Lairig Ghru
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lairig Ghru is a pass in the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland. The pass has a long history, and was for many years used by drovers taking cattle between Deeside and Speyside.
Modern road traffic now travels over the Drumochter Pass via the A9 or The Lecht on the A939, and the Lairig Ghru is left to walkers.
The full route from Aviemore to Braemar is about 43 km, though many walkers cut the walk short by starting or finishing at Linn of Dee, the 8 km from there to Braemar being along a tarmacadamed road.
The highest point of the Lairig Ghru is 838 m high – higher than many British mountain summits. It occurs at a point known as the Pools of Dee (the source of the River Dee), in a narrow glaciated trough between the Braeriach and Ben Macdhui massifs.
One of the many features along the Lairig Ghru is a large stone known as Clach nan Taillear (the "tailors' stone"). According to legend three tailors agreed to meet here one Hogmanay in order to celebrate the new year. A violent storm ensued, and the three drunken men perished.
An alternative route at the north end of the Lairig Ghru is known as the Chalamain Gap. The path, which links the main route to Glen More at the foot of Cairn Gorm, passes through the gap, which is narrow rocky defile between two small peaks.
