Scotland
Carn Duchara
491M
1611FT
About Carn Duchara
Rising above the south of Arran, this rounded moorland Marilyn offers a quieter, lonelier alternative to the island’s jagged northern giants. The terrain is largely pathless and often boggy, rewarding the effort with an expansive perspective across the Firth of Clyde towards Ailsa Craig and the Kintyre Peninsula.
Key Statistics
Rank
104th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Isle of Arran
Prominence
?
338m
Nearest Town
Argyll and Bute
Geology
You are walking over ancient lava flows and volcanic rocks, layered with hardened, carbon-rich mudstone from deep underground.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NM892102
Latitude
56.2381°N
Longitude
5.4019°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'Càrn Dubh-charra', which translates as the 'Cairn of the Black Pillar,' likely referring to a prominent rock feature or standing stone once found on its slopes.
- •Standing as the highest point of the southern half of the island, it provides a unique 'profile' view of the northern Arran skyline, illustrating the dramatic geological shift across the Highland Boundary Fault.
- •Most walkers approach the summit from the high point of the Ross road to the north, though the lack of a defined trail means navigating a landscape of thick heather and frequent peat hags.
- •A successful ascent usually requires either a remarkably long dry spell or a philosophical attitude towards damp socks, as the surrounding ground is famously uncooperative.