Rough Naze

Sitting as a rugged shoulder on the western flank of the Carsphairn Hills, this 529-metre top offers a quieter perspective on the Water of Ken valley. It is typical Southern Upland terrain—broad, grassy, and potentially soft underfoot—serving as a logical waypoint for those approaching Cairnsmore of Carsphairn from the south.

• •The name 'Naze' likely derives from the Old English 'næss' or Old Norse 'nes', meaning a nose or headland, describing the hill's appearance as a prominent spur projecting into the valley below.
• •Hillwalkers often cross Rough Naze when following the long south-western ridge leading toward the much higher summit of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn, a route that avoids the steeper southern faces.
• •The summit provides an excellent vantage point over the Glenkens, with the Kendoon and Carsfad reservoirs visible to the south along the course of the Water of Ken.
• •In the Southern Uplands, the prefix 'Rough' is generally less of a descriptive name and more of a helpful warning regarding the likely state of your ankles by the time you descend.