Scotland
Carn na Cailliche
404M
1325FT
About Carn na Cailliche
Rising above the Spey Valley near Grantown, this modest Grampian height offers a quiet alternative to the loftier Cairngorms nearby. Though only 404 metres, its position provides clear perspectives over the winding River Spey and towards the sprawling Cromdale Hills. Expect typical heather moorland and a sense of solitary, low-level exploration.
Key Statistics
Rank
480th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
136m
Nearest Town
Moray
Geology
You are walking across the Nethybridge Psammite Formation. This durable rock was originally layers of sand that were compressed and transformed into a hard, stone-like foundation.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NJ187474
Latitude
57.5095°N
Longitude
3.3586°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Gaelic for 'Cairn of the Old Woman' or 'Hag’s Hill'. In Highland folklore, the Cailleach is a powerful divine figure often associated with the creation of the landscape and the seasonal shift into winter.
- •From the summit, there are clear views across the strath to the Hills of Cromdale, a long, distinctive ridge known for the 1690 battle that marked a significant moment in Jacobite history.
- •Its classification as a Hump—a hill with a drop of at least 100 metres on all sides—ensures that despite its modest stature, it remains a distinct and prominent landmark within the local terrain.
- •Despite being named after a legendary old woman who supposedly shaped the Scottish mountains, this particular hill is a gentle, rounded heathery top that requires very little mythical effort to summit.