Ben Bhraggie – Golspie's hill and its view
Ben Bhraggie is the hill that stands over Golspie, 397 metres high, with a tall monument on its summit that can be seen for miles along the Sutherland coast.
A steep climb through the forest and over the heather brings you out on top, and on a clear day the view runs from the Caithness coast to the Moray shore and the far Cairngorms. A good half day for anyone happy on a steady, stony climb.
- Time
- Three to four hours there and back.
- The path
- A steep, stepped path up the front of the hill, or a longer forest trail round the back.
- Where to start
- The Highland Wildcat mountain bike trails car park in Golspie, north of Fountain Road.
- Set off
- In daylight, on a clear, settled day; from November to February set off by 11am.
- When to go
- All year in clear, settled weather; from November to February, set off by 11am.
- Dogs
- Keep dogs close: mountain bikers use the same forest.
- Children
- A steep climb, best for older children used to walking.
- Toilets
- None on the hill.
- Before you set out
- In low cloud or a strong wind, save it for another day.
The walk
Park at the Highland Wildcat mountain bike trails car park in Golspie, north of Fountain Road, where the climb starts in the forest. There are two ways up: straight up the front of the hill on a steep, stepped path, or round the back on the wider forest trail, which is easier going but longer. By the forest trail it's about 9 km there and back, with a climb of about 400 metres: allow three to four hours.
The statue on the summit is of the first Duke of Sutherland, and locals call it the Mannie. On a clear day the view takes in the East Caithness coast, the Moray coast with the Cairngorms far off, and the Kyle of Sutherland. The top is open and exposed: in low cloud or a strong wind the view is gone and it's cold, so save it for a clear, settled day, with warm layers and waterproofs.
From November to February, set off by 11am to be down in daylight. Mountain bikers use the same forest, so keep to the walkers' path and keep dogs close.
If it rains
Open hill on top with no shelter, and no view at all in low cloud. In rain or a strong wind, leave it for a clearer day.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Links House at Royal Dornoch in Dornoch, 7 miles away.
Where to eat
Golspie Inn, a restaurant in Golspie.
For further reading, before you go.
Photograph by Victoria Maguire via Google