NO6794 : Scolty
Moderate; steep paths; check restrictions

Scolty

299m Elevation
45m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NO6794 : Scolty

Colin Smith Photo source

Overview

Scolty is a 299 m hill southwest of Banchory, above the Dee and Feugh valleys. Woodland paths lead to the open summit area and the Burnett memorial tower. The natural high point is a rock east of the trig. Forestry restrictions affect access; check current official notices before planning a walk.

Scolty

Scolty rises to 299 m southwest of Banchory in Aberdeenshire, above the Dee and Feugh valleys. Its woodland approach leads to an open summit area with the Burnett memorial tower. DoBIH identifies the natural high point as a large rock 10 m east of the trig, at NO 67873 93939. The tower and tower-top viewpoint are separate.

Check forestry restrictions first

The official notices read on 17 October 2026 do not settle which complete summit route is currently usable. They describe felling, a signed approach via the March Trail, a closed Craigloch Trail and a partly open March Trail. The car park is described as reopened, but that does not reopen every path. The felling notice has no year; neither its duration nor Walkhighlands’ no-year November warning establishes a verified end date.

Check Forestry and Land Scotland’s current Scolty alerts and follow on-site signs. Do not enter closures or invent a way through operations. The normal circuit below is background planning information, not clearance to walk it. If current official advice does not confirm its sections are available, choose another walk.

Normal returning circuit

The normal course starts at Scolty Woodland car park, approaches the wooden gate on the forest track, climbs the marked steep path to the tower area, then returns by the winding woodland descent to the same gate and car park. Walkhighlands’ complete original circuit is 3.25 km with 189 m ascent and a 1–1.5 hour range. Those figures do not describe a forestry diversion or a same-way ascent of its descent path. The natural summit rock must be distinguished from the tower; no new final-rock track measurement is claimed.

The separate Strachan/Ardlair approach is not offered as a confirmed bypass. Its leaflet figures are one-way, and complete-return distance, ascent and duration have not been established.

Rock and heritage

The local Feughside/Scolty Tower Trust account describes banded Dalradian gneiss near the summit. No precise mapped summit formation has been established here. The trust dates the memorial tower to December 1842 in memory of General William Burnett, with major restoration in 1990–1992 and further repairs in October 2025. A reliable linguistic derivation of Scolty has not been established, so none is asserted.

Getting there and looking after yourself

FLS directs motorists south across the Dee on the B974 and then right by Scolty Woodland Walks signs. Parking is charged; check the displayed tariffs. Buses serve Banchory, with a separate approach to the woodland. FLS lists the nearest toilets at Bellfield car park in town. Verify current bus times and allow for the return.

The hill paths are steep, rough and rocky, despite the modest summit height. Use suitable footwear and clothing, allow enough daylight, and carry navigation. Wetness and ice worsen footing; ticks occur in the woodland and grass. Tower stair access is separate and has not been verified as open. Views over Banchory and Deeside depend on weather and viewpoint.

Nearby source-verified hills include Hill of Goauch (337.2 m), Craig of Affrusk (247 m) and Craig of Dalfro (317 m). They are separate places, not suggested extensions through the current forestry work.

Explore routes near Scolty

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Banchory to Milton of Crathes: Deeside Way return

9.5 km ~2h 30m Easy

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Milton of Crathes to Drumoak: Deeside Way return

11.8 km ~3h 30m Easy

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Potarch to Shooting Greens: Deeside Way return

7.9 km ~2h 45m Moderate

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Loch Kinord: Muir of Dinnet Woodland Circuit

6.4 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Scolty normal circuit (check forestry restrictions)

Normal circuit only; current availability is unconfirmed. Do not attempt it unless current FLS route-specific advice and on-site signs confirm every section is available; otherwise choose another walk. The normal start and finish is Scolty Woodland car park (NO686947). Follow the westbound track, continuing ahead at the Deeside Way branch and main-track bend. Pass the wooden gate, bear left, then take the marked path right uphill to the tower area. The natural summit is the DoBIH rock 10 m east of the trig, separate from the tower. For the normal return, head slightly west from the tower, fork right downhill through woodland, then turn right at the larger path to regain the gate and initial track back to the same car park. Walkhighlands gives 3.25 km, 189 m ascent and 1–1.5 hours for this original summit-area circuit. These figures exclude the March Trail extension, any diversion and any descent-path out-and-back. Current FLS notices describe forestry diversions and damaged forest trails; the exact usable summit route remains unresolved.

