Carn Eighe is a 1183m (3881ft) Scottish mountain classified as a Munro, one of 282 Munros in Scotland. It has a prominence of 1147m, making it a particularly independent summit. At this altitude, summit conditions can be severe — check the Carn Eighe wind chill, freezing level and cloud base before setting out. Winter walking on Carn Eighe requires full mountain equipment.
Geology: The bedrock here is Glenfinnan Group — Quartzite — an extremely hard metamorphic rock formed from compressed sandstone. Age: Tonian Period.
Planning to walk Carn Eighe? Our summit weather forecast shows live conditions at 1183m including wind speed, wind chill, temperature, freezing level, cloud base and rain risk. The forecast updates hourly using data from 7 weather models blended into the HILLANDGLEN ensemble — accuracy-weighted so the best-performing models have the most influence.
Key conditions to check before climbing Carn Eighe: wind chill (the real temperature you'll feel on exposed ridges), freezing level (whether ice and snow are likely on the summit), cloud base (whether you'll have visibility at 1183m), and wind gusts (which can be significantly stronger on exposed summits than in the valley below).
Carn Eighe weather can change quickly at 1183m. Valley conditions often differ from the summit — our forecast applies lapse rate adjustments to give you the actual temperature and wind at the top, not the nearest town. Check the 14-day outlook to find the best day to walk Carn Eighe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Carn Eighe?
Carn Eighe is 1183 metres (3881 feet) above sea level. It is classified as a Munro in Scotland.
What is the weather like on Carn Eighe?
At 1183m, Carn Eighe experiences significantly harsher conditions than the valleys below. Summit temperatures are typically 6-8°C colder due to the lapse rate, winds are stronger and more exposed, and cloud cover can reduce visibility to just a few metres. Always check the summit forecast before setting out — hillandglen.com shows live wind chill, freezing level, cloud base and rain risk updated hourly.
Is Carn Eighe safe to climb in winter?
Carn Eighe is a serious winter mountain at 1183m. Snow, ice and sub-zero wind chill are common from November to April. Full winter equipment is essential: ice axe, crampons, waterproofs, warm layers and navigation tools. Always check the freezing level and wind forecast before attempting a winter ascent. Check the SAIS avalanche forecast for Scottish mountains.
What is a Munro?
A Munro is a Scottish mountain over 3,000 feet (914.4 metres), named after Sir Hugh Munro who first catalogued them in 1891. There are currently 282 Munros. Completing all of them is known as "Munro bagging" — a popular challenge for hillwalkers.
When is the best time to climb Carn Eighe?
The best months for climbing Carn Eighe are typically May to September, when days are longest and weather is generally drier. June often has the best combination of long daylight hours and settled weather, with midges at their worst in July-August. Winter ascents (November-April) are possible but require full winter mountaineering equipment and experience.
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