A fantastic short walk with steep climb to the summit of Scolty Hill where you can climb the spiral staircase to the top of the tower for an even better view of the surrounding countryside. The walk can easily be extended by including the red-waymarked March Trail through the woods.
A short but steep route on good paths.
Buses to Banchory.
Scolty Woodland carpark, southwest of Banchory.
To reach the Scolty Woodlands car park from Banchory take B974 south and once over the Dee turn right and follow the signs to the car park. From the car park head up to the main track heading west, ignoring the red and yellow markers heading off to the left and right. Keep straight on when the Deeside Way track heads right, and ahead again when the main track turns left. The track climbs gently to reach a wooden gate. Go through this and bear left.
Soon take a marked path on the right to head more steeply uphill. The climb is fairly strenuous but short and rewarded with great views down to Banchory and over Deeside. Soon Scolty Tower comes into view.
The tower was built as a monument to General William Burnett who fought with Wellington in the Napoleonic Wars. It has been restored a number of times and now contains a sturdy spiral staircase. At the top, a wire cage provides extra safety and as Scolty Hill is 299m high the view from the tower is fabulous. Looking east down the Dee, Aberdeen and the sea can sometimes be made out, and to the west the distinctive shapes of Morven and Mount Keen.
To the south the large tor on top of Clachnaben is clearly visible whilst to the north the Hill of Fare and Bennachie can be made out. From the tower head slightly west, immediately forking right from the main ridge route to head downhill on a good path.
The path winds down through mixed woodland and heather. Blaeberries often carpet the ground in addition to the heather in the summer months. When the path comes out on a larger route turn right. This soon returns to the junction with the wooden gate. Go straight ahead through this and follow the straight track to return to the car park. If you want to lengthen your walk the red waymarkers head in loops on either side from here - you could take a left and follow the March Trail route back to the car park.
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