The mountain reaches a height of 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, to the west.