Scotland
Craiglee
531M
1742FT
About Craiglee
Rising steeply above the eastern shores of Loch Doon, this rugged Marilyn provides a masterclass in Galloway granite terrain. Its heathery slopes and grey outcrops offer a shorter but punchy ascent, rewarding walkers with a prime perspective over the wild Silver Flowe and the high peaks of the Range of the Awful Hand.
Key Statistics
Rank
166th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Uplands
Prominence
?
197m
Nearest Town
Caldons
Geology
Craiglee is made of granodiorite, a rock similar to granite. It formed from a massive pool of molten rock that cooled slowly deep underground.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NX461801
Latitude
55.0917°N
Longitude
4.4121°W
Did You Know?
- •The name derives from the Scottish Gaelic Creag Liath, meaning 'Grey Crag.' This refers to the prominent granite outcrops that distinguish its profile from the greener, smoother hills found further east in the Southern Uplands.
- •The summit offers one of the best vantage points for observing the Silver Flowe, a rare and fragile system of blanket bogs located in the valley between Craiglee and the Dungeon Hills.
- •To the west, the view is dominated by the 'Range of the Awful Hand,' including the distinctive profile of the Merrick and the granite domes of Mulwharchar.
- •Hikers often approach from the northern end of Loch Doon, passing the site of Loch Doon Castle, which was moved from its original island location to the shore in 1935 to avoid being submerged by a local hydroelectric scheme.
- •Despite its relatively modest stature, Craiglee is a notable Marilyn, though walkers quickly discover that 'Galloway height' should be multiplied by two to account for the energy-sapping tussocks and hidden granite holes encountered on the climb.