Mount Keen
Mountain Scottish Munro, most easterly mountain over 3,000ft
Easternmost Munro on the Mounth; popular with hillwalkers for straightforward routes across heath and good access from nearby glens.
Mount Keen is a mountain in eastern Scotland with a summit at 939 m (3,081 ft) and is noted as the most easterly Munro. It is popular with walkers due to its relative accessibility and defined paths.
The ascent routes are straightforward by hillwalking standards and are commonly started from Glen Tanar or Glen Mark; seasonal conditions can make it a year-round objective for equipped walkers. The summit provides wide views across the surrounding Mounth hills on clear days.
The peak is classified as a Munro, the Scottish list of mountains over 3,000 feet, and has long been part of recreational hillwalking in the region. It is primarily a natural upland hill used for walking and sheep grazing rather than for technical mountaineering.
It lies on the boundary area between Aberdeenshire and Angus in eastern Scotland within the Mounth range of hills, making it accessible from several nearby glens and estates.
- Elevation: Summit altitude of 939 m (3,081 ft).
- Munro status: The most easterly mountain in Scotland that qualifies as a Munro, making it a popular target for Munro baggers and hillwalkers.
- Typical routes: Common ascent routes start from Glen Tanar and Glen Mark with waymarked paths and estate tracks for much of the approach.
How to Get to Mount Keen #
Common approaches start from Glen Tanar (near Aboyne) or from the car park at the B966 Braemar-Banchory road. By car, Glen Tanar is about 45 minutes from Aberdeen. Public transport is limited; combine buses to Aboyne or Ballater with a taxi for the final leg.
Tips for Visiting Mount Keen #
- Start from Glen Tanar or from the B966 approach for the most straightforward routes-both are noted on local Ordnance Survey maps.
- Be prepared for boggy ground after rain; route-finding skills are handy on the eastern slopes.
- Early summer wildflowers and heather are particularly good-late July sees the moors in bloom.
Best Time to Visit Mount Keen #
Best from late spring through early autumn for accessible walking conditions and longer daylight; winter uses require mountaineering experience.
Weather & Climate near Mount Keen #
Mount Keen's climate is classified as Subpolar Oceanic - Subpolar Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -4°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1533 mm/year), wettest in January.
January
January is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (187 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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August
August is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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September
September is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (171 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (160 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (159 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
