Graham · Cairngorms
Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan
Quiet Graham in the Findhorn hills north of the Cairngorms. Long approaches and rolling moorland make this one for solitude-seekers, with red grouse and golden plover for company on the way to the cairn of the three lairds.
Quick facts
- Height
- 614.8m/ 2017ft
- Prominence
- 333 m
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 500 m
- Time
- 3–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH823390
- Parking
- NH779225
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 17km
- 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
estate track 30% · bog and heather 45% · grassy plateau 15% · summit area 10%
Long walk from the dead-end road in Strathdearn. Pathless heather and peat hags lead eventually to the summit cairn. Best tackled when the ground is dry or frozen; in wet weather the upper moss between burns becomes hard work.
Terrain
Pathless throughout. Heather, peat hags, no obvious line. Compass essential in cloud.
In winter
Easier going on frozen ground than in summer. Whiteout navigation territory.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 35m
- Edinburgh4h 35m
OS maps: OS Explorer OL56
Mobile signal: Nothing in this remote Monadhliath area
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:37
- Sunset
- 22:06
- Civil dawn
- 03:34
- Civil dusk
- 23:09
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 2026
Around Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan 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
17km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Inverness
Highland capital — gateway to Cairngorms, Affric, Far North
17km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Tomatin
Tomatin — large Highland distillery just off the A9, south of Inverness
10km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan — common questions
- What difficulty is Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan comes in at 2/5 — moderate. Expect roughly 16km and 500m of ascent on the usual route — 3-6 hours for most parties. Ground conditions: Pathless throughout.
- How much drop does Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan have?
- The drop is 333m: measured from the summit of Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan?
- Park at NH779225. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
- What's the best month to climb Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan?
- Aim for April, May, June, September, October on Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan?
- Nothing in this remote Monadhliath area
- Is Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan safe in winter?
- Easier going on frozen ground than in summer. Whiteout navigation territory.
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