Carn Dubh

About Carn Dubh

Tucked away on the northern shore of Loch Arkaig near Achnasaul, this rugged Tump offers a quiet, pathless ascent. Its steep, heathery slopes provide a stark contrast to the nearby Munros, rewarding climbers with an earned, unobstructed view across the deep waters of the loch toward the remote peaks of Glen Mallie.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Gaelic Càrn Dubh, which translates as 'Black Cairn' or 'Black Hill', likely referring to the dark appearance of its heather-clad slopes when compared to the greener grazing lands found lower in the glen.
• •The summit offers a specific and dramatic perspective of the long, narrow reach of Loch Arkaig, with the distinctive pointed peak of Gairich dominating the view immediately to the north.
• •While the upper slopes are dominated by peat and heather, the lower flanks near the Achnasaul burn are home to remnants of ancient woodland, forming part of the fragmented western edge of the historic Caledonian Forest.
• •This hill overlooks the historic lands of the Clan Cameron; the remote terrain around Loch Arkaig was famously used as a hiding place for the 'Loch Arkaig Gold', a French subsidy intended for the Jacobite cause that went missing after the 1745 uprising.
• •Despite its modest height, the total lack of any formal trail ensures that you will likely spend more time negotiating thigh-deep heather than you will actually walking.