Cairngorms [key], group of mountains forming part of the Grampian Mts, in Highland, Moray, and Aberdeenshire, central Scotland, between the Dee and the upper Spey rivers; they rise to c.4,300 ft (1,310 m). The name cairngorm is given to an ornamental yellow or brown quartz found in the mountains. The group includes the peaks Ben Macdui, Braeriach, Cairn Toul, and Cairn Gorm. A winter sports industry centered in the town of Aviemore has developed since World War II. The Cairngorms National Park, 1,466 sq mi (3,797 sq km), est. 2003, includes the mountains and surrounding areas and is the largest national park in Great Britain and one of the largest in Europe.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: British and Irish Physical Geography
