Scotland
Carn Etchachan
1119M
3673FT
About Carn Etchachan
Perched high above the dramatic, dark waters of Loch Etchachan, this Munro Top is a rugged satellite of Ben Macdui. The summit offers a spectacular vantage point over the steep granite crags of the Etchachan basin and across to the distinctive granite tors crowning the summit of neighbouring Beinn Mheadhoin.
Key Statistics
Rank
34th Highest in The Cairngorms
Parent Range
The Cairngorms
Prominence
?
25m
Nearest Town
Aberdeenshire
Geology
Carn Etchachan is built from solid granite and fine-grained, speckled rock. These sturdy foundations formed deep underground as magma cooled to create the rugged mountain terrain.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NJ003008
Latitude
57.0874°N
Longitude
3.6467°W
Did You Know?
- •Derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'Càrn Eiteachan', the name translates as the 'cairn of the little ugly (or frightful) one'. This is thought to refer to the brooding nature of the loch and the intimidating crags that drop away from the summit's eastern edge.
- •Though it stands at a formidable 1,119 metres, it is classified as a Munro Top rather than a full Munro because it lacks sufficient topographical prominence from its parent peak, Ben Macdui, which sits just over a kilometre to the southwest.
- •The hill provides the best aerial perspective of Loch Etchachan. At 927 metres above sea level, this is the highest body of water of any significant size in the United Kingdom, often remaining frozen well into the spring months.
- •Looking north-east across the deep basin, the skyline is dominated by the massive granite tors of Beinn Mheadhoin, known as the Barns of Mheadhoin, which appear like ruined castles against the high plateau.
- •In a classic Cairngorm 'whiteout', the summit cairn frequently serves as a very brief, confusing landmark for walkers who are technically lost but moving with great purpose toward Ben Macdui.