Scotland
Moncreiffe Hill
223M
732FT
About Moncreiffe Hill
Rising as a prominent, wooded spine just south of Perth, this accessible Marilyn offers a sheltered ascent through dense Woodland Trust forests. While the climb is mostly under canopy, the open summit of Moredun Top reveals an expansive panorama over the winding River Tay and the city below.
Key Statistics
Rank
236th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Central Scotland
Prominence
?
185m
Nearest Town
West Kinfauns
Geology
You are walking across ancient lava flows from the Ochil Volcanic Formation. These rugged slopes are built from hardened volcanic rock that once erupted here.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NO135199
Latitude
56.3642°N
Longitude
3.4005°W
Did You Know?
- •The name Moncreiffe is derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'Monadh Craoibhe', which translates to 'Hill of the Tree'—a fitting description for a ridge that has remained heavily forested for centuries.
- •The summit area, known as Moredun Top, is home to the remains of an Iron Age hillfort. Its strategic position allowed its inhabitants to monitor the vital confluence of the River Tay and the River Earn.
- •In 1565, the hill's timber was harvested for military use; wood from Moncreiffe was specifically selected to build the heavy carriages required to mount the cannons of Mary, Queen of Scots.
- •The summit provides an excellent vantage point for geography students and walkers alike, offering clear views of the Friarton Bridge and the North Inch in Perth, backed by the distant Sidlaw Hills to the northeast.
- •While it provides a peaceful escape for locals, the hill is most familiar to thousands of motorists as the looming green wall that signals the final mile of the M90 motorway journey into Perth.