Marilyn · Ochils
Turin Hill
Turin Hill rises above Aberlemno and the Vale of Strathmore at NO51, a 252m ridge in Angus carrying several Pictish forts and stone settings. A short hill with archaeological interest and a panoramic view across the strath to the Angus glens.
Quick facts
- Height
- 252m/ 827ft
- Prominence
- 178 m
- Grid ref
- NO 51490 53551
- Parking
- NO 514 547
- Nearest city
- Dundee· 26km
- 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
grass slopes 60% · heather 30% · rocky summit 10%
From the lay-by on the Aberlemno–Friockheim road, take the rough track south then climb the grassy slope to the eastern fort. A ridge walk west passes further ramparts to reach the highest cairn.
Terrain
Farm track, then sheep-cropped grass and gorse on the open ridge. Easy underfoot but boggy in patches around the ramparts.
In winter
Low Angus ridge that rarely holds snow. Cold easterlies can be biting; the open ridge offers no shelter and the archaeology is easily lost under drifts.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 19m
- Edinburgh2h 7m
OS maps: OS Landranger 54, OS Explorer 389
Mobile signal: Good Angus-side coverage on Turin Hill — EE and O2 both reliable on the summit ridge with an open line to the Forfar and Carnoustie masts. Patchy in the gorse-covered lower slopes but recovering quickly with height.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:07
- Sunset
- 21:28
- Civil dawn
- 04:16
- Civil dusk
- 22:19
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Turin Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Turin Hill — common questions
- How difficult is Turin Hill?
- Turin Hill carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Farm track, then sheep-cropped grass and gorse on the open ridge.
- How prominent is Turin Hill?
- Turin Hill has 178m 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.
- Where should I park to climb Turin Hill?
- Standard parking is at NO 514 547. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When should I climb Turin Hill?
- The standard good-weather months for Turin 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 Turin Hill?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Turin Hill?
- Good Angus-side coverage on Turin Hill — EE and O2 both reliable on the summit ridge with an open line to the Forfar and Carnoustie masts. Patchy in the gorse-covered lower slopes but recovering quickly with height.
- Is Turin Hill safe in winter?
- Low Angus ridge that rarely holds snow. Cold easterlies can be biting; the open ridge offers no shelter and the archaeology is easily lost under drifts.
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