Ciste Dhubh

Ciste Dhubh
Ciste Dhubh seen from the Corbett Am Bàthach, three km to the south.
Highest point
Elevation	979 m (3,212 ft)
Prominence	388 m (1,273 ft)
Parent peak	Sgurr Fhuaran
Listing	Munro, Marilyn
Naming
Translation	Black Chest (Gaelic)
Pronunciation	Scottish Gaelic: [ˈkʰʲiʃtʲə ˈɣuh] English approx: k-yisht-yuh ghue
Geography
Location	Kintail, Scotland
Parent range	Northwest Highlands
OS grid	NH062166
Topo map	OS Landranger 33, OS Explorer 414

Ciste Dhubh is a mountain in the Scottish Highlands between Glen Shiel and Glen Affric. It is far from any centres of population, with Kyle of Lochalsh being almost 30 kilometres (19 mi) away to the west-northwest.

The mountain reaches a height of 979 metres (3,212 ft) and is classed as a Munro and a Marilyn hill. It is generally associated with the Glen Shiel mountains to the west, although it is the most isolated of that group and is often climbed separately. Ciste Dhubh translates from the Gaelic as “Black Chest”; one possible explanation of this is that the mountain's summit rocks often show as dark in colour when viewed from a distance even in good light conditions (see picture). The mountain should not be confused with another Munro, Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe, seven kilometres (4.3 mi) to the west.

Ciste Dhubh has a prominent pointed peak with flanks which are predominantly grassy with some craggy areas on its northern slopes. The summit is precipitous and rocky, and the southern ridge is steep and in places quite narrow, it offers few dangers for walkers but care is needed in high winds or under winter conditions. The mountain also has ridges to the north west and north which descend to upper Glen Affric. There are two small corries on either side of the northern ridge. Ciste Dhubh falls to deep glens on all sides except to the south where the mountain is connected to the adjoining Munro of Aonach Meadhoin by a col with a height of 591 metres called the Bealach a’ Choinich (Pass of the Bog). This pass, which lives up to its translated name, is strategically important as it also connects to the adjacent Corbett of Am Bathach and is vital to the walker who wants to climb the mountain with either or both of these adjoining hills.

All drainage from Ciste Dhubh finds its way to the east coast of Scotland over 80 kilometres (50 mi) away. This is surprising for a mountain which stands only 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Loch Duich on the west coast. The mountains north, east and west flanks fall into deep valleys which contain the streams which form the head waters of the River Affric and takes water away north east to the Beauly Firth. Drainage from the southern slopes of the mountain goes south to Loch Cluanie and then east via the River Moriston and Loch Ness to the Moray Firth.