Craig Leek

About Craig Leek

Perched above Braemar, Craig Leek is a rare limestone island in a sea of Cairngorm granite. It’s a botanist’s dream and a hiker's delight, offering arguably the best bang-for-your-buck views of the Dee Valley without the soul-crushing ascent of a nearby Munro.

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Did You Know?

• •Unlike its granite neighbors, Craig Leek is largely composed of Dalradian limestone. This rare geology creates a fertile oasis for lime-loving plants like the mountain avens and rock rose.
• •The hill sits prominently on the Invercauld Estate and has long been a favored vantage point for the Royal Family during their stays at Balmoral just down the road.
• •Its name translates from the Gaelic 'Creag Leac' as the 'Crag of the Flat Stone.' You will find many such slabs, mostly perfectly positioned to test your ankle stability.
• •The summit serves as a spectacular natural grandstand for observing the weather. You can smugly watch the clouds swallow Lochnagar while you remain in relatively sunshine-filled safety.
• •The lower slopes are home to one of the finest juniper forests in Scotland. Navigating the dense, prickly scrub feels remarkably like being trapped inside a giant, vertical gin and tonic.