Is Craiglee a hard climb?

Craiglee is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Forest track approach then knee-deep heather and peat hags on the summit dome.

How much drop does Craiglee have?

The drop is 200m: measured from the summit of Craiglee down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.

What's the best month to climb Craiglee?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Craiglee. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.

Can dogs go up Craiglee?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Leslie Barrie / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Galloway

Craiglee

The northern Craiglee, a 523m heather top at NX 47 above the Water of Girvan east of Straiton. This is the lonelier of the two Galloway Craiglees, with views over Loch Bradan and the headwaters of the Stinchar.

Quick facts

Height: 523m/ 1716ft
Prominence: 200 m
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NX 47078 96245
Nearest city: Dumfries· 54km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

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Standard route

heather moorland 60% · boggy ground 25% · grassy summit 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

From the road end near Tairlaw, follow the forestry track south-east before breaking out onto open ground for the final heather pull to the cairn. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the round trip from Straiton.

Terrain

Forest track approach then knee-deep heather and peat hags on the summit dome. Stick to the highest ground in mist to avoid the wettest sections.

In winter

Snow lies only briefly at this elevation; the bigger winter issue is bog and standing water on the peaty top. Gaiters are useful from October onward.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Craiglee. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS Southern Uplands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 39m
Edinburgh4h 39m

OS maps: OS Landranger 77, OS Explorer 318

Mobile signal: Poor. Blank throughout; Galloway moorland has very limited infrastructure.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

16h 37mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:47
Sunset: 20:58
Civil dawn: 05:04
Civil dusk: 21:41

NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 August 2026

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Around Craiglee on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Ayr station

Ayrshire coast; Galloway approach via bus/car

29km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Kirkcudbright

Galloway base — Solway coast, Galloway Forest, Mull of Galloway Trail

50km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Craiglee — common questions

Is Craiglee a hard climb?: Craiglee is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Forest track approach then knee-deep heather and peat hags on the summit dome.
How much drop does Craiglee have?: The drop is 200m: measured from the summit of Craiglee down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
What's the best month to climb Craiglee?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Craiglee. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
Can dogs go up Craiglee?: Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
Will I get phone signal on Craiglee?: Poor. Blank throughout; Galloway moorland has very limited infrastructure.
Is Craiglee safe in winter?: Snow lies only briefly at this elevation; the bigger winter issue is bog and standing water on the peaty top. Gaiters are useful from October onward.

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