Hill of Persie

Rising above the Bridge of Cally in the Perthshire Highlands, this rounded, heather-clad Marilyn marks the transition between the fertile Lowlands and the rugged Grampians. A straightforward ascent rewarded by clear vistas across Strathardle, it offers a fine perspective of Mount Blair and the distant Sidlaw Hills to the south.

• •The name is likely derived from the Gaelic pearsan, meaning a parson or priest, suggesting the land was historically a church tenancy or 'portion' belonging to the local parish.
• •Despite its modest height, its status as a Marilyn—a hill with at least 150 metres of prominence—ensures it stands clear of neighbouring ground, providing a surprisingly expansive 360-degree panorama.
• •From the summit cairn, walkers can look directly down to the confluence of the Black Water and the River Ardle, which join nearby to form the River Ericht.
• •The hill overlooks a section of the Cateran Trail, a long-distance route named after the Highland cattle raiders who used these glens as corridors for moving stolen livestock in centuries past.
• •It serves as a reliable local barometer; if the Hill of Persie is lost to the mist, there is little point in continuing up the A93 to the higher peaks of Glenshee.