An Càrn Liath

Hill, Mountain in Inverness-shire

Scotland

An Càrn Liath

Memorial for Jan Vermeiren Jan Vermeiren, a 25 year old Belgian from Wommelgem, died in a fall of some 200m from the summit of the Storr in July 2013. He was camping here on top of the hill with three friends. It is believed he ran over the edge of the hill while trying to retrieve a piece of equipment that was blowing away. This plaque marks the spot from which he fell.
I&#039;m not a fan of such memorials in wild places - but I understand the motivation to put them there... — Memorial for Jan Vermeiren Credit: John Allan

An Càrn Liath, located in Inverness-shire, is a prominent hill/mountain in the Scottish Highlands. With an elevation of 1,006 meters (3,301 feet), it forms part of the northwest ridge of the famous Cairngorms mountain range. The name "An Càrn Liath" translates to "the grey cairn" in Gaelic, which is a fitting description of its distinctive appearance.

This mountain is a popular destination for hikers, mountaineers, and nature enthusiasts, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Its rugged terrain, characterized by rocky slopes and scree, provides a challenging but rewarding ascent for experienced climbers. The summit of An Càrn Liath presents a stunning vista, showcasing the vast expanse of the Cairngorms National Park and the nearby peaks.

The hill/mountain is known for its diverse flora and fauna, with various species of birds, mammals, and plants inhabiting the area. Ptarmigans, red grouse, golden eagles, and mountain hares are some of the wildlife that can be spotted in this region. During the summer months, the slopes are adorned with colorful alpine flowers, adding to the natural beauty of the landscape.

An Càrn Liath is easily accessible from the nearby town of Aviemore, with several well-marked trails leading to its summit. However, it is essential for visitors to be well-prepared and equipped with appropriate clothing and gear, as the weather conditions can be unpredictable and change rapidly in the Scottish Highlands.

Overall, An Càrn Liath offers a memorable and challenging outdoor experience, combining stunning vistas, rich biodiversity, and a sense of adventure for those who choose to explore its slopes.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

An Càrn Liath Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.523391/-6.1838116 or Grid Reference NG4955. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Memorial for Jan Vermeiren

Jan Vermeiren, a 25 year old Belgian from Wommelgem, died in a fall of some 200m from the summit of the Storr in July 2013. He was camping here on top of the hill with three friends. It is believed he ran over the edge of the hill while trying to retrieve a piece of equipment that was blowing away. This plaque marks the spot from which he fell. I'm not a fan of such memorials in wild places - but I understand the motivation to put them there...

John Allan

Early season snow on The Storr

A day of sunshine and wintry showers on the hills of Trotternish.

John Allan

The Storr

The Storr is made up of numerous lava flows on a base of siltstone and mudstone, making the whole structure unstable. The pinnacles including the Old Man of Storr are rafts of lava that have slipped down the slope.

Anne Burgess

An Storr

A telephoto shot of the Storr from above Oscaig on Raasay. The Old Man of Storr and Needle Rock are visible below and to the right of the summit.

Anne Burgess

'Panorama' to the north-west

A true panorama is 360º, and this is only part of such a view, so not a true panorama. It takes in most of Trotternish and Beinn Tianabhaig on Skye, and the summit of Dùn Caan and the western part of Raasay.

Anne Burgess

The table

A flat area of grass that you come upon unexpectedly in this area of the Trotternish Ridge. It is a little smaller than a typical football pitch and fairly level, most unusual around here.

Malcolm Neal

The Storr

Telephoto shot, showing the summit and the Old Man.

Andy Stephenson

Cliff face on the southeast side of The Storr

Colin Park

Ridge running north from The Storr

Colin Park

Gully close to the summit of the Storr

The hill, in common with much of the rest of the Trotternish Ridge, is geologically active. There are frequent, sometimes very noisy, rock falls. Some of the boulders here look to be destined to drop to Coire Faoin in the fairly near future.

John Allan

Path behind the Old Man of Storr

The path leads round the back of the Old Man and into Coire Faoin, directly under the cliff below the Storr summit.

Rudi Winter

Basalt boulder near Needle Rock

The black rock beside the path to Needle Rock is made from the same basaltic gabbro material as the Old Man, Needle Rock and the other rock features below the Storr escarpment. The basalt layer is a volcanic deposit on top of other, older rocks, whose mechanical stability has suffered from the weight of the deposit, causing a landslip running along the eastern side of the Trotternish peninsula.

Rudi Winter

On the north ridge of the Storr

Looking towards the summit, just clear of the top of the clouds. It's a lovely day up here!

John Allan

Old Man of Storr

Matthew Chadwick

Reflecting on Pinnacles of the Storr

Alan Reid

Photographers above the Old Man of Storr

Visitors gathered on a viewpoint north of the pinnacle.

John Allan

Pinnacles below the Storr

A group of pinnacles in the landslip landscape below the Storr. The largest of them, in the centre of the picture, is the 50m tall Old Man of Storr.

John Allan

Lochan below the Storr

Unnamed - see NG5054 : Unnamed lochan below the Storr. In the background is the Sound of Raasay, with Rona on the left, and Raasay on the right. The Applecross Peninsula is beyond.

Ian Taylor

Show me another place!

An Càrn Liath is located at Grid Ref: NG4955 (Lat: 57.523391, Lng: -6.1838116)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands