The mountain's name originates from the Gaelic language and translates as “The Brindled One” which is believed to refer to the flecked effect given by the stone studded turf on the hill.

The West Top with a height of 1040 metres stands at the western end of the summit ridge, before descending to the Bealach Bholla and reascending to the adjoining Munro of An Socach.

[4] The summit ridge falls away on both sides over grassy slopes to Loch Mullardoch to the south and to the upper part of Glen Strathfarrar to the north.

The most convenient ascent of all four Munros starts at the Mullardoch dam in Glen Cannich (grid reference NH219316) and proceeds 9 km along the loch's northern shore before climbing An Socach, continuing to An Riabhachan and returning via Sgurr na Lapaich and Càrn nan Gobhar.

[6] From the power station a stalkers' path leads to the Bealach Toll an Lochain between An Riabhachan and Sgurr na Lapaich, from where there is a further climb west of over 300 metres to reach the summit.