Carn Ghluasaid

Overview

Pronounced – Carn Voor - setch

Summit height - 957 m (3,140 ft)

Meaning – Hill of movement

Carn Ghluasaid is a mountain whose summit is hidden from the majority of travellers using the A87 road at its feet. From here, all that is seen, is its southern grassy slopes.

In fact, geographically speaking, Carn Ghluasaid is a lower top on an outlying spur of the much higher Sgurr nan Conbhairean.

However, as it has been designated as a Munro, it receives more than just a few lines of attention in that mountain’s route description and is a target for anyone wishing to complete another summit.

The summit is easily reached and the corrie on its northern side is steep and rocky but not enough to allow any significant climbing.

Having said that, Carn Ghluasaid does afford good views northwards to its higher neighbour, when the clear weather allows and it is often climbed as part of a traverse of Sgurr nan Conbhairean and Sail Chaorainn, the three Munros linked by a northward heading, grassy ridge.

Getting There

By Road:

From Fort William, the A82 and A87 roads head northwards towards Kyle of Lochalsh on the northwest coast.

From Inverness, the A82 road heads south along the shores of Loch Ness. Take the A887 westwards towards Kyle of Lochalsh, where it becomes the A87 at Bunloyne junction.

Carn Ghluasaid lies on the north side of Loch Cluanie, where the A87 road follows the shoreline. Soon after Loch Cluanie is reached travelling west, there is an “S” bend in the road and the shoreline. This is marked as “Lundie” on the map and is now an area for parking (or camping!). If there is no room when you arrive, there is another large layby about 100m further west down the road.

Travelling from the west, pass through Glen Shiel and up the valley on the A87 road, passing The Cluanie Inn.

Look out for the parking area at Lundie as described above.

Alternative ascent route start point.

Park alongside the A87 further east than Lundie, near the Ceannacroc bridge (Map ref: 226106) and head north on foot along the private road to the Ceannacroc lodge.

By Bus

Buses are run from Kyle of Lochalsh to Fort William by City Link services.

The nearest bus stop is at Bunloyne junction where the A87 and A887 meet. This would entail a roadside walk westwards of over 7km (4.5 miles) to reach Lundie along the A87. Walk for about 1.5 Km westwards to reach Ceannacroc bridge.

https://www.citylink.co.uk/

By Rail:

Kyle of Lochalsh is the nearest railway station. Scotrail’s Highland line which runs between Dingwall (north of Inverness) on the east coast and Kyle of Lochalsh on the west coast is the only railway line.

See the Scotrail website for service information:

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/stations-and-facilities/ach

Route

Starting point:

Lundie - There is limited parking in a layby on the A87. Grid reference: 145103

From Lundie, leave the A87 road on the old military road – now a track – which heads west, parallel to the A87.

This track soon passes through a gate and onwards towards a communications aerial. Just after this, a path heads off to the right, uphill (north), take this.

The path is well made and easy to follow, it finds a way up onto An Cruachan, a small hill south of Carn Ghluasaid’s summit.

The path heads a little to the northwest before climbing north up to the rock strewn, southwest rib of the mountain. The path wends its way up this in a northeast direction, until the summit cairn is reached.

The summit cairn is small and most pass by it in favour of the larger cairn about 30m to the northwest which overlooks a large, deep corrie.

Ascent time, around 2 hours.

From here, it would be easy to retrace your steps back to Lundie.

Alternatively, a route can be continued by following the rim of the large corrie northwest towards Creag a’ Chaorainn and onwards towards the summit of Sgurr nan Conbhairean.

Alternative ascent route.

The route from Ceannacroc bridge passes the lodge and continues alongside the River Doe on a track. It is possible to head west by leaving the track and continuing over boggy ground towards the ridge of Carn nam Feuaich. Climb this ridge top and descend to the bealach.

Climb the east ridge of Carn Ghluasaid to the summit.

This route is across rough, pathless ground and is a harder route to follow than the others described so care is needed in ascent and especially, in descent. This is not a route I can personally recommend.

Red Tape

Scotland has an Outdoor Access code, see link:

https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/practical-guide-all

The area is popular for Deer stalking and Grouse shooting. These activities may impact on any plans for hiking. However, it is still possible to hike during these events with a little extra effort at the planning stage.

This is a useful page on the Outdoor access – Scotland website

https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/practical-guide-all/heading-scottish-hills

When to Climb

Spring, Summer or Autumn (Fall) depending on conditions.

Warning: The above descriptions are for use in reasonable summer conditions. Winter conditions can occur at almost any time of the year. In winter condition, this mountain is a much more serious proposition. Any paths may be covered by snow and ice and gale force winds are common.

Ice axe, Crampons, the knowledge of how to use them allied with excellent map reading and compass skills are essential.

The proximity of the west coast and the sea means that mist often forms and can cover the mountain.

Accomodation

Accomodation

There is limited hotel accommodation at the Cluanie Inn and in the town of Kyle of Lochalsh. There are also campsites around this town and in Glen Shiel.

It is possible to wild camp in Scotland. See the Outdoor access code (above) for more details.

There are many types of self-catering accommodation in these areas but it is best to book these in advance.

External Links

SMC - https://www.smc.org.uk/

The Munros – (SMC Hillwalkers guidebook)

The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland – I. Butterfield

West Highlands – Nick Williams

Ordnance survey map OS 414 Glen Shiel and Kintail Forest. 1: 25 000