Marilyn · Cairngorms
Crock
A neglected 554m moorland top above Glen Shee, set behind the better-known Cairnwell pass hills. Crock takes its name from the Gaelic for an earthenware pot, possibly a reference to the deep hollow on its eastern flank. Quiet even on summer weekends.
Quick facts
- Height
- 554m/ 1818ft
- Prominence
- 154 m
- Grid ref
- NO 22622 63246
- Nearest city
- Dundee· 37km
- 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 70% · grass slopes 20% · rocky summit 10%
Park at the Spittal of Glenshee and follow the right-of-way south, leaving it after about a kilometre to climb open hillside towards the cairn. Roughly 7km return in 2.5 to 3 hours — entirely off-path beyond the road.
Terrain
Long sections of knee-high heather, with peat groughs braiding the upper slopes. Boots with reasonable ankle support help; gaiters keep ticks off in summer.
In winter
Snow lies for long periods on the broad summit and tends to drift into the eastern hollow. The benign-looking ground hides hidden holes under snow — keep a steady pace and probe with the axe spike if drifts are deep.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 26m
- Edinburgh2h 5m
OS maps: OS Landranger 44, OS Explorer 053S, OS Explorer 388S
Mobile signal: Mixed. EE only occasional here; better toward Huntly.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 06:41
- Sunset
- 19:36
- Civil dawn
- 06:03
- Civil dusk
- 20:15
NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026
Around Crock on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Dunkeld & Birnam station
Birnam Hill, Hermitage walks, southern Perthshire gateway
29km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Dunkeld
Southern Cairngorms gateway — Hermitage, Loch of the Lowes
29km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Edradour
Pitlochry — until recently Scotland's smallest distillery; charming Perthshire setting
26km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Crock — common questions
- How difficult is Crock?
- Crock carries a 2/5 (moderate) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Long sections of knee-high heather, with peat groughs braiding the upper slopes.
- What is Crock's prominence?
- 154m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Crock 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 Crock?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Crock. 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 Crock 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 Crock?
- Mixed. EE only occasional here; better toward Huntly.
- Is Crock safe in winter?
- Snow lies for long periods on the broad summit and tends to drift into the eastern hollow. The benign-looking ground hides hidden holes under snow — keep a steady pace and probe with the axe spike if drifts are deep.
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