Scotland
Creachan Thormaid
606M
1987FT
About Creachan Thormaid
Rising above the remote landscapes of the Reay Forest in the far North West Highlands, this rugged 600-metre hill offers a classic Sutherland experience. Its heathery slopes and rocky outcrops provide a grandstand view over Loch Stack, while the intimidating quartzite profiles of Foinaven and Arkle dominate the northern skyline.
Key Statistics
Rank
101st Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
51.3m
Nearest Town
Achfary
Geology
The path beneath your boots is part of the Altnaharra Formation. It consists of psammite, a durable rock formed from ancient, compressed layers of sand.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NC345438
Latitude
58.3515°N
Longitude
4.8289°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Creachan Thormaid, which translates as 'Norman's rocky hill-top,' with Thormaid being the Gaelic form of the Old Norse name Thormodr, a linguistic relic of the Viking influence in Northern Scotland.
- •From the summit, the view south-west over Loch Laxford toward the Atlantic is particularly striking, showcasing the complex, jagged coastline of Eddrachillis Bay.
- •The hill sits within a landscape dominated by Lewisian Gneiss, some of the oldest rock in the world, which creates the distinctive, labyrinthine 'cnoc and lochan' terrain surrounding the base of the peak.
- •For hill-baggers preoccupied with the 2,000-foot threshold, this summit is a study in frustration, falling short of the mark by less than four metres despite feeling every bit as wild and remote as its larger neighbours.