Posted by Maris on 20th Dec 2023
10 Spectacular Small Hills in Scotland That Show Dramatic Scenery
There are moments when you simply lack the time or energy to labor up one of the famous giants of the Highlands. Smaller peaks are often easier to reach, but they have just as much individuality and provide just as breathtaking vistas as some of Scotland's most popular hills. These are our top ten choices for the best small hills in the country; all of them are under 600 meters tall, some of which are widely known and acknowledged and some of which are barely known.
1. Ben A’an, Trossachs
Ben A'an is a classic "great wee hill". Looking at a map, all that's seen is a hump on the southern slopes of Meall Gainmheich's insignificant higher summit. A fall to the bottom, however, proves that height is useless.
The striking rocky cone of Ben A'an is the focal point of attention, drawing in more admirers than the parent hill (which may contribute to the Trossachs' reputation as a miniature Highlands). Well-deservedly well-liked (the parking lot gets packed on weekends), the climb offers breathtaking views of Loch Katrine.
2. Dumyat, Ochils
The Ochils are easily accessible from the central belt and offer great hillwalking with their sheer southern slopes and glens hiding a rolling plateau. Nonetheless, Dumyat, their lesser outlier, draws the most prominence in the vistas that radiate out from Stirling through the Wallace Monument. Climbing this hill is an excellent way to enjoy the breathtaking vista.
3. Eildon Hills, Borders
The Eildons are a trio of little hills rising just outside the picturesque Borders town of Melrose. Situated in Walter Scott country and not far from his Abbotsford house, there aren't many finer ways to spend a wonderful afternoon than touring each of these three mountains.
4. Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh
This couldn't be missed, could it? Arthur's Seat is an amazing peak to have in the center of a big city, providing a dramatic rocky conclusion to the magnificent Holyrood Park. Edinburgh may offer several beautiful viewpoints, like Corstorphine Hill, Calton Hill, Blackford Hill, and the Braid Hills, but this volcanic peak is without a doubt the best.
5. Ben Hogh, Isle of Coll
Ben Hogh is the tallest summit (and arguably the least known) on the stunning Isle of Coll. At just 104 meters high, the island may not seem like a good place to go hillwalking, but the surroundings are actually rugged and spectacular, with some of the best beaches you'll ever see around it. Starting with a climb up Ben Hogh is a good idea.
6. Bennachie, Aberdeenshire
Although Clachnaben boasts a magnificent top tor, Bennachie is undeniably the little hill in Aberdeenshire. It is simply a small range with many summits topped by Oxen Craig, but its most notable feature is without a doubt the magnificent peak of the Mither Tap and the iron-age fort.
7. Eaval, North Uist
Climbing Eaval, also known as Eabhal in Gaelic, offers a distinctive hillwalking experience because the central region of North Uist appears to be more water than terrain. The view from this hill makes the effort worthwhile, even though it requires a little more work than some of the other hills on the list.
8. Plockton Crags, Lochalsh
Nestled against this range of towering craggs and their lower slopes of pine trees is one of Scotland's most gorgeous communities. The ascent follows paths that lead to the communication mast atop Carn a' Bhealaich Mhoir summit, but continuing a short distance beyond affords a breathtaking perspective of the village below and stretching across Loch Carron to the Applecross peaks.
9. Ben Tianavaig, Isle of Skye
The bridge leading to Scotland's most famous island, Isle of Skye, is located not far from Plockton. The massive rock summits of the Cuillin, the scree-girt Red Hills, and the striking views of the Trotternish peninsula are the most well-known features of a beautiful region. Lesser-known is this small hill to the south of Portree. Ben Tianavaig, with its remarkable shape reminiscent of the much higher Storr to the north, is a wonderful hill to climb on its own, offering breathtaking views of much of the island.
10. Conic Hill, Loch Lomond
For the majority of Scots, we are now back in familiar territory. If you are willing to put up a little extra effort, the views from Conic Hill, which gaze directly along the chain of islands on the Highland Boundary Fault, are simply unmatched. Duncryne, often known as the Dumpling, offers an amazing view with minimal exertion atop Gartocharn.