[2] The origin of the name is unclear but is thought to refer to an unusual deep rocky hollow near the summit which lies between the main ridge and a false crest.

Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe's south face is one of the steepest and highest grassy mountainsides in Scotland as it drops almost 1000 metres in a distance of 1.5 kilometres to the valley bottom in Glen Shiel.

The mountain's northern flank falls in crags into Coire Domhain (Deep Corrie) while to the west a ridge connects to the adjoining Munro of Sgùrr na Carnach.

300 Spanish troops fought a brave rearguard action in the battle on the side of the defeated Jacobite rebels and the peak was named by locals in their honour.

[7] The fault trace cuts the east ridge at the awkward 'bad step' and crosses the north shoulder at the "Red Top", these outcrops being linked by a fretted crest.