Marilyn · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Creag Bhan
Creag Bhan, the pale crag, is a 510m gneiss knoll in central Moidart between Loch Moidart and Glenuig. The exposed Lewisian gneiss faces give the hill its name, weathering to a pale grey-white in dry weather.
Gaelic: “crag, fair” · Pronunciation: krayg vahn
Quick facts
- Height
- 510m/ 1673ft
- Prominence
- 224 m
- Grid ref
- NM 78243 84662
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 34km
- 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 50% · quartzite rock 35% · grass slopes 15%
From the A861 west of Kinlochmoidart, climb up through woodland and onto the open rocky hillside. There is no path but the line is obvious — work up the broad south ridge over a sequence of slab steps to the cairn. Allow 3 to 4 hours.
Terrain
Classic Moidart underfoot — pale Lewisian gneiss slabs separated by heather hollows and small lochans. The slabs grip well dry; they are slick once damp. Bracken is dense up to about 200m in summer.
In winter
A low coastal Marilyn at 510m. Snow rarely settles for long but the slabs glaze readily and feel a grade harder under verglas. Spikes recommended; the lower bracken sections benefit from frost rather than suffer from snow.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 30m
- Edinburgh7h 48m
OS maps: OS Landranger 40, OS Explorer 398W
Mobile signal: Patchy. The A861 has signal in places; the upper slabs are mostly dead ground.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 06:51
- Sunset
- 19:46
- Civil dawn
- 06:12
- Civil dusk
- 20:25
NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026
Around Creag Bhan on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Creag Bhan — common questions
- How difficult is Creag Bhan?
- Creag Bhan carries a 2/5 (moderate) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Classic Moidart underfoot — pale Lewisian gneiss slabs separated by heather hollows and small lochans.
- What is Creag Bhan's prominence?
- 224m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Creag Bhan 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 Creag Bhan?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Creag Bhan. 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 Creag Bhan 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 Creag Bhan?
- Patchy. The A861 has signal in places; the upper slabs are mostly dead ground.
- Is Creag Bhan safe in winter?
- A low coastal Marilyn at 510m. Snow rarely settles for long but the slabs glaze readily and feel a grade harder under verglas. Spikes recommended; the lower bracken sections benefit from frost rather than suffer from snow.
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