Marilyn · Central Highlands
Creag Bheag
Creag Bheag, the little crag, is the rocky knoll that overlooks Kingussie from the north-west. At 487m it is the easternmost Marilyn of the Monadhliath and a justifiably popular half-day from the town, with a long view across Strathspey to the Cairngorms.
Gaelic: “crag, small” · Pronunciation: krayg vek
Quick facts
- Height
- 487.1m/ 1598ft
- Grid ref
- NH 74541 01643
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 44km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 55% · rocky summit 25% · grass slopes 20%
Waymarked from the centre of Kingussie via the golf course and Loch Gynack: a clear path climbs the heather-and-birch flank to twin rocky tops, the higher being the western. Two to three hours circular, with the option of returning over both summits.
Terrain
Birch and Scots pine scrub on the lower slopes give way to short heather and clean rock platforms near the tops. The path is dry and well-trodden by Kingussie standards — one of the most maintained routes among the Monadhliath outliers.
In winter
East of the watershed and only 487m, so snow seldom blocks the route. Frost and verglas on the rock platforms near the summit are the main hazard; spikes are a sensible precaution from December through to March.
This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 12m
- Edinburgh4h 43m
OS maps: OS Landranger 35, OS Explorer 056, OS Explorer 402
Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Fine Strathspey views near Kingussie.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:21
- Sunset
- 22:13
- Civil dawn
- 03:12
- Civil dusk
- 23:22
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Creag Bheag on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Kingussie station
Cairngorms south side; Glen Feshie; Insh Marshes; Monadhliath access
1km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Aviemore
Cairngorms base — Strathspey valley, ski centre, train
19km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Dalwhinnie
Dalwhinnie — Scotland's highest distillery on the Drumochter pass
20km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Creag Bheag — common questions
- How hard is Creag Bheag?
- Creag Bheag is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Birch and Scots pine scrub on the lower slopes give way to short heather and clean rock platforms near the tops.
- When is the best time to climb Creag Bheag?
- The standard good-weather months for Creag Bheag are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Creag Bheag?
- 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 Bheag?
- Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Fine Strathspey views near Kingussie.
- Is Creag Bheag safe in winter?
- East of the watershed and only 487m, so snow seldom blocks the route. Frost and verglas on the rock platforms near the summit are the main hazard; spikes are a sensible precaution from December through to March.
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