Marilyn · Central Highlands
Cruban Beag
Cruban Beag — the small hump — is a 590m Marilyn in NN-square Badenoch, sitting on the moorland between Glen Truim and the upper River Spey south-west of Newtonmore. The summit gives wide views across to the Monadhliath and east into the Drumochter pass with the A9 threading along its base.
Gaelic: “small” · Pronunciation: cruban bek
Quick facts
- Height
- 590m/ 1936ft
- Grid ref
- NN 66858 92448
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 53km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 65% · bog and rushes 25% · grassy summit 10%
The shortest line uses the lay-by on the A9 at the Truim viaduct, crossing the railway by the underpass and climbing the rough east shoulder onto the broad summit. An alternative route comes in from the Phones road on the west, slightly longer but easier underfoot.
Terrain
Mixed grouse moor and bog at the lower levels, with stretches of bare gravel and tundra-like crowberry on top. The Allt na Cuile must be crossed below the summit — straightforward in normal conditions.
In winter
A drier hill than its Lochaber neighbours but high enough to hold proper snow from December onward. Plateau-style navigation in cloud; spindrift in north winds turns the gentle top into a featureless white expanse.
This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 57m
- Edinburgh4h 46m
OS maps: OS Landranger 35, OS Explorer 056, OS Explorer 402
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Loch Rannoch/Corrour area; limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:22
- Sunset
- 22:13
- Civil dawn
- 03:14
- Civil dusk
- 23:21
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Cruban Beag on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Dalwhinnie station
Highest mainline station; Drumochter Munros; Ben Alder approach
7km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Aviemore
Cairngorms base — Strathspey valley, ski centre, train
31km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Dalwhinnie
Dalwhinnie — Scotland's highest distillery on the Drumochter pass
8km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Cruban Beag — common questions
- How hard is Cruban Beag?
- Cruban Beag is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Mixed grouse moor and bog at the lower levels, with stretches of bare gravel and tundra-like crowberry on top.
- When is the best time to climb Cruban Beag?
- The standard good-weather months for Cruban Beag 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 Cruban Beag?
- 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 Cruban Beag?
- Poor. Remote Loch Rannoch/Corrour area; limited coverage.
- Is Cruban Beag safe in winter?
- A drier hill than its Lochaber neighbours but high enough to hold proper snow from December onward. Plateau-style navigation in cloud; spindrift in north winds turns the gentle top into a featureless white expanse.
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