Kinnoull Hill

Kinnoull Hill

Overview

Kinnoull Hill is a 222 m wooded hill east of Perth in Scotland, with 83 m of prominence. It is a Tump. The catalogue summit is ground beside the trig point at NO 13668 22802. Kinnoull Tower, at NO 13906 22727, is a separate clifftop landmark to the east-southeast.

Routes

Tower Trail from Jubilee car park

The red-waymarked loop visits the tower and summit area before returning to Jubilee car park. Forestry and Land Scotland publishes 3.3 km, allows 1 hour and grades it Moderate. Expect steep slopes, uneven gravel and a road crossing. The shorter Jubilee Trail stays below the summit.

Perth and South Inch circuit

Walkhighlands’ 6.5 km circuit starts and finishes at South Inch, NO120230. Cross by the railway footbridge, climb through Barnhill to the summit, follow the escarpment to the tower, then return through the woodland and streets on the Corsiehill side and across Queen’s Bridge. The guide gives 2–3 hours for the whole outing. Moncreiffe Hill is a different hill across the Tay.

Summit and views

The trig-point high ground, nearby stone table and tower are distinct features. Views include Perth, the Tay valley, Moncreiffe Hill and the Lomond Hills, with Highland hills visible in clear weather.

Terrain and safety

Woodland paths include steep and uneven stretches. The southern escarpment has high cliff edges that can be partly hidden by trees. Keep back from the drops and supervise children and dogs closely. The Perth approach includes steps and road crossings. FLS also warns of ticks at Kinnoull; check for them after walking.

Geology and nature

Resistant andesite lava of the Ochil Volcanic Formation, over conglomerates, forms the hill and its stacked southern cliffs. Corsiehill Quarry exposes a separate intrusive dyke. The 72.41 ha Kinnoull Hill SSSI protects woodland, rocky slopes and geology within the larger woodland park.

Access and facilities

Jubilee car park is reached via Muirhall Road from Perth; the nearest postcode is PH2 7LN. FLS lists it as free. Corsiehill Quarry is another access point. The Perth circuit starts from South Inch, where the route guide identifies paid parking. Perth’s rail and bus connections suit the city-centre start. For buses towards Kinnoull Hill, FLS directs visitors to Traveline Scotland.

Picnic areas and viewpoints are in the park. Public toilets and places to eat are in Perth. Kinnoull Shed toilets are bookable facilities, rather than unrestricted public toilets.

Nearby hills

Moncreiffe Hill (223 m) is across the Tay. Deuchny Hill (233 m in the DoBIH catalogue) lies northeast of Kinnoull, and Binn Hill near Kinfauns is 170.7 m. These are separate hills, not stops on the two Kinnoull circuits above.

Name and history

Kinnoull is Gaelic in origin. Peter McNiven’s 2018 study identifies ceann and an uncertain second element, possibly referring to an edge. Kinnoull Tower is a Category B-listed romantic folly inspired by Rhine castles. NatureScot records Lord Dewar’s gift of Kinnoull Hill to the people of Perth in 1924.