Cairn Gorm

Cairn Gorm (Cairngorm) (Scottish Gaelic: An Càrn Gorm, meaning The Blue Hill) is a mountain in the Scottish Highlands overlooking Strathspey and the town of Aviemore. Cairn Gorm has a summit elevation of 1,245 metres (4,084 feet) AMSL and is the seventh-highest mountain in both the United Kingdom and the British Isles. The domed summit of Cairn Gorm is one of the most readily identifiable mountains in the view from Aviemore and gives its name to the mountain range and the National Park of which it is a part, The Cairngorms, despite that it is neither the highest nor the most prominent mountain in the range. The mountain range was historically known as Am Monadh Ruadh (the Red Hills) rather than the Cairngorms (the Blue Hills).

Cairn Gorm
An Càrn Gorm
Cairn Gorm from across Coire an t-Sneachda
Highest point
Elevation	1,245 m (4,085 ft) [1]
Prominence	146 m (479 ft)
Parent peak	Ben Macdui
Isolation	4.47 km (2.78 miles) [2]
Listing	Munro
Naming
English translation	The Blue Hill
Language of name	Gaelic
Pronunciation	Scottish Gaelic: [əŋ ˈkʰaːrˠn̪ˠ ˈkɔɾɔm]
Geography
Location	Cairngorms, Scotland
OS grid	NJ005040
Topo map	OS Landranger 36
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

Listed summits of Cairn Gorm
Name	Grid ref	Height	Status
Cairn Lochan	NH985025	1215	Munro Top
Stob Coire an t-Sneachda	NH996029	1176	Munro Top
Cnap Coire na Spreidhe	NJ013049	1150	Munro Top
Creag an Leth-choin	NH968033	1053	Munro Top

600 hectares (6 square km or 2.3 square miles) of the north-western slopes of the mountain in Coire Cas and Coire na Ciste have, since the 1960s, been developed for alpine skiing. In 2001 a funicular railway was constructed to provide access through Coire Cas to the Ptarmigan building at 1087 m.

The corrie south of Coire Cas, Coire an t-Sneachda, is separated from the ski area by a ridge known as Fiacaill a' Choire Chais. The southern slopes of Cairn Gorm overlook the remote Loch Avon (pronounced Loch A'an).

There is an automated weather station (AWS) controlled by Heriot-Watt University on the summit of the mountain[3] providing temperature and wind speed data. There is also a separate AWS run by the Met Office (synop code 03065).

Hiking and climbing

In clear, calm weather, the ascent of Cairn Gorm is a straightforward hike via the alpine ski area on the northern slopes. But when the mountain is stormbound, particularly in winter during blizzard and high avalanche risk conditions, any ascent or descent can be potentially lethal - particularly during white-outs when it is easy to lose one's bearings near the barren, featureless summit which is ringed in many directions by precipitous drops. In common with all the highest Cairngorm summits, ascents during winter conditions (which can and usually do extend well into springtime) will often require good navigation skills and winter climbing equipment such as crampons and ice-axes. The Windy Ridge path on Sròn an Aonaich lying to the northeast of Coire Cas is a steep and direct route, and is generally recommended by local Rangers, guides and guidebooks.[4] Another route to the summit is the access road up the centre of Coire Cas, however this route is a track used by the railway operator's vehicles, and gives an indirect route with several steep sections. It is not recommended as an ascent route, especially during the skiing season, though it gives good views of the Cairngorm Mountain Railway in its lower sections. Also in Coire Cas, Fiacaill a' Choire Chais offers a good walking route to Cairn Gorm and the adjacent plateau. A circuit of the cliff tops overlooking the Northern Corries of Cairn Gorm is highly recommended in many guide books and publications, giving one of the finest views in Scotland.[5] Walkers are advised to consult the local map[6] and call in at the Ranger Base at the car park.

There are many climbing routes at the head of Coire an t-Sneachda[7] and Coire an Lochain,[8] and in winter these corries form one of Scotland's major ice climbing areas.

