Marilyn · Cairngorms
Knock Hill
A 430m isolated lump rising above the rolling farmland of north-east Aberdeenshire between Keith and Huntly. The position out in the open arable country gives the summit trig an unusually wide horizon — Bennachie, the Cairngorm plateau and the Moray Firth all visible on a clear day.
Quick facts
- Height
- 430m/ 1411ft
- Grid ref
- NJ 53708 55145
- Nearest city
- Aberdeen· 63km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather moorland 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%
A short, sharp pull from the road at NJ535540, with about 200m of ascent on a clear track and grassy hillside. Allow ninety minutes for the 3km round trip — perhaps the quickest Marilyn in the north-east.
Terrain
Sheep-cropped grass and a clear track. The summit area is broad and grassy with a triangulation pillar and a small mast. No bog to speak of.
In winter
Easy in light snow but the exposed summit catches the full force of north-easterly gales howling off the Moray Firth. A good winter quick-tick when bigger hills are out.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow6h 52m
- Edinburgh4h 21m
OS maps: OS Landranger 29, OS Explorer 425N
Mobile signal: Good. EE and Vodafone both reliable on this exposed Banffshire summit.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:11
- Sunset
- 22:12
- Civil dawn
- 02:59
- Civil dusk
- 23:24
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Knock Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Knock Hill — common questions
- How hard is Knock Hill?
- Knock Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Sheep-cropped grass and a clear track.
- When is the best time to climb Knock Hill?
- The standard good-weather months for Knock 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 Knock Hill?
- 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 Knock Hill?
- Good. EE and Vodafone both reliable on this exposed Banffshire summit.
- Is Knock Hill safe in winter?
- Easy in light snow but the exposed summit catches the full force of north-easterly gales howling off the Moray Firth. A good winter quick-tick when bigger hills are out.
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