Marilyn · North-West Highlands
Creag Dhubh Mhor
Creag Dhubh Mhor, the "big black crag", rises to 553m in the NC45 square above Loch More and the Reay Forest. Dark Lewisian outcrops define its character. A 553 m top in the North-West Highlands.
Gaelic: “crag, black, big” · Pronunciation: krayg goo vore
Quick facts
- Height
- 553m/ 1814ft
- Prominence
- 156 m
- Grid ref
- NC 45883 33680
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 91km
- 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 50% · rocky slopes 35% · grass slopes 15%
Use the path along the south shore of Loch More from the Ben Stack lay-by, then leave the track and pick the gentlest gneiss terraces northwards. Typically 5-6 hours pathless.
Terrain
A characteristic cnoc-and-lochan landscape of jumbled gneiss knolls separated by peat pools. Route-finding is genuinely complex even in clear weather.
In winter
Brief but ferocious snow showers blow in off the Minch. Verglas on the black slabs is the main hazard rather than deep snow; an axe is rarely needed but crampons can help.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow6h 18m
- Edinburgh7h 3m
OS maps: OS Landranger 16, OS Explorer 440N, OS Explorer 447S
Mobile signal: Poor. No signal on any network; one of Scotland's largest coverage black spots.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:05
- Sunset
- 21:45
- Civil dawn
- 04:10
- Civil dusk
- 22:40
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Creag Dhubh Mhor on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Creag Dhubh Mhor — common questions
- Is Creag Dhubh Mhor a hard climb?
- Creag Dhubh Mhor is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: A characteristic cnoc-and-lochan landscape of jumbled gneiss knolls separated by peat pools.
- How prominent is Creag Dhubh Mhor?
- Creag Dhubh Mhor has 156m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
- When should I climb Creag Dhubh Mhor?
- The standard good-weather months for Creag Dhubh Mhor 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 Dhubh Mhor?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Creag Dhubh Mhor?
- Poor. No signal on any network; one of Scotland's largest coverage black spots.
- Is Creag Dhubh Mhor safe in winter?
- Brief but ferocious snow showers blow in off the Minch. Verglas on the black slabs is the main hazard rather than deep snow; an axe is rarely needed but crampons can help.
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