Scotland
Carn a' Chaochain
707M
2318FT
About Carn a' Chaochain
Rising above the Great Glen north of Fort Augustus, this Graham offers a broad, heather-clad plateau characteristic of the Highlands. The ascent through rough moorland and peat hags is rewarded by a sprawling summit vista that takes in the silver expanse of Loch Ness and the distant, jagged ridges of Glen Shiel.
Key Statistics
Rank
104th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
270m
Nearest Town
Fort Augustus
Geology
You are hiking across the Tarvie Psammite Formation. This ground is made of ancient sand and mud that have hardened into exceptionally tough, durable rock.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NH235177
Latitude
57.2159°N
Longitude
4.9245°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Gaelic in origin, with Càrn a' Chaochain translating as 'Cairn of the Streamlet'. A caochan typically refers to a small, slender burn or a stream that gurgles through the heather, a feature common on these high, peaty slopes.
- •Standing at the summit provides a unique vantage point over the Great Glen fault; looking east, the prominent dome of Meall Fuar-mhonaidh dominates the skyline on the far side of Loch Ness.
- •To the west, the view opens up toward the North West Highlands, where the distinctive profiles of the Glen Affric peaks and the high ridges above Glen Moriston form a rugged horizon.
- •Navigating the summit plateau in low visibility is less a feat of climbing and more a strategic negotiation with the local topography of exceptionally deep, black peat hags.