Milquhanzie Hill

Milquhanzie Hill is the kind of modest bump that motorists ignore while speeding toward the larger Munros. At 351 metres, it serves as a tactical incline, offering lovely views of the Strathearn valley without the ego-driven crowds or the oxygen-deprived delirium found on higher peaks.

• •Geologically, it sits on the doorstep of the Highland Boundary Fault, acting as a gateway between the rolling Strathearn valley and the rugged Perthshire interior. It is the exact point where the landscape decides to stop being polite and starts getting serious.
• •The name is an anglicized version of the Gaelic 'Meall na h-Eangan', which translates to 'Hill of the Stags' feet'. Historically, it was a prime spot for deer stalking long before it became a prime spot for getting lost in the heather.
• •While most hikers bypass this hill for the nearby Ben Chonzie, Milquhanzie offers a far superior 'backstage' view of the Melville Monument on Dun More. It provides a vantage point that lets you look down on the monuments that other people are currently struggling to climb.
• •The eastern slopes are drained by the Shaggie Burn, a watercourse that sounds like a questionable 1970s detective show. It creates a lush, damp environment that is perfect for local wildlife and for soaking the socks of any hiker who underestimates the terrain.
• •Navigating the lower slopes is less of a hike and more of a 'choose-your-own-adventure' through waist-high bracken. You will likely spend more time negotiating with a stubborn gorse bush than you will actually walking on a recognisable path.