Bellie Hill

Hill, Mountain in Banffshire

Scotland

Bellie Hill

Gordon Castle Farm A patch of dandelions by the roadside makes a bright foreground for the house and buildings at Gordon Castle Farm. — Gordon Castle Farm Credit: Anne Burgess

Bellie Hill is a prominent hill located in the county of Banffshire, Scotland. It stands at an elevation of approximately 207 meters (679 feet) above sea level, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Situated near the picturesque town of Fochabers, Bellie Hill is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

The hill is characterized by its gentle slopes and lush greenery, which are a result of the rich soil and favorable climatic conditions in the area. The summit of Bellie Hill is crowned with a distinctive cairn, a man-made pile of stones, which serves as a prominent landmark visible from afar.

Bellie Hill is a haven for wildlife and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The hillside is covered with a patchwork of heather, grasses, and wildflowers, providing a habitat for numerous species of birds, butterflies, and small mammals.

Hiking is a popular activity on Bellie Hill, with several well-marked trails leading to the summit. The paths are relatively easy to navigate, making the hill accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. Along the way, walkers can enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the countryside and may encounter grazing sheep or cattle.

The hill also has historical significance, with traces of ancient settlements and burial sites found in the vicinity. These archaeological remains add an extra layer of intrigue to Bellie Hill, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in the region's past.

Overall, Bellie Hill offers a tranquil retreat where visitors can immerse themselves in nature, enjoy breathtaking views, and experience the rich cultural heritage of Banffshire.

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Bellie Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.633074/-3.0843753 or Grid Reference NJ3560. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Gordon Castle Farm

A patch of dandelions by the roadside makes a bright foreground for the house and buildings at Gordon Castle Farm.

Anne Burgess

Wishart Burn

The burn drains the area of woods known as Deer Park, eventually reaching the River Spey.

Anne Burgess

Deer Park

There seems to have been some kind of road here, now almost vanished among the beech woods. It has been bypassed by a newer track which can be used to take out timber from the plantations nearby.

Anne Burgess

Gordon Castle and Baxters

Having had to turn back when the track I was following degenerated into a whin-overgrown bicycle-unfriendly path, I noticed that from the track there is a glimpse through the trees of the roof and tower of Gordon Castle, with the expanse of buildings at Baxters of Speyside in the distance.

Anne Burgess

Clear Fell on Deer Park

A section of the conifer plantation on Deer Park has been felled.

Anne Burgess

Deer Park

Part of the conifer plantation has been felled, but the broadleaved trees have been left alone.

Anne Burgess

Beech Leaves

At this time of year, the beech leaves are a bright shade of pale green which to me is one of the marks of spring.

Anne Burgess

Gordon Castle Garden

This archway is the entrance to the walled garden which served Gordon Castle. Brick retains warmth, so is preferred for walled gardens because it helps to encourage fruiting of trees trained up the wall. Some such trees are visible on the right.

Anne Burgess

Sheds at Gordon Castle Garden

Old sheds and stores outside the walled garden. It looks as if there is little use being made of them now.

Anne Burgess

Tree Stump by the Cross

The stone pillar is the Cross of the old village of Fochabers. In 1776 the Duke of Gordon, wishing to remove the huddle of cottages which had developed too close to Gordon Castle, had a new village laid out further south, and the tenants were transplanted to the new village. Only the old Cross remains to mark the spot. Somewhere near it was a large and renowned tree known as the Duchess Tree, commemorated in a tune by the composer William Marshall, but it isn't know exactly where it was. I don't think it was this stump, though it must have been a very large tree too.

Anne Burgess

The Cross

The stone pillar is what is left of the Cross of the old village of Fochabers. In 1776 the Duke of Gordon, wishing to remove the huddle of cottages which had developed too close to Gordon Castle, had a new village laid out further south, and the tenants were transplanted to the new village. Only the old Cross remains to mark the spot. At one time there were jougs attached to it. These are a sort of collar which was used to chain malefactors to expose them to public ridicule.

Anne Burgess

Gordon Castle Lake

The tranquil surroundings of the lake are even quieter now, because the direct access from the village has been cut off by the bypass roadworks. To reach the lake now means a detour longer than the walk round it when you get there. As a consequence there have been few people feeding the ducks, and the population today is markedly smaller than it used to be. The reflections of the beeches which lean down to the water are unchanged.

Anne Burgess

Fochabers Bypass

This section of the new bypass looks almost complete. It is sad that the bypass was inadequate, and in the wrong place, before the first divot was cut for its construction. There is just room for a single carriageway here between Gordon Chapel and Gordon Castle Lake, so when the traffic, as it inevitably will, outgrows a single carriageway there will be no possibility of widening the road. There was almost complete agreement locally that the bypass should go south of the village, but the Powers That Be rejected this on grounds of cost.

Anne Burgess

The Great Spey Bridge Traffic Jam

This was taken exactly ten minutes after NJ3359 : The Great Mosstodloch Traffic Jam, less than half a mile away. It doesn't do to be in a hurry to get home these days if home is anywhere near the A96. Come to think of it, it never does to be in a hurry if where you're going involves the A96; it's just that it's much worse than usual these days.

Anne Burgess

Approximate site of former Fochabers Town station, 1997

View eastward, on the A96 approaching the Spey Bridge. Fochabers Town station, the terminus of the ex-Highland Railway branch from Orbliston Junction, had been on the right: it was closed to passengers from 14/9/31 but the branch survived for goods until 28/3/66.

Ben Brooksbank