Ben Macdui
Mountain Second-highest Scottish mountain in the Cairngorms
Second only to Ben Nevis in height, Ben Macdui dominates the Cairngorm plateau with tundra plateaus, steep corries and long ridge walks. Hikers pursue summit vistas, winter scrambles and remote highland routes.
Ben Macdui is a major mountain in the Cairngorms of northeastern Scotland and the second-highest summit in the United Kingdom at 1,309 metres. It forms the highest point of the Cairngorm plateau and is a prominent Munro.
The summit area is a broad, high plateau rather than a narrow peak, and approaches commonly involve long walks over upland terrain. Hikers and mountaineers use routes from the Coire Cas/Cairn Gorm side or from Glenmore and the Lairig Ghru, with weather and snow making conditions challenging outside summer.
Formed from ancient metamorphic rocks and shaped by glacial action, the Cairngorm plateau including Ben Macdui has long been a focus for Scottish hillwalking and scientific interest in arctic-alpine ecology. The mountain is included on Munro lists and is a frequent objective for experienced walkers.
Ben Macdui lies within Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands, in the historic region of Badenoch and Strathspey, north of Aviemore and accessible from several mountain car parks and walking trails.
- Elevation: Elevation is 1,309 metres, making it the second highest mountain in the United Kingdom and the highest summit in the Cairngorms massif.
- Routes: Common ascent routes start from the Coire Cas area near the Cairn Gorm ski centre and from Glenmore to the south, both requiring mountain equipment in winter conditions.
Tips for Visiting Ben Macdui #
- Start very early in the day: weather on Ben Macdui and the Cairngorm plateau changes rapidly, so an early start improves your chance of sustained visibility and safer walking.
- Treat the summit plateau as a navigation challenge-whiteout and sudden wind can make even obvious routes indistinct; carry and know how to use a map and compass (or hire a local guide) rather than relying solely on GPS or cairns.
- Plan for a full-day outing and check recent conditions from the Cairngorms National Park or mountain rescue bulletins beforehand; even in summer sections can be boggy and route-finding slow, so allow extra time.
Best Time to Visit Ben Macdui #
Best in summer (June-September) for safer, less snowy conditions and easier access to routes.
Weather & Climate near Ben Macdui #
Ben Macdui's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -5°C to 12°C. Heavy rainfall (2492 mm/year), wettest in January.
January
January is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (308 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Heavy rain (209 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C. Heavy rain (238 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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April
April is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (144 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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June
June is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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July
July is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (135 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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August
August is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (159 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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September
September is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Heavy rain (214 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (270 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Heavy rain (266 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C. Heavy rain (269 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
