The first divisional point for the Canadian Pacific Railway west of Calgary was completed in 1884 and named in honour of King Malcolm III, Canmore, Scotland, who defeated Macbeth and reigned as King of Scots from 1057-1093. The name Canmore was likely chosen by Donald A. Smith, one of the Canadian Pacific Railway pioneers. "Ceann mor" is Gaelic for "Big Head." The Stoney Indian name for Canmore, "too-wup-chinchin-koodibee," (Dempsey) translates as "shooting at a young spruce tree." Young Indian boys practised by shooting at a young tree while camping on the Canmore flats.

Approximately 17 km south-east of Banff.