1971 disaster

On 21–22 November 1971, five pupils from Ainslie Park High School in Edinburgh and a trainee instructor from Newcastle-under-Lyme died in a blizzard at Feith Buidhe on the Cairn Gorm plateau.[9] It stands as the UK's worst mountaineering disaster.[10]

Cairngorm Mountain ski resort

Cairngorm Mountain
Cairngorm Mountain base station in June 2008
Location	Carn Gorm, Aviemore Highland, Scotland United Kingdom
Nearest major city	Inverness - 40 mi. (65 km)
Vertical	500 m
Top elevation	1145 m
Base elevation	645 m Base Station
Runs	35 - 11 easier - 10 intermediate - 11 difficult - 3 very difficult
Lift system	14 - 1 railway (120 person) - 2 doubles (mothballed) - 11 surface
Snowmaking	4 TechnoAlpin T40, 1 TechnoAlpin TF10, 8 TechnoAlpin TR8, 1 TechnoAlpin double decker Snow Factory
Night skiing	occasional
Website	CairnGorm Mountain

History

The ski resort was developed on Cairn Gorm from 1960 onwards. A chairlift and chalet opened in December 1961.[11] It is the second largest in Scotland (after Glenshee). By the 1980s, thousands of skiers were using the resort on busy weekends, and the slopes could become very crowded.[12]

By the 2000s, the number of skiers at Cairngorm and Scotland's other ski areas had dropped, partly as a consequence of budget airline travel making access to the Alps easier.[13] The impact of Global Warming also emerged as a threat to the financial viability of the Scottish ski industry, with Adam Watson predicting in 2004 that there would be no more than twenty years left for the industry.[14]

Snow lie and weather conditions are unpredictable, but the winters of 2005–2006, 2008–2009, 2009–2010 and 2010-2011 had excellent snow cover and ski conditions. Winter sports usage has recovered significantly resulting in improved finances for the ski area.

In 2011–12 the resort was able to trial a TechnoAlpin T40 snow cannon, and in 2012–13 three more were leased from the manufacturers with an option to purchase.[15] A larger TF10 cannon was added for the 2013–14 season[16]

Funicular controversy

The funicular track

By 1990, much of the resort's original infrastructure was ageing and proving increasingly difficult to maintain. The chairlifts and tows were also susceptible to the high winds to which the mountain is prone, and were frequently forced to shut in winds above 25 mph (40 km/h). The Cairngorm Chairlift Company, who operated the resort, proposed removing the chairlift and replacing it with a funicular railway.

There was strong opposition to the funicular from environmental groups, who were concerned about damage to the mountain and its fragile soils and plants. The eventual compromise reached, after negotiations with Scottish Natural Heritage, allowed the Cairngorm Mountain Railway to be built, but with restrictions on its usage. Only those engaging in snow sports, or spectating, are allowed to exit from the top station. Other users can visit the restaurant and visitor centre, but are prevented from leaving the building to start a walk.

Funicular railway cars passing halfway up.

Further controversy mired the building project, with budget over-runs, allegations of conflicts of interest by those connected to both Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the construction company and questions raised about the use of public money. The construction was estimated to have cost around £19.6 million, mostly funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), a government body. £2.7 million was provided by the European Union. The funicular opened in December 2001[17]

Improved snow conditions in recent winters has increased its use by snowsports, according to Cairngorm Mountain Ltd but it is commercially dependent on other users. Recent good snow conditions helped the company record a profit of £736,031 for the year ending 31 March 2010, HIE is interested in selling the resort.[18] There are also groups campaigning to remove the restriction on walkers leaving the top station. In April 2014 Natural Retreats was chosen by HIE as the new operator of Cairngorm Mountain Ltd.[19]

Climate

Cairn Gorm has a tundra climate (Köppen ET) climate. The Met Office weather station only publishes temperature and frost data. Winter temperatures are not extreme when compared with other stations' record low temperatures in the UK, but the severity of the climate is illustrated by its cool summers. Cairn Gorm averages 194.4 frost days per annum, making it the coldest weather station in the United Kingdom[20]

