Scotland
Carn Leac
883M
2896FT
About Carn Leac
Rising above the historic Corrieyairack Pass, this substantial Grampian mass offers a rugged, pathless experience for those seeking isolation near Fort Augustus. At 882 metres, it dominates the surrounding moorland, providing a high-altitude perspective over the Great Glen and the vast, undulating plateau of the southern Monadhliath.
Key Statistics
Rank
39th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
118.9m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
You are standing on the Auchivarie Psammite Formation. This hard, sandy rock was created as layers of ancient sediment were compressed and transformed over time.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NN406977
Latitude
57.0427°N
Longitude
4.6289°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Càrn Leac, meaning 'Cairn of the Flat Stone' or 'Slabby Hill', likely referring to the scattered, flat rocks found across its higher slopes.
- •It overlooks General Wade’s Military Road, built in the 1730s to link Fort Augustus with Dalwhinnie; the hill serves as a silent sentry over this engineering marvel of the Jacobite era.
- •From the summit, you can look directly across the Great Glen to the prominent peaks of South Glen Shiel and the distinctive profile of Ben Nevis to the south-west.
- •Despite standing at 882 metres, Carn Leac misses out on Munro status by less than 32 metres, ensuring it remains a peaceful alternative to the busier 'bagging' peaks nearby.
- •While the name promises flat stones, the approach usually involves a much more varied collection of deep peat hags and heather, which are rarely as level as the title might suggest.