Scotland
Scaraben
626M
2054FT
About Scaraben
Rising as a distinctive quartzite-capped ridge in the Caithness Flow Country, this Graham stands out for its three pale summits. Its long, boulder-strewn plateau offers a rugged contrast to the nearby conical profile of Morven. The ascent reveals expansive vistas over the Moray Firth and the lonely, peat-covered interior of the far north.
Key Statistics
Rank
93rd Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
331m
Nearest Town
Braemore
Geology
You are walking across the Scaraben Quartzite Formation. This area is made of quartzite, a hard and durable rock that forms the sturdy backbone of the fell.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
ND066268
Latitude
58.2204°N
Longitude
3.5915°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is likely a hybrid of the Old Norse 'skari', meaning a young seagull or sea-bird, and the Gaelic 'beinn', reflecting the Norse-Gaelic heritage of the Caithness landscape.
- •The hill is composed of white Dalradian quartzite; from a distance, even in mid-summer, the sun-bleached stones on its three summits are frequently mistaken for patches of lingering snow.
- •It is most commonly climbed as part of a demanding circuit from the coastal village of Berriedale, often paired with the higher, conical neighbour Morven which dominates the western skyline.
- •On clear days, the summit provides a line of sight across the Moray Firth to the distant peaks of the Cairngorms, as well as a bird's-eye view of the Duke of Portland’s wall, a 19th-century boundary marker stretching across the moorland.
- •Despite being a Graham of modest height, its position in the flat Caithness landscape ensures there is nothing between the summit and the North Sea winds, making it an excellent place to test the structural integrity of your waterproofs.