Braeriach or Brae Riach (, 'the brindled upland') is the third-highest mountain in Scotland and all of the British Isles, after Ben Nevis and Ben Macdui, rising above sea level. It is in the Scottish Highlands and is the highest point in the western massif of the Cairngorms, separated from the central section by the Lairig Ghru pass. The summit is a crescent-shaped plateau, overlooking several corries. The lingering snows of Braeriach are amongst the most persistent snow patches in Scotland and the whole British Isles. The north-facing corrie of Garbh Coire Mor has been snow-free just nine times in the last one hundred years: 1933, 1959, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2022 – but four times in the six years to 2022. The rate and occurrence of melting appears to be increasing. Probably the most commonly used route up Braeriach starts from Sugar Bowl car park, on the road leading to the Cairn Gorm ski area. From here a path leads over the hillside to a steep-sided rocky ravine known as the Chalamain Gap, before descending around to the Lairig Ghru. After crossing this pass the route heads for the summit via Braeriach's north ridge, crossing a subsidiary peak, Sròn na Lairige. The summit is about from the car park by this route. See also List of Munro mountains Mountains and hills of Scotland References Badenoch and Strathspey Marr Munros Marilyns of Scotland Mountains and hills of the Cairngorms Mountains and hills of Highland (council area) Mountains and hills of Aberdeenshire Places and place names on Mar Lodge Estate One-thousanders of Scotland