — two are present, with the more southerly being the higher point. A large piece of aircraft wreckage lies just to the north, with further fragments scattered over a wide area of the mountain, adding an unexpected historical note to this otherwise bleak, remote summit.

An alternative, shorter approach starts from Auchallater in Glen Clunie, heading up towards Loch Callater and following the old pony path that skirts round Càrn an t-Sagairt Mòr en route to Lochnagar — a traditional route offering a more direct line to this particular summit for those not wanting the full five-Munro circuit.

From the cairn, the descent continues south-east down to a wide, featureless bealach before the next Munro, Cairn Bannoch — this stretch of the Mounth is truly bleak country, and navigation could be difficult in poor weather given the lack of distinguishing features.

The full White Mounth round taking in 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.

The wide, featureless bealachs connecting these summits demand genuine navigation confidence in poor visibility — full route-finding skills are essential across this exposed plateau, and walkers should avoid attempting the circuit anti-clockwise in a strong north-easterly, since fighting the wind funnelling up from Loch Muick can be soul-destroying.

Parking at Spittal of Glen Muick is chargeable; parking at Auchallater in Glen Clunie is free. There is no direct public transport to either start.