Carn Dearg

About Carn Dearg

Rising above the south shore of Loch Feochan near Oban, this rugged Argyll Marilyn offers an exceptional perspective on the Firth of Lorn. The terrain is characteristic of the West Coast—rough grass and heather punctuated by rocky outcrops—leading to a summit with clear sightlines across to the mountains of Mull.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is Gaelic for 'Red Cairn', likely referring to the reddish hue of the local rock or the way the summit crags catch the evening light over the Atlantic.
• •The summit provides a grandstand view of the Inner Hebrides, specifically the mountainous silhouette of Mull and the lower island of Kerrera guarding Oban’s harbour.
• •Despite its modest height, the hill’s classification as a Marilyn highlights its significant physical prominence above the surrounding low-lying coastal glens of Lorn.
• •The approach from the north-east offers views down toward the Serpent Mound at Loch Nell, a curious prehistoric earthwork situated in the valley below the hill’s eastern slopes.
• •The ascent provides a classic West Coast experience: what looks like a straightforward walk on the map usually involves a tactical battle with thick bracken and deceptive peat hags.