Cairngorm Mountains

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Granite mountain group in Scotland, northern part of the Grampian Mountains, between the River Dee and the upper Spey. The central range includes four out of five of Britain's highest mountains: Ben Macdhui (1,309 m/4,296 ft), Braeriach (1,296 m/4,251 ft), Cairn Toul (1,291 m/4,235 ft), and Cairn Gorm (1,245 m/4,084 ft). Cairn Gorm can be accessed by chair-lift.

The winter snowfall is heavy, and winds are higher than normally encountered in mountain ranges on the exposed and extensive plateau. Mountaineering, rock- and snow-climbing, skiing, deer hunting, grouse shooting, and angling are popular. Large herds of red deer are found in the hills, as are Britain's only herd of reindeer. The Ptarmigan restaurant near the summit of Cairn Gorm is Britain's highest restaurant.

Red, white, and blue recall the French tricolour. Red, yellow, and green are the pan-African colours. Red represents the common blood of mankind which links African and European nations. Effective date: 1 December 1958. >>