Scotland
Carn a' Ghaill
211M
692FT
About Carn a' Ghaill
Rising as the highest point on the island of Canna, this modest Marilyn offers a classic Hebridean experience. The ascent over terraced basalt turf is straightforward, rewarding walkers with an immense perspective of the Rum Cuillin's jagged skyline and the long silhouette of the Outer Hebrides across the Minch.
Key Statistics
Rank
410th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Isle of Skye
Prominence
?
211m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
You are walking across ancient layers of solidified lava. This dark volcanic rock is often speckled with small, pale crystals that formed as the flows cooled.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG263064
Latitude
57.0675°N
Longitude
6.5158°W
Did You Know?
- •The name translates from Scottish Gaelic as the 'Cairn of the Stranger'. This 'stranger' likely refers to the Norse settlers who occupied the Small Isles during the Viking Age.
- •The hill and the surrounding island were gifted to the National Trust for Scotland by John Lorne Campbell, a renowned scholar who dedicated his life to documenting Gaelic oral traditions.
- •From the summit trig pillar, the view south is dominated by the massive, dark peaks of Askival and Ainshval on the neighbouring island of Rum.
- •The northern slopes of the hill terminate in the dramatic basalt cliffs of Beinn Bhuidhe, which provide important nesting sites for seabirds and golden eagles.
- •At just 211 metres, the climb won't break any records, but the real challenge is often the ferry journey across the Minch, which can turn the sturdiest hillwalker into a dedicated land-lubber.