Cairn O’Mount — Mounth Road Summit Viewpoint

Cairn O’Mount sits at around 1,475 feet on the B974 between Fettercairn and Banchory, one of the few paved crossings of the Grampian Mountains that’s been in use since prehistoric times. Cattle drovers, Jacobite soldiers, and whisky smugglers all came through here. Today it’s a legit high point on a spectacular single-track road with a small cairn, a layby, and views stretching south across the Howe of the Mearns toward the North Sea on a clear day. Busy with cyclists in summer, otherwise quiet.

The road is maintained but narrow, with passing places. Can close in severe winter weather — check before you run it November through March. No facilities at the top, just the cairn and the wind. Pair it with Glen Dye to the north or a run down to Fasque Estate.

Ancient drove road over the Grampians.