📌 Monadhliath, Highland
★★★★
Creag Dhubh (black crag) is a steep-sided, individual hill immediately west of Newtonmore. Its name is the battle cry for the local MacPherson clan, and it’s a fittingly fierce challenge for walkers too! Like the wildcat – which features in the clan motto – whatever this hill may lack in size compared to its relatives, it more than makes up for in feistiness. Cliff bands bar any direct ascent route from the south, though they’re popular with rock climbers. The route outlined here ascends via the Allt na Glaic then follows the shapely southeast ridge to the summit, though you may still need to battle past bracken on the steep lower slopes. There is also some tricky navigation early on – the photos below show some of the key landmarks to look out for.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Lochain Uvie 
Creag Dhubh from the A86 
A rather scruffy red squirrel 
After the first road & track sections, pass through this gate on the right & head left beyond, almost parallel with the fence 
Keep left of this fenced area 
Cross the Allt na Glaic here 
Ascent through woodland 
The faint path climbs steeply towards a lone tree 
Gaining the southwest ridge 
Looking back to Creag Bheag Uvie 
Above Cadha an Feidh waterfall 
A watery face… 
Creag Dhubh ahead (not the true summit) 
Fence crossing 
View south over the River Spey & Glen Truim 
Looking back along the ridge 
Creag Dhubh 
Looking back from near the summit 
Creag Dhubh summit, Newtonmore beyond 
Looking up the infant River Spey from the summit 
Crag Liath (centre) & the Monadhliath
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Lochain Ulvie, A86 3 mi southwest of Newtonmore
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 673957
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.033543,-4.187460
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Layby
📝 Key info
▶ 6 km / 4 mi | ▲ 520 m | ⌛ 3.5-4 hr
Features: △ Creag Dhubh (756 m, “Torbett”)
⬤ Tough | Road (care needed) & track just at first. There is then a very faint path (easily lost) until the southwest ridge is gained, which has a clearer (but still rough & narrow) path.
Download file for GPS➡️ Out-and-back walk: start – pass through gate opposite Creagdhubh Lodge – pass through gate on right 300 m further up track (see photos) – gain southwest ridge at 🧭 NN 666956 – Creag Dhubh – return by outward route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Greylag geese on Lochain Uvie, mangy red squirrel on lower slopes, frogs. A screeching bird of prey above the crags.
Weather: Mostly overcast with sun breaking through right at the end. Temperature in mid teens, light winds.
July 2021
