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Scolty


(Average user rating2 unrated 2/5)

About Scolty

Scolty has something for everyone. Whether you want a pleasant stroll through the wood or a more energetic walk to the top of Scolty Hill, this wood has lots to offer.

The white trail leads you to the edge of the forest where you can choose your route onto Scolty Hill. The monument on the top is to General Burnett, who fought alongside the Duke of Wellington. A spiral staircase inside it leads you up to the very top of the tower and offers a tremendous view up and down Deeside.

Don't be concerned if you don't like heights though - the view from Scolty Hill alone is special, a real panorama of the surrounding countryside.

Scolty is less than five minutes drive across the River Dee from Banchory.  If you are feeling energetic, you can easily walk there from Banchory.

You can download a copy of our Aberdeenshire Walks leaflet in What's of Interest. If you want larger scale versions of the trail maps, please follow the link to any of the trails. Each will have a downloadable map, including distances and times.

  • Check before you go - for details of trail closures, diversions and changes to listed events see the updates page.

Parking

There is ample parking at Scolty. Also picnic benches nearby where you can sit and enjoy a well-earned break after your walk.

Please note the following Car Park Charges

  • Any vehicle for 1hr - £1.00
  • Car for up to 3hrs - £1.50
  • Car all day - £2.00
  • Minibus/coach all day - £8.00
  • Annual Season Tickets are also available 

  • Travel by bus?

    Take the 201 from Aberdeen to Banchory (hourly service), getting off in town centre. You'll need to walk to Scolty from there which will take about 20 minutes.

     Scolty Woodland Park Association

    Scolty Wood is managed with the help of the local community, through Scolty Woodland Park Association. If you would like to become involved, email Elsa Brown at elsa.tkbrown@virgin.net.

     

    How to get there:

    Scolty lies to the south of Banchory, just over the River Dee. There is a car park there, or people can walk in from Banchory.

    The car park is roughly 1.75 km from the traffic lights in Banchory.
    Take the B976 south at the traffic lights, cross over the River Dee, take the first public road to the right, then the next public road to the left.
    Near the top of the hill turn right along a track past the Scolty sign board, and take the next track to the right again past another sign board. The car park is on your left roughly 30m along this track. For Sat Nav use postcode AB31 6PT.
    Banchory, Auchattie, and Strachan are the nearest towns or villages.
    OS Grid Reference: NO691950
    For details of public transport visit http://www.travelinescotland.com

    What's on in Forests of Moray and Aberdeenshire

    June

    July

    View all events
    Walk up Scolty Hill, Aberdeenshire

    Facilities:

    Parking ChargeInformation

    Activities

    PicnicView Point
    Walking There are two waymarked walks.
    March Trail
    Craigloch Trail

    Contact:

    Forest District Office

    01466 794161
    e-mail: moray&aberdeenshire

    User Comments

    Mountain bikers are doing nothing wrong. Fair enough with the jumps but it says on the map that the area mountain bikers use so if people have a problem with us just don't use that path and also most walkers don't have any consideration for bikers even though we are always on alert just incase we meet a walker on the track.

    Anonymous, 19/Nov/2012
    2 Stars 2 Stars

    Not even a walk in the woods is free anymore! This country is going down the drain! No wonder kids are obese as are adults! The little Greenland left that hasn't been built on is just being used as a stealth tax. Do our taxes pay for anything these days bar the bankers bonuses?

    Dave, 21/Jul/2012

    The walk is absolutely free. It's parking the car that is being charged...and we still have car parks at many other forest that are free of charge.

    Forestry Commission Response
    4 Stars 4 Stars

    Lovely scenic walks with great views BUT please stop mountain bikers wrecking all the footpaths!

    Anonymous, 7/May/2012
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    What's of interest

    Forests of Aberdeenshire guide

    Download the Forests of Aberdeenshire guide (PDF 4Mb)

    Download the Scolty section only 

    Moray & Aberdeenshire forests newsletter

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