![Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs0.geograph.org.uk%2Fgeophotos%2F06%2F50%2F80%2F6508033_4c4c6d1e.jpg&w=1920&q=75&dpl=dpl_CBXtfUkJx6W89LDicVXehL74AYLp)
Marilyn · Galloway
Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee]
A 493m granite knoll at NX 58 east of Clatteringshaws Loch and known locally as the Black Craig of Dee. The summit is a clean tor of grey Galloway granite with the Cairnsmore of Carsphairn range filling the northern horizon.
Quick facts
- Height
- 493m/ 1617ft
- Prominence
- 295 m
- Grid ref
- NX 58385 75782
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 39km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather moorland 55% · rough grassland 25% · granite outcrops 20%
Start from the A712 Queen's Way near Craigencallie and follow the Raiders' Road north before bearing onto the open hill. The final pull weaves between granite outcrops to the small summit tor — 3 hours return.
Terrain
Approach on firm gravel track, then heather and granite slabs higher up. The slabs are grippy when dry but slick after rain.
In winter
The exposed granite tor catches what little snow falls in Galloway. Watch for ice glazing on the slabs after frost — the surrounding heather is normally snow-free.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 4m
- Edinburgh4h 31m
OS maps: OS Landranger 77, OS Explorer 319
Mobile signal: Poor. Galloway Forest Park; limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:21
- Sunset
- 21:25
- Civil dawn
- 04:34
- Civil dusk
- 22:13
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee] on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Ayr station
Ayrshire coast; Galloway approach via bus/car
52km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Kirkcudbright
Galloway base — Solway coast, Galloway Forest, Mull of Galloway Trail
27km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Bladnoch
Wigtown — Galloway's only distillery; Scotland's most southerly
27km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee] — common questions
- How hard is Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee]?
- We grade Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee] at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Underfoot: Approach on firm gravel track, then heather and granite slabs higher up.
- What is Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee]'s prominence?
- 295m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee] to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
- When is the best time to climb Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee]?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee]. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee] dog-friendly?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee]?
- Poor. Galloway Forest Park; limited coverage.
- Is Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee] safe in winter?
- The exposed granite tor catches what little snow falls in Galloway. Watch for ice glazing on the slabs after frost — the surrounding heather is normally snow-free.
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