Creag a' Chait

About Creag a' Chait

Tucked away in the Gaick Forest, Creag a' Chait—the 'Crag of the Cat'—is a modest Graham Top for those who find the high Cairngorm plateaus too crowded. It offers a secluded, heather-clad escape with expansive views across a landscape famously carved by the Highland's abundant rainfall and steep-plunging rivers.

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Did You Know?

• •The name translates from Scottish Gaelic as 'Crag of the Cat', referring to the elusive Scottish wildcat that historically found refuge in these remote, craggy outcrops.
• •The hill is situated in the Gaick Forest, a region where steep-sided glens and high rainfall combine to create the numerous waterfalls characteristic of the Highland landscape.
• •Standing at 648 meters, it is classified as a Graham Top, making it a sanctuary for hikers who prefer quiet solitude over the busy 'bagging' circuits of the higher Munros.
• •The surrounding terrain is a masterclass in Scottish peat hags, which are essentially nature’s way of testing if your gaiters are actually waterproof or just a fashion statement.
• •Despite the name, the only 'cat' you are likely to encounter is the sound of your own heavy breathing, which—after three miles of heather-bashing—will sound remarkably like a very large, very annoyed mountain lion.