Marilyn · Cairngorms
Millstone Hill
Millstone Hill is the smaller southern neighbour of Bennachie, reaching 408m above the Don. It earned its name from the granite millstones once quarried on its flanks, and the workings are still visible on the lower slopes.
Quick facts
- Height
- 408.6m/ 1341ft
- Prominence
- 153 m
- Grid ref
- NJ 67672 20247
- Nearest city
- Aberdeen· 30km
- 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 70% · grass slopes 20% · rocky summit 10%
Waymarked paths from the Bennachie Centre or Donview car park climb steadily through pine plantation onto open heather, with the summit cairn at the highest point of the ridge. A 6-7km round trip taking 2-3 hours.
Terrain
Excellent waymarked paths throughout — the Forestry network here is among the best in Aberdeenshire. Some granite gravel on the upper ridge.
In winter
Shelter from the surrounding plantation makes this an accessible winter outing. Snow rarely sticks deep on the lower ridge though the cairn can be exposed.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow6h 44m
- Edinburgh4h 49m
OS maps: OS Landranger 38, OS Explorer 062E, OS Explorer 420E, OS Explorer 421W
Mobile signal: Good summit signal; count on EE. Fine Aberdeenshire views.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:03
- Sunset
- 21:30
- Civil dawn
- 04:10
- Civil dusk
- 22:23
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Millstone Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Millstone Hill — common questions
- Is Millstone Hill a hard climb?
- Millstone Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Excellent waymarked paths throughout — the Forestry network here is among the best in Aberdeenshire.
- What is Millstone Hill's prominence?
- 153m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Millstone Hill 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 Millstone Hill?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Millstone Hill. 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 Millstone Hill 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 Millstone Hill?
- Good summit signal; count on EE. Fine Aberdeenshire views.
- Is Millstone Hill safe in winter?
- Shelter from the surrounding plantation makes this an accessible winter outing. Snow rarely sticks deep on the lower ridge though the cairn can be exposed.
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