Carn Dearg

About Carn Dearg

Rising above the Blackwater Reservoir near Kinlochleven, this Corbett offers a rugged, often pathless alternative to the neighbouring Mamores. It is a hill of heather and solitude, providing a wild sanctuary with distinctive views across the vast reservoir and towards the sharp, dark silhouettes of the Glencoe peaks.

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Did You Know?

• •The name originates from the Scottish Gaelic 'Càrn Dearg', meaning 'red cairn', which likely refers to the way the granite scree or the heathery slopes glow in the evening light.
• •The hill is inextricably linked to the industrial heritage of the area; the approach often follows the conduit or the pipeline paths built to service the Blackwater Dam, once the longest dam in Europe.
• •From the summit, there is a clear and direct view of the sharp, pyramid-like profile of Binnein Mòr to the north and the sprawling expanse of the Blackwater Reservoir stretching east into the wilderness.
• •The terrain is notably quieter than the nearby Munros, lacking a single worn path and requiring hikers to find their own line through the undulating, boggy ground near the summit plateau.
• •Because 'Càrn Dearg' is one of the most common mountain names in Scotland, you should be prepared for a long conversation clarifying exactly which 'Red Cairn' you actually stood upon.