Cairnamounth is a crossing route of the Mounth in the Grampian Mountains of Scotland. It has served as an ancient military route at least from Roman times through the 13th century AD.[1] The alignment of the Cairnamounth, Elsick Mounth and Causey Mounth ancient trackways had a strong influence on the medieval siting of many fortifications and other settlements[2] in the area comprised by present day Aberdeenshire on both sides of the River Dee.
In the 11th century AD, Mac Bethad (commonly known as Macbeth) survived the original English invasion, for he was defeated and mortally wounded or killed by Máel Coluim mac Donnchada on the north side of the Mounth in 1057, after retreating with his men over the Cairnamounth Pass to take his last stand at the battle at Lumphanan.[1] The Prophecy of Berchán has it that he was wounded and died at Scone, sixty miles to the south, some days later.[3] Mac Bethad's stepson Lulach mac Gille Coemgáin was installed as king soon after.