Graham · Central Highlands
Carn Salachaidh
Carn Salachaidh (648m) — the willow cairn — is a Easter Ross hill in the NH58 square above Strathcarron, north of Ardgay. A large granite boulder marks the high point of a broad, peaty plateau looking north across Glen Calvie to the bare Sutherland watershed.
Quick facts
- Height
- 648m/ 2126ft
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 486 m
- Time
- 3–5 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH518874
- Parking
- NH457915
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 45km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather moorland 60% · bog and rushes 30% · grassy summit 10%
Start from the parking near Croick Church at the head of Strathcarron. Follow the public road north-east and pick up the estate landrover track climbing past Glencalvie Lodge into Glen Calvie. Leave the track on a quad rut south-west to gain the rounded plateau, then walk to the granite boulder at the high point.
Terrain
Good track in Glen Calvie, then quad rut and trackless ground across the plateau. Underfoot is firm peat with patches of bare gravel; the granite boulder is unmistakable but its surrounding plateau looks all the same in mist.
In winter
Strathcarron catches drifting easterly snow that fills the plateau hollows quickly. Carn Salachaidh's open top is exposed to wind chill from any direction and there is no shelter once off the track. The northern latitude makes daylight precious so a winter visit needs an early Croick start.
This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 16m
- Edinburgh4h 20m
OS maps: OS Landranger 20
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Glen Calvie / Croick area; weak on all networks.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:28
- Sunset
- 22:03
- Civil dawn
- 03:22
- Civil dusk
- 23:09
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Around Carn Salachaidh on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Ardgay station
Kyle of Sutherland; Croick; Far North Line
8km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Ullapool
Main NW Highlands hub; Hebrides ferry; Inverpolly access
39km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Balblair
Edderton — Easter Ross distillery with vintage-led range
19km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Carn Salachaidh — common questions
- How hard is Carn Salachaidh?
- Carn Salachaidh is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 12km with 486m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-5 hours. Terrain: Good track in Glen Calvie, then quad rut and trackless ground across the plateau.
- Where do I park for Carn Salachaidh?
- Standard parking is at NH457915 near Ullapool. 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 Salachaidh?
- The standard good-weather months for Carn Salachaidh are May, June, July, August, September. 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 Salachaidh?
- 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 Salachaidh?
- Poor. Remote Glen Calvie / Croick area; weak on all networks.
- Is Carn Salachaidh safe in winter?
- Strathcarron catches drifting easterly snow that fills the plateau hollows quickly. Carn Salachaidh's open top is exposed to wind chill from any direction and there is no shelter once off the track. The northern latitude makes daylight precious so a winter visit needs an early Croick start.