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A tall cairn on the rocky crest of Creag Bheag, the path running through the heather and the Spey valley and the snow-streaked Cairngorms beyond.
Cairngorms

Creag Bheag

Kingussie's own hill, 487 metres high, climbed on a circular path of 4.5 kilometres from the town.

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Welcome

Every town should have a hill like Creag Bheag.

Expect a strenuous climb, as the National Park grades it. Much of the way up is steep, and the path is stony and narrow in places, with the odd flight of steps, so take it at your own pace. Your reward at the top is a wonderful view, with the town spread out below, Loch Gynack tucked in beneath the hill and the Cairngorms far off across the Spey. Kingussie's paths are looked after by local volunteers, and you'll find a free leaflet with a map of them on stands around the town. Wear good boots, save it for a clear day, and finish with a cup of tea back in town.

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A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.

The Daily for 29 October, from Scotland with love. An aerial view from a garden staircase looks down a formal garden's central path, statues and cherub urns lining the balustrade in the foreground.
A little further outLaggan Stores Coffee BothyThe village café, shop and gallery in Laggan, on the upper Spey in Badenoch, serving breakfast, lunch and homemade cakes.20 min by roadSee itA toasted sandwich with crisps and a dressed salad on a dark blue plate.
Before you go

Allow about two and a half hours.

Start
The Ardvonie car park in Kingussie.
Dogs
Keep your dog under control, as the Scottish Outdoor Access Code asks.

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Where it is

Above the north-west side of Kingussie, in the Cairngorms National Park.

Close byKincraig, Laggan and round Aviemore.
  1. Two Japanese macaques huddled in the snow.The Highland Wildlife ParkThe Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's park at Kincraig, with Scotland's only polar bears, snow leopards, wolves and a drive-through reserve.5 miles 10 min by road
  2. A steam train at Boat of Garten.Strathspey RailwayHeritage steam trains through the Spey Valley from Aviemore to Boat of Garten and Broomhill, running since 1978.13 miles 20 min by road
  3. A climber crossing between platforms among autumn trees.TreeZone AviemoreA treetop course in the Rothiemurchus pines by Aviemore: rope bridges, tightropes and a hundred-metre zip line, fifteen metres up.13 miles 20 min by road
  4. The Barn at RothiemurchusThe Barn at RothiemurchusThe café at the Rothiemurchus Centre by Aviemore, with a wood-burning stove, Cullen skink and cheese scones, and a corner for dogs.13 miles 20 min by road
  5. RothiemurchusRothiemurchusA Highland estate of ancient pinewood, lochs and hill by Aviemore, cared for by the Grant family since the 16th century.13 miles 20 min by road
  6. Loch an EileinLoch an EileinA loch in the Rothiemurchus pinewoods, with a castle ruin on its island and a three-mile path round the shore.14 miles 23 min by road
Directions
A rowan tree heavy with red berries hangs before a white harled house, a round table and chairs set on the gravel behind.KingussieCairngorms Church Hill HouseSleeps 4 · 0.8 miles
Ruthven Barracks, the roofless Hanoverian barracks near Kingussie, on its green mound under a heavy grey sky, a gravel path climbing to it.AttractionsRuthven Barracks1.7 miles
Insh Marshes in winter, the Spey's floodplain under water around a low wooded knoll, with snow on the hills beyond under a blue sky.AttractionsRSPB Insh Marshes2.4 miles
A row of stone cottages with a slated roof and four chimneys sits behind a gravel courtyard, hills visible in the distance.CairngormsKilliehuntly BothySleeps 4 · 3.8 miles
A stone barn with a red door and a steep slate roof stands among trees turning gold in autumn.CairngormsThe HayloftSleeps 2 · 3.8 miles
Stone farmhouse surrounded by autumn trees and hills in the Scottish countrysideCairngormsKilliehuntly FarmhouseSleeps 10 · 3.8 miles
A stone and dark timber house sits beneath autumn trees, logs stacked in an open store and hills visible in the distance.CairngormsGeordie’s CottageSleeps 5 · 3.8 miles
A landscape view of Park Cottage in the snow, its windows lit, forest and a white hill behind.KincraigPark CottageSleeps 6 · 7.9 miles
Autumn trees line a wide loch with forested hills beyondAttractionsUath Lochans8.9 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the hill, and when each is next free.

A rowan tree heavy with red berries hangs before a white harled house, a round table and chairs set on the gravel behind.Cairngorms Church Hill House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Kingussie
  • A mile from Creag Bheag
Check datesA row of stone cottages with a slated roof and four chimneys sits behind a gravel courtyard, hills visible in the distance.Killiehuntly Bothy
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Cairngorms
  • 3 miles from Creag Bheag
Check datesA stone barn with a red door and a steep slate roof stands among trees turning gold in autumn.The Hayloft
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Cairngorms
  • 3 miles from Creag Bheag
Check datesStone farmhouse surrounded by autumn trees and hills in the Scottish countrysideKilliehuntly Farmhouse
  • Sleeps 10
  • In Cairngorms
  • 3 miles from Creag Bheag
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in the CairngormsAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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