What difficulty is Carn Mhic an Toisich?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Carn Mhic an Toisich comes in at 4/5 — challenging. Expect roughly 13km and 556m of ascent on the usual route — 4-6 hours for most parties. Underfoot: Hydro track on the lower flank, then thick heather and recurring peat hags on the broad moor.

What is Carn Mhic an Toisich's prominence?

176m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Carn Mhic an Toisich to the next higher ground.

Where do I park for Carn Mhic an Toisich?

Most walkers start from NH280183. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Carn Mhic an Toisich?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Carn Mhic an Toisich. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is Carn Mhic an Toisich dog-friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · Central Highlands

Carn Mhic an Toisich

Carn Mhic an Toisich (678m) — the cairn of Mackintosh's son — rises above the south side of Glen Moriston in NH31 near Invermoriston. It is a sprawling moorland hill on the rolling watershed between the Great Glen and Strathfarrar, with a flat summit cairn looking south to the Affric Munros and north over Loch Ness.

Gaelic: “cairn-topped hill, son of, the” · Pronunciation: karn mhic an toisich

Quick facts

Height: 678.2m/ 2225ft
Prominence: 176 m
Distance: ~13 km
Ascent: ~556 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NH310185
Parking: NH280183
Nearest city: Inverness· 44km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

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Standard route

heather moorland 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%

13km · 556m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Start from the A887 layby east of Bhlaraidh and follow the hydro access track south up the Allt Saigh. Branch off west onto open hill near 400m and climb the heathery shoulder, picking a line between peat hags onto the gentle summit dome. The cairn sits on the highest of several similar bumps so a careful compass approach is required in cloud.

Terrain

Hydro track on the lower flank, then thick heather and recurring peat hags on the broad moor. The summit area has several near-equal bumps and a series of erosion scars that confuse the eye. Pathless throughout above the track.

In winter

Glen Moriston sees moderate snow cover and the south side traps drifts well into spring. The featureless summit plateau is a serious whiteout proposition with no edges to navigate to. Wind chill from southerlies funnelled up the Great Glen is the discomfort to expect.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Carn Mhic an Toisich. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS West Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow3h 0m
Edinburgh3h 19m

Parking: NH280183

OS maps: OS Landranger 34

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Loch Monar area; limited coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 49mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:50
Sunset: 18:21
Civil dawn: 07:11
Civil dusk: 19:00

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Carn Mhic an Toisich on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Roy Bridge station

Glen Roy; Grey Corries (Stob Choire Claurigh, Sgurr Choinnich Mor)

37km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Inverness

Highland capital — gateway to Cairngorms, Affric, Far North

44km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Carn Mhic an Toisich — common questions

What difficulty is Carn Mhic an Toisich?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Carn Mhic an Toisich comes in at 4/5 — challenging. Expect roughly 13km and 556m of ascent on the usual route — 4-6 hours for most parties. Underfoot: Hydro track on the lower flank, then thick heather and recurring peat hags on the broad moor.
What is Carn Mhic an Toisich's prominence?: 176m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Carn Mhic an Toisich to the next higher ground.
Where do I park for Carn Mhic an Toisich?: Most walkers start from NH280183. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Carn Mhic an Toisich?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Carn Mhic an Toisich. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is Carn Mhic an Toisich dog-friendly?: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
Is there mobile signal on Carn Mhic an Toisich?: Poor. Remote Loch Monar area; limited coverage.
Is Carn Mhic an Toisich safe in winter?: Glen Moriston sees moderate snow cover and the south side traps drifts well into spring. The featureless summit plateau is a serious whiteout proposition with no edges to navigate to. Wind chill from southerlies funnelled up the Great Glen is the discomfort to expect.

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