Marilyn · Cairngorms
Brimmond Hill
Brimmond Hill is Aberdeen's nearest Marilyn — a 266m bracken-and-heather summit on the western edge of the city, popular with dog-walkers, joggers and after-work hill-baggers. Despite the modest height, the panorama takes in the North Sea, Bennachie and Lochnagar.
Quick facts
- Height
- 266m/ 873ft
- Prominence
- 159 m
- Grid ref
- NJ 85612 09150
- Nearest city
- Aberdeen· 9km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 30% · summit area 10%
Aberdeen City Council's Brimmond Hill Country Park has waymarked paths from car parks at Greenburn and the western entrance. The standard ascent takes about an hour for the 3km round trip — perfect for an evening visit.
Terrain
Surfaced and gravel tracks throughout, with gentle gradients suitable for almost anyone. The summit has a small flat area with viewpoint plaques.
In winter
A reliable winter walk — clear paths and short duration. Ice can form on the upper sections in cold spells but the gradients are gentle.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow6h 13m
- Edinburgh4h 0m
OS maps: OS Landranger 38, OS Explorer 406E
Mobile signal: Excellent coverage topside; strong on all networks. Near Aberdeen — excellent telecommunications.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:02
- Sunset
- 21:29
- Civil dawn
- 04:10
- Civil dusk
- 22:21
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Brimmond Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Brimmond Hill — common questions
- What difficulty is Brimmond Hill?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Brimmond Hill comes in at 1/5 — easy. Terrain: Surfaced and gravel tracks throughout, with gentle gradients suitable for almost anyone.
- How prominent is Brimmond Hill?
- Brimmond Hill has 159m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
- When should I climb Brimmond Hill?
- The standard good-weather months for Brimmond Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Brimmond Hill?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Brimmond Hill?
- Excellent coverage topside; strong on all networks. Near Aberdeen — excellent telecommunications.
- Is Brimmond Hill safe in winter?
- A reliable winter walk — clear paths and short duration. Ice can form on the upper sections in cold spells but the gradients are gentle.
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