3.3 km Moderate; steep paths; check restrictions
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

200-299m hill

Elevation

299m

981 ft

Prominence

45m

Coordinates

57.0355, -2.5310

NO678939

OS Map

38 45

Explorer: 406W

At the Summit

The 299 m natural summit recorded by DoBIH is a large rock 10 m east of the trig point, at NO 67873 93939. Scolty Tower is a separate built monument and viewpoint. Reaching the tower or climbing its stairs is not the definition of reaching the natural high point; current tower access has not been verified.

Terrain & Geology

Forest tracks and woodland paths lead to steep rough and rocky upper-hill paths with open heather and exposed rock. This is a hill climb not a level woodland stroll. Current forestry diversions may change the available course.

The Feughside/Scolty Tower Trust account identifies banded metamorphosed Dalradian gneiss on Scolty, including exposures near the summit and along the path to its east. This supports a hill-specific metamorphic-rock description. No exact formation at the summit coordinate has been verified; the regional BGS Queen’s Hill Formation description alone cannot establish one.

Views & Scenery

The hill and tower area overlook Banchory and Deeside, with Clachnaben and surrounding Aberdeenshire hills visible in clear conditions. The higher tower viewpoint has a different outlook from ground level; visibility and access cannot be guaranteed.

Best Seasons

Woodland, heather and blaeberry add seasonal colour. Clear weather is needed for distant views; no particular season guarantees either visibility or access.

History & Heritage

Historical Significance

The Scolty Tower Trust’s history dates the memorial tower to December 1842, commemorating General William Burnett, who died in 1839. It records masonry repairs in 1964, major restoration in 1990–1992 and further repairs in October 2025. These are historical events, not confirmation that the tower is currently accessible.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Scolty Woodland car park is southwest of Banchory at NO686947. FLS directs drivers south across the Dee on the B974, then right following Scolty Woodland Walks signs; nearest postcode AB31 6PT. Its page checked 17 October 2026 lists £2 for one hour, £2.50 for three hours and £3 all day; verify the machine and signs. A reopened car park does not establish that all hill paths are open.

Public Transport

Buses serve Banchory, including links from Aberdeen and Royal Deeside described by FLS. The woodland car park is outside the town and requires a separate approach. Check the current timetable and return service; no bus number, frequency or direct car-park service has been verified.

Nearby Facilities

FLS lists the nearest toilets at Bellfield car park in Banchory. The town has shops and refreshments; bring what you need for the hill. Parking is charged. Tower interior and stair access are separate from the woodland facilities and have not been verified as open.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Forestry work and damaged trails affect access. Before setting out, check FLS notices and on-site signs; do not enter closed sections or improvise a route through operations.
  • The normal hill paths include steep, rough and rocky ground. Wet rock, mud or ice can be slippery; low height does not make the climb accessible to every walker.
  • Official pages checked 17 October 2026 do not reconcile the exact open summit route. A car-park reopening or an old route description is not clearance for the circuit.
  • Ticks occur in the woodland and grass. Check for ticks after the walk and follow current public-health advice if needed.
  • Strong wind, poor visibility and limited daylight can affect the open summit area. Carry suitable clothing and navigation; tower access is optional and not verified.

Seasonal Hazards

Ice, wet surfaces and short daylight can make the steep paths harder. FLS notices read on 17 October 2026 describe felling, a signed March Trail diversion, a closed Craigloch Trail and a partially open March Trail. The felling notice gives Monday 31 August and six to eight weeks but no year. Walkhighlands separately gives an ascent closure until 27 November without a year. No end date, reopening or usable diversion line is inferred; follow current official route-specific advice and signs.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Scolty?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Scolty through the maps

Are there other walkers around Scolty?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Scolty search or of course create your own walk for Scolty

Can I organise a walk to Scolty?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

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How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Scolty?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

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The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

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Location

Scolty location map

Grid reference: NO678939

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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