Carn-Achaidh

Hill, Mountain in Sutherland

Scotland

Carn-Achaidh

Minor road beside Strathmore River Looking northward from near to Dún Dornaigil Broch.
Minor road beside Strathmore River Credit: Peter Wood

Carn-Achaidh is a prominent hill located in the county of Sutherland, in the Highlands of Scotland. It is part of the larger mountainous region known as the Northwest Highlands. Standing at an elevation of approximately 783 meters (2,569 feet), it offers magnificent views of the surrounding landscape.

The hill is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain, typical of the Northwest Highlands. Its slopes are covered in heather and grasses, with scattered patches of woodland. The summit of Carn-Achaidh is marked by a cairn, a man-made pile of stones traditionally used as a marker or memorial.

Despite its relatively modest height, Carn-Achaidh attracts hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who are drawn to its challenging terrain and breathtaking vistas. The ascent to the summit can be demanding, requiring some scrambling over rocky sections, but the reward is a panoramic view that stretches for miles.

The hill is also home to a variety of wildlife, including red deer, golden eagles, and ptarmigan, which can be spotted by keen observers. The area surrounding Carn-Achaidh is known for its tranquil beauty, with vast open landscapes and untouched wilderness.

Carn-Achaidh is a popular destination for hillwalkers and offers opportunities for both experienced climbers and casual walkers to explore the stunning Scottish countryside. Its location in the Northwest Highlands makes it an ideal starting point for further exploration of the region's mountains and natural wonders.

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Carn-Achaidh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.364254/-4.6115978 or Grid Reference NC4744. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Minor road beside Strathmore River Looking northward from near to Dún Dornaigil Broch.
Minor road beside Strathmore River
Looking northward from near to Dún Dornaigil Broch.
Minor road near to Dún Dornaigil Broch Looking southward.
Minor road near to Dún Dornaigil Broch
Looking southward.
Minor road heading towards Alltnacaillich Looking southward.
Minor road heading towards Alltnacaillich
Looking southward.
Strath More - Minor road between Alltnacaillich and Muiseal Looking north-westward.
Strath More - Minor road between Alltnacaillich and Muiseal
Looking north-westward.
Rivet benchmark on Dun Dornaigil Broch Ordnance Survey rivet benchmark, described on database at <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm132341" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm132341">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>. See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7063814">NC4545 : Dun Dornaigil and Ben Hope</a>.
Rivet benchmark on Dun Dornaigil Broch
Ordnance Survey rivet benchmark, described on database at LinkExternal link. See also NC4545 : Dun Dornaigil and Ben Hope.
Dun Dornaigil and Ben Hope There is a rivet benchmark on this broch. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7063812">NC4545 : Rivet benchmark on Dun Dornaigil Broch</a>.
Dun Dornaigil and Ben Hope
There is a rivet benchmark on this broch. See NC4545 : Rivet benchmark on Dun Dornaigil Broch.
Dun Dornaigil Broch Beside Strathmore River.
Dun Dornaigil Broch
Beside Strathmore River.
Graveyard at Altnacaillich With the escarpment of Leitir Mhuisel above, and Ben Hope beyond.
Graveyard at Altnacaillich
With the escarpment of Leitir Mhuisel above, and Ben Hope beyond.
Alltnacaillich nestling below Ben Hope Seen from vicinity of Dun Dornaigil Broch.
Alltnacaillich nestling below Ben Hope
Seen from vicinity of Dun Dornaigil Broch.
Waterfall above Alltnacaillich The old route, which I used back in 1967, for Ben Hope started at Alltnacaillich and passed this waterfall at about 200m. It was then a steady climb for 5km to the 927m summit.  Modern walkers start at Muiseal which makes the walk about 2km shorter.
Waterfall above Alltnacaillich
The old route, which I used back in 1967, for Ben Hope started at Alltnacaillich and passed this waterfall at about 200m. It was then a steady climb for 5km to the 927m summit. Modern walkers start at Muiseal which makes the walk about 2km shorter.
Overnight camp beside Dun Dornaigil Broch A campsite for the walk up Ben Hope.  Alltnacaillich is the prominent building in the view.  The tent is a Meade tent as used on Everest by the successful Commonwealth team that first scaled her.
Overnight camp beside Dun Dornaigil Broch
A campsite for the walk up Ben Hope. Alltnacaillich is the prominent building in the view. The tent is a Meade tent as used on Everest by the successful Commonwealth team that first scaled her.
An Iron Age broch in Strath More 2000 years or so ago this broch offered security and shelter from marauding bands of rustlers and thieves.
An Iron Age broch in Strath More
2000 years or so ago this broch offered security and shelter from marauding bands of rustlers and thieves.
An artist's impression This is how it was apparently; the Dun Dornaigil broch.
An artist's impression
This is how it was apparently; the Dun Dornaigil broch.
The Sentry's View A view south along Strath More, showing the relatively flat and fertile lands the broch was doubtless built to protect, and the line of approach of wicked invaders from the south!
The Sentry's View
A view south along Strath More, showing the relatively flat and fertile lands the broch was doubtless built to protect, and the line of approach of wicked invaders from the south!
Dùn Dornaigil Broch On the road between Hope and Altnaharra.
Dùn Dornaigil Broch
On the road between Hope and Altnaharra.
View down Strath More from the Dùn Dornaigil Broch View of Strathmore River and unclassified Altnaharra to Hope road.
View down Strath More from the Dùn Dornaigil Broch
View of Strathmore River and unclassified Altnaharra to Hope road.
Glacial Erratic on the slopes of Ben Hope Glacial Erratic on the slopes of Ben Hope, looking East North East over Loch an Dherue and Creag an Dherue towards Ben Loyal.
It looks for all the world as though someone has placed a small rock under the massive boulder to make sure it was level!
Glacial Erratic on the slopes of Ben Hope
Glacial Erratic on the slopes of Ben Hope, looking East North East over Loch an Dherue and Creag an Dherue towards Ben Loyal. It looks for all the world as though someone has placed a small rock under the massive boulder to make sure it was level!
Dun Dornaigil and information plaque, Strathmore
Dun Dornaigil and information plaque, Strathmore
Show me another place!

Carn-Achaidh is located at Grid Ref: NC4744 (Lat: 58.364254, Lng: -4.6115978)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///huddling.cuddled.shout. Near Altnaharra, Highland

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Carn-Achaidh

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