Carn Loch nan Eilean [Leac an Tuadh]

Rising above the remote northern shores of Loch Monar, this rugged Tump offers a masterclass in pathless, heathery terrain. It sits deep within the wild Monar Forest, providing a secluded vantage point over the massive northern corries of the Strathfarrar Munros and the sprawling, island-dotted waters of the glen below.

• •The name derives from the Scottish Gaelic Càrn Loch nan Eilean, meaning 'Cairn of the Loch of the Islands', which refers to the small, island-dotted lochan nestled on its eastern flank at an elevation of nearly 500 metres.
• •From the summit, the view is dominated by the formidable bulk of Sgurr na Lapaich to the south and the remote, craggy peaks of the Mullardoch range rising across the water.
• •The alternative name, Leac an Tuadh, translates as 'Slab of the North' or 'Slab of the Axe', likely referring to its position as a distinctive northern shoulder of the higher ground surrounding Glen Strathfarrar.
• •Ascending this hill is as much a test of waterproof membranes as it is of fitness, as the approach from the Monar dam requires negotiating a labyrinth of peat hags and saturated run-offs.