Marilyn · Cairngorms
Tap o' Noth
The Top of Noth, the unmistakable conical hill above Rhynie in west Aberdeenshire, crowned by Scotland's second-highest Iron Age vitrified fort. Recent excavations suggest this was the centre of a Pictish power complex of regional significance — walking the rampart on the summit is to walk in two thousand years of history.
Quick facts
- Height
- 564.3m/ 1851ft
- Grid ref
- NJ 48408 29321
- Nearest city
- Aberdeen· 51km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 30% · rocky summit 10%
From the Brae of Scurdargue car park north of Rhynie a clear path climbs steadily for around 3km to the summit fort. A 6km return outing of two to three hours, gaining 250m — one of the easiest Marilyns in Scotland.
Terrain
A well-graded gravel and grass path the whole way, gentle enough for most fitness levels. The summit itself is the stone-strewn floor of the ancient fort.
In winter
The path can be icy or snow-covered from December to March but the gradient is forgiving. A great winter introduction to the area's archaeology with the bonus of long views in clear, cold air.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 16m
- Edinburgh4h 43m
OS maps: OS Landranger 37, OS Explorer 062E, OS Explorer 420E
Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE and Vodafone reliable. Iron Age vitrified fort on summit.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:13
- Sunset
- 22:11
- Civil dawn
- 03:03
- Civil dusk
- 23:21
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Tap o' Noth on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Stonehaven station
Dunnottar Castle; Aberdeenshire coast; Mearns walking country
58km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Dufftown
Speyside whisky town in the eastern Cairngorms
19km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Glenfiddich
Dufftown — the world's best-selling single malt; visitor centre on the Speyside Way
20km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Tap o' Noth — common questions
- How hard is Tap o' Noth?
- Tap o' Noth is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: A well-graded gravel and grass path the whole way, gentle enough for most fitness levels.
- When is the best time to climb Tap o' Noth?
- The standard good-weather months for Tap o' Noth 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 Tap o' Noth?
- 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 Tap o' Noth?
- Good signal on summit; EE and Vodafone reliable. Iron Age vitrified fort on summit.
- Is Tap o' Noth safe in winter?
- The path can be icy or snow-covered from December to March but the gradient is forgiving. A great winter introduction to the area's archaeology with the bonus of long views in clear, cold air.
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