How hard is Carn Fiaclach?

Carn Fiaclach is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Estate track for the first kilometre, then deep heather and peat hags.

When is the best time to climb Carn Fiaclach?

The standard good-weather months for Carn Fiaclach are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Fiaclach?

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

How hard is Carn Fiaclach?

Carn Fiaclach is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Estate track for the first kilometre, then deep heather and peat hags.

When is the best time to climb Carn Fiaclach?

The standard good-weather months for Carn Fiaclach are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Fiaclach?

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

By Gary Innes

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

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Marilyn · kintail

Carn Fiaclach

Carn Fiaclach — the toothed cairn — rises to 457m at NH 278 272 on the southern fringe of Strathconon. The name refers to the broken rocky teeth of crags that crown the summit, visible from the Orrin reservoir below.

Quick facts

Height: 457m/ 1499ft
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NH 27893 27237
Nearest city: Inverness· 43km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

heather moorland 55% · rocky slopes 30% · grass slopes 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A track from Aultgowrie heads up the Orrin glen; leave it where the ground levels and strike north onto the heather slopes. Pathless above the track but easy navigation in clear weather. Around 3 hours round trip.

Terrain

Estate track for the first kilometre, then deep heather and peat hags. The summit teeth are easily turned on the south side; ground is firmer on the immediate top.

In winter

A low Ross-shire hill that often stays under the snowline. The peat hags freeze hard and make for easier walking; visibility on the broken summit demands map and compass when cloud is down.

Outside the SAIS network. kintail is not covered by a Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast area. 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

Glasgow4h 3m
Edinburgh6h 33m

OS maps: OS Landranger 25, OS Explorer 415

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Strathconon/Ross-shire; limited coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

20h 16mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:22
Sunset: 22:18
Civil dawn: 03:12
Civil dusk: 23:28

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

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Around Carn Fiaclach on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Dingwall station

Ben Wyvis approach; Easter Ross; junction for Kyle and Far North lines

42km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Inverness

Highland capital — gateway to Cairngorms, Affric, Far North

43km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Carn Fiaclach — common questions

How hard is Carn Fiaclach?: Carn Fiaclach is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Estate track for the first kilometre, then deep heather and peat hags.
When is the best time to climb Carn Fiaclach?: The standard good-weather months for Carn Fiaclach are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Fiaclach?: 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 Fiaclach?: Poor. Remote Strathconon/Ross-shire; limited coverage.
Is Carn Fiaclach safe in winter?: A low Ross-shire hill that often stays under the snowline. The peat hags freeze hard and make for easier walking; visibility on the broken summit demands map and compass when cloud is down.

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