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A worn path climbing rough grass towards the rocky top of Càrn Ghluasaid under a blue sky.
Glen Shiel and Kintail

Carn Ghluasaid

A Munro of 956 metres, number 205 of the 282.

On the hill todayI was up today
The hill

Carn Ghluasaid sits in the hills between Glen Affric and Glen Moriston, at the end of a line of three Munros.

Sgurr nan Conbhairean, the highest of the three, is about two kilometres to the north-west, and Sail Chaorainn lies beyond it.

The high ground the three share marks the western edge of Ceannacroc Estate, which runs south to Loch Cluanie and the River Moriston. The local deer management plan describes Carn Ghluasaid's ridge as a place of grass-heath and deer grass.

The ground
Kintail Mountain Rescue Team covers an area from Kyle of Lochalsh on the west coast to Loch Ness in the east, and calls its ground particularly demanding: large areas of consistently steep ground and well-defined ridges.
The estates
The Glenmoriston Deer Management Group's plan for 2016 to 2026 puts Ceannacroc Estate's western boundary, with South Affric and Corrielair, along the high ground of Sail Chaorainn, Sgurr na Conbhairean and Carn Ghluasaid. For stalking, read Mountaineering Scotland's page, listed below, before you go.
Under snow
There is no avalanche forecast for this hill, but that does not mean there is no risk under snow. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service's full winter forecasts for its six areas begin on 17 December 2026.
Summit
Grid reference NH 145 125
Train
There is a railway station at Kyle of Lochalsh.
Phone signal
Kintail Mountain Rescue Team warns that mobile coverage is still poor in places: bear that in mind before you head out, and plan for it.
On the hill today
0° to 3°Drizzle on the summit, 956 m. Feels like −4° in the wind.

West wind to 14 mph, gusting 28
Rain, about 5 mm
Light from 7.55am to 6.16pm, ten hours

Sat 17Some cloud−1° to 4° on top · 7 mph, gusts 17
Sun 18Some cloud−2° to 4° on top · 12 mph, gusts 23
Mon 19Cloudy−3° to 6° on top · 5 mph, gusts 10

A weather model's forecast for the height of the summit, not a report from the hill. Read the mountain forecast the evening before: Northwest Highlands forecast, Carn Ghluasaid, The Met Office's Northwest Highlands mountain forecast, Scottish Avalanche Information Service.

October2026

MTWTFSS

Going another day?

Choose the day you mean to climb.Near or far: the light you will have, and what the summit is likely to be doing.

The craggy northern corrie below Càrn Ghluasaid, with moorland stretching away beyond.

Photographs by John Irvine, via Google

It's vital to remember that the conditions up in the hills can be very different from those at the roadside, and they can change quickly.Kintail Mountain Rescue Team, whose base is at Morvich in Glenshiel
Before you go

Carry

  • A paper map and a compass, and the skill to use them
  • Waterproofs, warm layers, hat and gloves
  • Food and drink
  • A head torch, a whistle and a first aid kit
  • A survival bag
  • Boots with a good grip

Under snow and ice this is a different day, with short light and the risk of avalanche. It needs an ice axe, crampons, winter boots and the skill to use them.

If something goes wrong

  • Dial 999, ask for the police, then mountain rescue
  • Give a six-figure grid reference: the summit is NH 145 125
  • Say how many are hurt, how many are with you, and your number
  • Register to text 999 before the day: text the word register to 999

The summit is optional. Turning back is the right decision whenever the cloud, the wind or the light say so.

How to call for help in the hills · Safety and skills for the hills · ThinkWINTER

From our readers

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From the magazine
Read more elsewhere

For the route itself, take the map and read these.

Next along: Sgurr nan Conbhairean, Sail Chaorainn, A' Chraileag, Mullach Fraoch-choire. Checked on 10 October 2026. The facts on this page are Kintail Mountain Rescue Team's, the Glenmoriston Deer Management Group's, Mountaineering Scotland's and National Rail's; the forecasts are the Mountain Weather Information Service's, the Met Office's and the Scottish Avalanche Information Service's. Height and position from The Database of British and Irish Hills, v18.3, adapted, CC BY 4.0. This page is not a route description and does not replace a map.