Scotland
Black Hill of Mark
773M
2536FT
About Black Hill of Mark
Sitting remotely at the head of Glen Mark, this rounded, heather-clad summit offers a sense of profound isolation. Rising to 773 metres, its broad plateau is characterized by deep peat hags and high moorland. It serves as a quiet, windswept neighbor to the more popular cone of Mount Keen.
Key Statistics
Rank
78th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Lochaber
Prominence
?
40.7m
Nearest Town
Aberdeenshire
Geology
The ground here is made of the Queen's Hill Formation, a tough blend of hardened sandstones and mudstones that creates the fell’s solid structure.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NO324814
Latitude
56.9190°N
Longitude
3.1120°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from its position overlooking Glen Mark; while 'Mark' can mean a boundary, it likely stems from the Gaelic 'marc', meaning horse, indicating the glen's historical use for grazing or as a transit route for ponies.
- •The hill marks a significant watershed point where rainfall on the southern slopes flows into the Water of Mark toward the Angus Glens, while the northern side drains toward the River Dee via Glen Muick.
- •To the north, the distinctive profile of Mount Keen is the dominant landmark, while looking westward across the depths of Glen Muick reveals the extensive cliffs and corries of the Lochnagar massif.
- •Approaches usually involve long walk-ins from either Invermark in the south or the Spittal of Glenmuick in the north, making it a peak frequented mostly by those seeking the solitude of the high Mounth interior.
- •Navigating the summit plateau in mist is a classic test of Highland mountain craft, as the featureless terrain and sprawling peat hags offer almost no visual cues to the unwary walker.