Graham · Central Highlands
Carn na h-Easgainn
Carn na h-Easgainn (617m), the eel cairn, is a broad heathery dome on the moorland east of Inverness, in the NH74 square. The summit is essentially unmarked save for a small mound of stones, and the appeal is the immense view across the Moray Firth, the Black Isle and the eastern Cairngorms. It is one of the closest Grahams to Inverness and a popular evening walk for locals in summer.
Quick facts
- Height
- 617.2m/ 2025ft
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 463 m
- Time
- 3–5 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH743320
- Parking
- NH710276
- Nearest city
- Inverness
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%
From the parking area at NH710276 near Daviot, take the estate track north onto Drumossie Muir, then climb the long heather ridge east to the highest ground. The going is firm where managed, soggy in between. The summit is reached after a final stretch on grouse-moor heather. Allow about three and a half hours for the round trip; the descent retraces the track.
Terrain
Managed grouse-moor heather and short tussocks dominate, with peaty channels filling the dips. The estate track is the simplest route in and out. The summit area is wide and featureless — without the cairn it would be hard to identify the highest point.
In winter
Drumossie Muir catches snow showers off the Moray Firth, and the broad summit drifts thickly in lee hollows. Inversions in the Inverness basin can leave the hill above cloud on otherwise grey winter days. The lack of features makes whiteout navigation surprisingly serious for so close-to-town a Graham.
This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 13m
- Edinburgh3h 12m
OS maps: OS Landranger 27
Mobile signal: Good signal on summit — close to Inverness with strong reception on most networks.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:30
- Sunset
- 21:58
- Civil dawn
- 03:27
- Civil dusk
- 23:01
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Around Carn na h-Easgainn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Inverness station
Highland capital — Cairngorms east side, Affric, Far North via bus/car
15km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Inverness
Highland capital — gateway to Cairngorms, Affric, Far North
15km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Tomatin
Tomatin — large Highland distillery just off the A9, south of Inverness
5km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Carn na h-Easgainn — common questions
- How hard is Carn na h-Easgainn?
- Carn na h-Easgainn is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 12km with 463m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-5 hours. Terrain: Managed grouse-moor heather and short tussocks dominate, with peaty channels filling the dips.
- Where do I park for Carn na h-Easgainn?
- Standard parking is at NH710276 near Inverness. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Carn na h-Easgainn?
- The standard good-weather months for Carn na h-Easgainn are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Carn na h-Easgainn?
- 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 na h-Easgainn?
- Good signal on summit — close to Inverness with strong reception on most networks.
- Is Carn na h-Easgainn safe in winter?
- Drumossie Muir catches snow showers off the Moray Firth, and the broad summit drifts thickly in lee hollows. Inversions in the Inverness basin can leave the hill above cloud on otherwise grey winter days. The lack of features makes whiteout navigation surprisingly serious for so close-to-town a Graham.