What is Burgiehill's prominence?

167m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Burgiehill to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.

When is the best time to climb Burgiehill?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Burgiehill. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is Burgiehill dog-friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary

Photo: Steven Brown / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Moray

Burgiehill

A short forested rise behind the Moray village of Burgie reaching a mere 254m, yet ticking the prominence box thanks to surrounding farmland. The hill carries the ruins of Burgie Castle on its lower flank, and a wartime concrete observation post sits crumbling near the top.

Quick facts

Height: 254m/ 833ft
Prominence: 167 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NJ 09727 55901
Nearest city: Inverness· 44km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

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Standard route

heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 30% · summit area 10%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

From a small parking area on the B9089, a forest road leads through Sitka spruce to a quad track that climbs the final 60m to the trig pillar. About 3km return in 45 minutes.

Terrain

Mostly hard-packed forest road through dense conifer, with the small open summit area covered in grass and self-seeded birch. The summit area can be midgy on summer evenings.

In winter

Snow is uncommon at this elevation on the Moray coastal plain. The biggest weather hazard is wind — gales coming off the Firth funnel through the forest with surprising force.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Burgiehill. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow5h 51m
Edinburgh4h 18m

OS maps: OS Landranger 27, OS Explorer 423

Mobile signal: Reliable up top; EE is dependable. Fine Moray Firth views.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 16mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:42
Sunset: 19:38
Civil dawn: 06:02
Civil dusk: 20:18

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Burgiehill on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Dufftown

Speyside whisky town in the eastern Cairngorms

28km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Glen Moray

Elgin — long-standing, gently malty Speysider with broad approachable range

13km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Burgiehill — common questions

How hard is Burgiehill?: We grade Burgiehill at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Underfoot: Mostly hard-packed forest road through dense conifer, with the small open summit area covered in grass and self-seeded birch.
What is Burgiehill's prominence?: 167m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Burgiehill to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
When is the best time to climb Burgiehill?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Burgiehill. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is Burgiehill dog-friendly?: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
Is there mobile signal on Burgiehill?: Reliable up top; EE is dependable. Fine Moray Firth views.
Is Burgiehill safe in winter?: Snow is uncommon at this elevation on the Moray coastal plain. The biggest weather hazard is wind — gales coming off the Firth funnel through the forest with surprising force.

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