Scotland
Carn a' Chiaraidh
871M
2858FT
About Carn a' Chiaraidh
Rising above the remote reaches of Glen Tilt, this substantial Grampian mass offers a sense of deep isolation far from the Blair Atholl crowds. The terrain is typical of the Atholl Forest—broad heather slopes and peat hags that reward the walker with a vast perspective across to the Beinn a' Ghlo massif.
Key Statistics
Rank
51st Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
47.6m
Nearest Town
Perth and Kinross
Geology
You are walking over granite and fine-grained, crystal-flecked rock. These were formed when molten magma cooled and hardened deep beneath the earth's surface.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NN878773
Latitude
56.8735°N
Longitude
3.8424°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Gaelic in origin, where Càrn means hill and Chiaraidh is derived from ciar, meaning dusky or dark brown; it is likely a reference to the sombre colour of the heather and peat on its upper slopes.
- •Located deep within the Atholl Forest, the hill requires a long approach via the private tracks of Glen Tilt, a glen famous for its complex geological folding and its historical role in the Scottish struggle for access to the land.
- •The summit offers an excellent vantage point to study the complex topography of the Beinn a' Ghlo range to the southeast and the remote, sprawling plateau leading toward the Tarf Water to the north.
- •Despite reaching a height of 871 metres—comfortably taller than many famous mountains—the hill is classified only as a Tump, ensuring it remains a quiet spot for those who value solitude over official summit-ticking.