Scotland
Creag Liath
744M
2439FT
About Creag Liath
Rising steeply above Newtonmore, this prominent Graham marks the southern edge of the Monadhliath plateau. Its name, meaning 'Grey Crag', refers to the steep, rocky slopes overlooking the Spey Valley. The summit provides a grandstand view across the strath toward the massive, high plateaus of the Cairngorms.
Key Statistics
Rank
142nd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Data coming soon
Prominence
?
190.3
Nearest Town
Data coming soon
Geology
You are walking upon the Glen Banchor Subgroup, a foundation of tough, layered rocks originally formed from ancient sands and silts.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NH663007
Latitude
57.0785°N
Longitude
4.2061°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Gaelic, translating as 'Grey Crag'. This refers to the steep, scree-streaked southern face that is clearly visible to travellers on the Highland Main Line railway and the A9 near Newtonmore.
- •Unlike many remote Grahams, this hill is easily accessible from the village of Newtonmore. A common approach starts from the end of the public road in Glen Banchor, following the Allt a' Chaorainn before striking up the southern ridge.
- •The summit offers a spectacular perspective on the Cairngorm National Park. On a clear day, you can look directly into the mouth of the Lairig Ghru, flanked by the massive profiles of Braeriach and Sgòr Gaoith.
- •The terrain is a quintessential introduction to the Monadhliath, where the firm lower paths eventually give way to a masterclass in 'heather-hopping' and navigating the occasional peat hag, making the climb feel much more substantial than its 743-metre height suggests.