📌 Blackburn, Aberdeen City
★★
🛠️ Route currently closed due to storm damage (checked April 2024)
Elrick Hill is at the midst of a low chain of hills forming a natural barrier between Aberdeen city and shire, with Brimmond Hill close by to the south, and Tyrebagger Hill across the A96 dual carriageway to the north. The area used to be enriched by several modern sculptures, though many have been removed; the biggest attraction is now red squirrels, which seem to thrive in the woodland surrounding the car parks despite a steady stream of traffic and walkers (visit early or late in the day for the best chance of seeing them). Elrick Hill’s summit is partially enclosed by trees, restricting the panorama; fortunately a path traversing the heathery west and south aspects gives much better views.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Clinterty Woods east car park, B979 2 mi southeast of Blackburn
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NJ 851112
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.190866,-2.247126
🚌 Bus stops on A96 at Chapel of Stoneywood (1 mi via West Woods – join route on east side)
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 4 km / 2 mi | ▲ 130 m | ⌛ 1-1.5 hr
Features: △ Elrick Hill (202 m)
⬤ Moderate | Clear tracks and paths. Detour to Elrick Hill summit is narrower and rougher.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit with extension to summit: start – western car park – path around west then south side of Elrick Hill – Elrick Hill summit – return to previous path junction – bridge over burn just southeast of Glendale – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Two red squirrels near the start, a red kite, treecreepers.
Weather: 10°C and cloudy to start, then weak sunshine and rain (often simultaneously!) on Elrick Hill.
July 2020