The highest temperature since 1985 is 25.5 °C (77.9 °F), recorded on 23 May 1989.[21] Conversely, the coldest temperature is −26.9 °C (−16.4 °F) on 6 March 2007.[22] Daytime temperatures staying below 0 °C (32 °F) all day occur most frequently between October and May but have been observed during every month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures below −10 °C (14 °F) and night-time temperature above 15 °C (59 °F) are uncommon. However, the highest minimum temperature on record was 20.8 °C (69.4 °F) on 4 July 2004.[23] Whereas, the lowest daytime maximum was −12.7 °C (9.1 °F) on 28 February 2018.[24] The Foehn wind can affect the area, particularly so during late autumn and winter. This phenomenon resulted in the November record high.[25]

The warmest month on record is July 2006, with a mean temperature of 9.9 °C (49.8 °F).[26] Conversely, the coldest month on record is March 2013, with a mean temperature of −6.7 °C (19.9 °F).[27]

Climate data for Cairn Gorm Summit, Elevation: 1,245 m (4,085 ft) (1981–2010)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	13.3 (55.9)	15.2 (59.4)	14.6 (58.3)	20.2 (68.4)	25.5 (77.9)	22.0 (71.6)	22.5 (72.5)	21.7 (71.1)	18.4 (65.1)	14.2 (57.6)	18.8 (65.8)	16.4 (61.5)	25.5 (77.9)
Average high °C (°F)	−1.3 (29.7)	−1.5 (29.3)	−0.9 (30.4)	1.5 (34.7)	4.3 (39.7)	7.1 (44.8)	9.5 (49.1)	9.2 (48.6)	6.9 (44.4)	3.9 (39.0)	0.8 (33.4)	−0.5 (31.1)	3.3 (37.9)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−3.4 (25.9)	−3.8 (25.2)	−3.0 (26.6)	−1.0 (30.2)	1.7 (35.1)	4.4 (39.9)	6.9 (44.4)	6.6 (43.9)	4.5 (40.1)	1.6 (34.9)	−1.3 (29.7)	−2.8 (27.0)	0.9 (33.6)
Average low °C (°F)	−5.5 (22.1)	−6.1 (21.0)	−5.0 (23.0)	−3.4 (25.9)	−0.9 (30.4)	1.7 (35.1)	4.2 (39.6)	3.9 (39.0)	2.1 (35.8)	−0.7 (30.7)	−3.3 (26.1)	−5.1 (22.8)	−1.5 (29.3)
Record low °C (°F)	−14.7 (5.5)	−17.0 (1.4)	−26.9 (−16.4)	−12.7 (9.1)	−7.4 (18.7)	−11.8 (10.8)	−9.4 (15.1)	−3.5 (25.7)	−4.5 (23.9)	−17.8 (0.0)	−15.7 (3.7)	−18.6 (−1.5)	−26.9 (−16.4)
Average snowfall cm (inches)	57 (22)	62 (24)	49 (19)	43 (17)	17 (6.7)	3 (1.2)	trace	0 (0)	trace	9 (3.5)	36 (14)	47 (19)	323 (126.4)
Average rainy days	1.8	1.3	1.2	3.4	8.6	14.9	16.6	16.6	12.2	9.8	4.1	2.6	93.1
Average snowy days	15.6	15.5	14.7	13.1	8.2	2.6	0.2	0.0	0.8	4.8	11.2	14.0	40.9
Source: Met Office,[28] Tutiempo.net,[29] and snowforecast.com [30]

Dates of temperature records[31]
Month	Maximum temperatures			Minimum temperatures
	°C	°F	Year	°C	°F	Date
January	13.3	55.9	2013	−14.7	5.5	1987
February	15.2	59.4	2009	−17.0	1.4	1991 and 2018
March	14.6	58.3	2012	−26.9	−16.4	2007
April	20.2	68.4	2012	−12.7	9.1	1998
May	25.5	77.9	1989	−7.4	18.7	2012
June	22.0	71.6	2006	−11.8	10.8	2015
July	22.5	72.5	2004	−9.4	15.1	2007
August	21.7	71.1	2003	−3.5	25.7	1993
September	18.4	65.1	2003	−4.5	23.9	2003
October	14.2	57.6	2015	−17.8	0.0	2003
November	18.8	65.8	2005	−15.7	3.7	1985
December	16.4	61.5	2005	−18.6	−1.5	1986

