Scaraben

Scaraben is a mountain top in the Highlands of Scotland, standing between the towns of Tongue and Wick. Its summit sits at grid reference ND066268 and holds a small shelter and an Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar. The mountain is listed as a Marilyn, a Graham and a HuMP, categories used by hillwalkers to classify peaks. These classifications matter because they help walkers choose routes and measure their achievements. Organisations update the lists when new surveys are made, and Scaraben’s height was last confirmed in October 2001. The name is thought to come from the Gaelic language, though its exact meaning remains uncertain. Visitors reach Scaraben along paths that cross open moorland and rough ground. The view from the top stretches across rolling hills and distant valleys, with no buildings to break the skyline. On clear days the sea can be seen to the east, adding a sense of space to the scene. The shelter offers a place to rest before the descent back to the starting point.