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Angus

The Brown and White Caterthuns

Two great Iron Age hill forts on neighbouring hills above Strathmore, west of Edzell, ringed by ramparts and ditches, with wide views over Angus.

Welcome

West of Edzell, where the farmland of Strathmore rises to meet the Angus hills, two rounded summits stand about a kilometre apart, and each is crowned by the remains of a great hill fort.

These are the Brown and White Caterthuns, among the most impressive Iron Age hilltop enclosures in Scotland.

The White Caterthun is circled by a great pale ring of tumbled stone, with more earthworks around it, and the Brown Caterthun on the next hill is ringed by earthworks of its own. They probably date from the first millennium BC, though finds suggest people came here far earlier, and they may have been places of gathering and ceremony as much as defence.

A car park on the road between them makes both an easy climb, and from the tops the view runs far across Strathmore.

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The Daily for 10 November, from Scotland with love. Aerial view of a concrete road bridge with angled supports spanning a sea loch, twin cloud-wrapped mountain peaks rising behind autumn-coloured hills.
Not farGlamis CastleThe seat of the Earls of Strathmore since 1372 in Angus, the Queen Mother's childhood home and the birthplace of Princess Margaret.16 milesSee itGlamis Castle

Before you go

Free, at any time.

A car park on the minor road between the two hills, west of Edzell, gives short climbs to both forts.

Where
West of Edzell, on the minor road between the two hills.
Age
Probably the first millennium BC.

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Where it is

On two hills west of Edzell, above Strathmore.

Close byEdzell.
  1. Edzell Castle's red ruin and its walled garden seen from the air.Edzell CastleThe Lindsays' red sandstone castle and its walled garden of 1604.4 miles 7 min by road
  2. Sinclair's Larder's purple shopfront and planted terrace on Edzell High Street.Sinclair’s LarderA bright café bistro on Edzell's High Street, with fresh seasonal food, home baking and good coffee, open seven days a week.5 miles 7 min by road
  3. The North Esk tumbling through its wooded gorge among autumn leaves.Edzell Blue Door WalkThrough a blue door to the gorge of the North Esk.6 miles 9 min by road
  4. Walker in yellow coat balances on frosty rocks beside a riverRiver North EskStretching 47 kilometres from Scotland’s eastern coast, just north of Montrose, to the Water of Lee in the Cairngorms6 miles 10 min by road
  5. The tall stone Royal Arch over the street in Fettercairn.The Arch Café and BistroA cosy café and bistro by Fettercairn's royal arch, with gluten-free baking and a Friday chippy night.9 miles 13 min by road
  6. Church nave with wooden pews facing a stained glass window and organ pipesBrechin CathedralA medieval cathedral with a round tower.11 miles 18 min by road
Directions
The tall copper stills in Fettercairn's stillhouse, among steel walkways.AttractionsFettercairn Distillery9.8 miles
The stone buildings and pagoda-roofed kiln of Glencadam Distillery, Brechin.AttractionsGlencadam Distillery11 miles
The green and cream station building of the Caledonian Railway at Brechin.AttractionsCaledonian Railway11 miles
The River South Esk running clear over rocks between wooded banks.AttractionsRiver South Esk11 miles
Green sign reading "Garden Centre Coffee Shop" above a shop entrance with £1 pounder displaysActivityBrechin Castle Centre12 miles
A green sitting room with a blue sofa, a leather and sheepskin armchair and a rustic coffee table before a tall window with red curtains, looking out to pine forest and a valley.StrachanThe Hay Loft at GlendyeSleeps 4 · 13 miles
Stone arched bridge spanning a wide river beneath a cloudy blue skyAttractionsBridge of Dun15 miles
Sandstone mansion with columned entrance, chimneys and flag against a cloudy skyAttractionsHouse of Dun15 miles
The white front of the Retreat at Tarfside, with tall chimneys and a red-framed window.AttractionsGlenesk Folk Museum15 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the forts, and when each is next free.

Timber cabin with metal roof and decking surrounded by woodland treesNorth Lodge and River Cabin
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Banchory
  • 13 miles from the Caterthuns
Free 11–12 NovA stone cottage with dormer windows stands behind a low pale blue gate, a bare-branched arch over the path to the front door and frost on the lawn.Gamekeeper’s Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Strachan
  • 13 miles from the Caterthuns
Free 11–12 NovA green sitting room with a blue sofa, a leather and sheepskin armchair and a rustic coffee table before a tall window with red curtains, looking out to pine forest and a valley.The Hay Loft at Glendye
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Strachan
  • 13 miles from the Caterthuns
Free 16–17 NovA stone cottage with a slated roof and black stove pipe sits beside a gravel drive, foxgloves and wildflowers lining the path.No 4 Steading Cottage
  • Sleeps 7
  • In Strachan
  • 13 miles from the Caterthuns
Free 12–13 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in AngusAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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