Wildlife

The mountain is home to a number of bird species, including dotterel and ring ouzel (in the spring and summer) and snow bunting and ptarmigan (also known as rock ptarmigan) (all year round). Mammals inhabiting the mountain include mountain hare and red deer. Wildflowers found on the mountain include dwarf cornel, cloudberry and butterwort. For many of these species of flora and fauna, Cairn Gorm is one of their key strongholds.[32]

Cairn Gorm Locomotive

A locomotive operated by Caledonian Sleeper, a train operator that offers sleeper trains from London Euston to Scotland. The locomotive is the only Class 67 locomotive to be operated by Caledonian Sleeper. The locomotive is the subject of a Hornby model with TTS Sound, in 00 Gauge.

References

1. "Cairn Gorm". Hill Bagging - the online version of the Database of British and Irish Hills (DoBIH). 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
2. "Cairn Gorm isolation".
3. "Cairn Gorm Weather Station". Heriot-Watt University. Dept. of Physics. Retrieved 17 March 2008.
4. "Cairn Gorm and the northern corries - Route Map".
5. Adam Watson. The Cairngorms, Scottish Mountaineering Trust
6. Ordnance Survey. 1:50,000 scale. Sheet 36. Grantown and Cairngorm.
7. "Coire an t'Sneachda".
8. "Coire an Lochain (Cairngorm)".
9. "Cairngorm Disaster 1971 - Scottish Saltire Branch - Aircrew Association". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
10. Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Association. 1988. Friends in High Places. ed Cliff, Peter.
11. "End of the trudge up Cairngorm. Official Opening of Chair-lift". The Glasgow Herald. 25 December 1961. p. 8. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
12. "Cairngorm ski expansion starts Battle of Lurcher's Gully". The Glasgow Herald. 7 April 1980. p. 7. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
13. "Going downhill". The Scotsman. 12 December 2006. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
14. Seenan, Gerard (14 February 2004). "Global warming forces sale of Scottish winter sports resorts". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
15. "Technoalpin continue business in Scotland " TechnoAlpin. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
16. "Key facts on the Cairngorm ski resort". The Scotsman. 1 December 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
17. Grant, Christine (24 December 2001). "Cairngorm funicular railway opens at last". The Scotsman. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
18. Ross, John (6 September 2005). "Summit for sale as HIE prepares to part with Cairn Gorm". The Scotsman. Retrieved 23 November 2006.
19. "CairnGorm Mountain's new operator confirmed as Natural Retreats UK". BBC News. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
20. "Cairn Gorm Summit climate". Met Office. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
21. https://en.tutiempo.net/climate/05-1989/ws-30650.html
22. https://en.tutiempo.net/climate/03-2007/ws-30650.html
23. https://en.tutiempo.net/climate/07-2004/ws-30650.html
24. https://en.tutiempo.net/climate/2018/ws-30650.html
25. https://en.tutiempo.net/climate/11-2005/ws-30650.html
26. https://en.tutiempo.net/climate/07-2006/ws-30650.html
27. https://en.tutiempo.net/climate/03-2013/ws-30650.html
28. "Cairn Gorm Summit climate". Met Office. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
29. "Cairn Gorm Summit temperature records". Tutiempo.net. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
30. "Cairn Gorm Summit averages". Retrieved 9 January 2020.
31. https://en.tutiempo.net/climate/ws-30650.html
32. See, for example, Lee Evans, Ultimate Site Guide to Scarcer British Birds (1996).

External links

• Computer generated summit panoramas North South here
• Cairn Gorm Weather Station
• CairnGorm Mountain Ltd.