Scotland
Carnan Cruithneachd
728M
2388FT
About Carnan Cruithneachd
Rising steeply above the head of Loch Duich, this rugged Graham offers a quieter alternative to the crowded Munros of Kintail. Its rocky slopes provide a grandstand view of the Five Sisters and the nearby Falls of Glomach, making it a rewarding objective for walkers seeking solitude and a manageable Highland challenge.
Key Statistics
Rank
99th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
220m
Nearest Town
Kyle of Lochalsh
Geology
You’re walking on ancient, hardened layers of mud and sand. These foundations are occasionally streaked with veins of coarse, crystalline rock.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG994258
Latitude
57.2787°N
Longitude
5.3294°W
Did You Know?
- •The name translates from Scottish Gaelic as the 'Little Cairn of the Picts.' It is one of the few hills in the Highlands to explicitly reference the Pictish people in its name, though the specific historical event that earned this title is lost to time.
- •The summit is a renowned vantage point for studying the complex topography of the Kintail peaks, offering a direct line of sight to the massive northern corries of Beinn Fhada and the jagged ridge of Sgùrr nan Saighead.
- •Many walkers combine the ascent with a visit to the nearby Falls of Glomach, one of Britain's highest waterfalls, which drops 113 metres into a narrow, dark gorge just to the north of the hill.
- •The approach from Morvich via the Bealach na Sròine is the most popular route, following an old pony track that once served as a vital link between the glens before modern roads were established.
- •Despite the name suggesting a 'little cairn,' the climb from sea level involves over 700 metres of sustained ascent, proving that Gaelic diminutives are often a matter of comparison rather than a comment on the physical effort required.