Ord Hill, near North Kessock

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Ord Hill is a forested ridge on the Black Isle, just across the Kessock Bridge and overlooking Inverness. There are two waymarked routes from a car park on the northwest side of the hill. This route makes use of some of these paths but begins from the larger car park on the north side of the A9.

Terrain

Good waymarked forest paths and tracks; some ascent is involved.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Large car park on north side of A9 by North Kessock. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 4.5km / 2.75 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 195m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH654480

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk begins from the car park on the north side of the A9 by North Kessock; it is only accessible from the southbound carriageway. The footpath starts from the easten end of the car park beyond the (closed) toilets - there is an Ord Hill sign here but it's almost hidden behind vegetation. The path immediately curves left and heads uphill - go straight ahead at two junctions with other paths to reach a gate marking the entrance to Ordhill Forest and orienteering course. Turn right onto a path which makes a diagonally ascending route from here.

Stage 2

Follow the path round the side of the hill. Soon a junction is reached and a path heads off left up a flight of steps. Turn up this path, ascending the steps. When a track is reached go straight across up another flight of steps (signed 'To Viewpoint' and waymarked red and blue). The path now heads up through the trees to reach another junction. Our route goes straight ahead, but first it is well worth turning right and making a short detour to the viewpoint with its bench and superb views of Kessock Bridge, Inverness and the Beauly Firth.

Stage 3

After marking the detour return to the path junction and this time continue uphill following the red waymarkers between the tall Scots pines. At a junction, keep to the path that forks right from the straight line through the trees. Soon a bench is passed; keep following the red marker posts. Further on, at another junction, turn right steeply uphill - marked by a green M marker. The M stands for monument - and the tumbledown stones the path leads up through are part of the remains of the vitrified fort. Vitrified forts dating back to the iron age are common in the area; the stonework has been heated or burned to such a temperature that the rocks have melted together. How precisely or why this was done is unclear. The fort covered a large area of the summit of the hill but today is mostly lost in the trees. The highest point is however marked by a stone cairn.

Stage 4

Return from the cairn the way you came but this time keep right at the first junction. Cross over a track and then bear right at another junction, all still following the red waymarker posts. Descend a few steps to reach a bigger track, and head straight ahead along this. Soon a small car park is reached with an information board giving details of both a blue waymarked walk around the hill and our own red route up it. Turn left from the car park, signed for North Kessock, and continue on a track. Pass through a gate and keep straight along the path ahead.

Stage 5

There are some stunning views over the Beauly Firth between the trees. Continue until reaching the junction where you crossed the track (and headed uphill to the left) earlier in the walk. Fork off the track to the right here to retrace your steps on the path heading downhill back the way you came from the first car park. Turn right further down to retrace your steps to the start.

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