Hays Hillock

Hill, Mountain in Banffshire

Scotland

Hays Hillock

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Trachystemon oriENtalis) This alien is quite scarce in Scotland, and the ones here have probably escaped from a garden and established themselves in Duff House Woods.
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Trachystemon oriENtalis) Credit: Anne Burgess

Hays Hillock is a prominent hill located in the region of Banffshire, Scotland. Situated in the northeastern part of the country, it stands at an elevation of approximately 366 meters (1,201 feet) above sea level. The hill is well-known for its picturesque views and distinctive shape, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers.

Hays Hillock boasts a rounded summit, adorned with a carpet of vibrant heather and grass, especially during the summer months. Its slopes are covered with a mix of grasses, bracken, and scattered trees, creating a diverse and visually appealing landscape. The hill also offers panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside, including the rolling hills and valleys of Banffshire, as well as the nearby coastline and the North Sea.

Accessing Hays Hillock is relatively straightforward, with a number of well-defined footpaths leading to the summit. These trails are suitable for walkers of all abilities, although some sections can be steep and challenging. The hill is often frequented by locals and tourists alike, who come to enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty it offers.

In addition to its recreational value, Hays Hillock has historical significance. It is believed that the hill played a role in ancient settlements, with remnants of prehistoric structures discovered in the vicinity. These archaeological finds contribute to the area's cultural heritage and make it an interesting destination for those interested in history and archaeology.

Overall, Hays Hillock is a captivating hill in Banffshire, offering breathtaking views, diverse vegetation, and a connection to the region's past.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Hays Hillock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.638756/-2.5437123 or Grid Reference NJ6761. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Trachystemon oriENtalis) This alien is quite scarce in Scotland, and the ones here have probably escaped from a garden and established themselves in Duff House Woods.
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Trachystemon oriENtalis)
This alien is quite scarce in Scotland, and the ones here have probably escaped from a garden and established themselves in Duff House Woods.
Montcoffer House The house was renovated in about 1774 and was the residence of Lord Braco's factor William Rose. It was extended in 1880, and the house, its gates and garden walls, three game larders and a nearby doocot, are all Category B Listed. See <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB6649," rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB6649,">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB6650" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB6650">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> and <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB2896" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB2896">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> for details.
Montcoffer House
The house was renovated in about 1774 and was the residence of Lord Braco's factor William Rose. It was extended in 1880, and the house, its gates and garden walls, three game larders and a nearby doocot, are all Category B Listed. See LinkExternal link LinkExternal link and LinkExternal link for details.
Barn at Mains of Montcoffer Compare this with <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/685914">NJ6961 : Barn at Mains of Montcoffer</a>, taken 14 years earlier.
Barn at Mains of Montcoffer
Compare this with NJ6961 : Barn at Mains of Montcoffer, taken 14 years earlier.
Cottages at Montcoffer The most distant building, with bellcote, is part of steading and is Category C Listed. See <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB6651" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB6651">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> for details.
Cottages at Montcoffer
The most distant building, with bellcote, is part of steading and is Category C Listed. See LinkExternal link for details.
Mains of Montcoffer What looks like a solitary gatepost has apparently survived the removal of most of the original steading at Mains of Montcoffer.
Mains of Montcoffer
What looks like a solitary gatepost has apparently survived the removal of most of the original steading at Mains of Montcoffer.
Choice of Routes The path to the right, past the roots of the fallen tree, leads up to the ice house and the track, while the left-hand path continues at low level through the woods to the mausoleum.
Choice of Routes
The path to the right, past the roots of the fallen tree, leads up to the ice house and the track, while the left-hand path continues at low level through the woods to the mausoleum.
River Deveron This is not in fact the main channel, but a minor channel that cuts off the Scory Islands, on the left, from the riverbank. It was in spate today, thanks to melting snow upstream.
River Deveron
This is not in fact the main channel, but a minor channel that cuts off the Scory Islands, on the left, from the riverbank. It was in spate today, thanks to melting snow upstream.
Winter Aconites Most of the woodland is carpeted with Snowdrops, but for some reason this part has been planted with Winter Aconites instead.
Winter Aconites
Most of the woodland is carpeted with Snowdrops, but for some reason this part has been planted with Winter Aconites instead.
Winter Aconites (Eranthus hyemalis) A close-up of some of the swathe of Winter Aconites near the Duff House Mausoleum.
Winter Aconites (Eranthus hyemalis)
A close-up of some of the swathe of Winter Aconites near the Duff House Mausoleum.
Duff House Mausoleum The mausoleum was built in 1790 for the second Earl of Fife, to accommodate the remains of his family. I have seen it hinted at that he included some people he thought ought to be related to him, without any definite evidence that they were related. I wish the estate would undertake a little careful clearing of the trees that are getting too close to the building.
Duff House Mausoleum
The mausoleum was built in 1790 for the second Earl of Fife, to accommodate the remains of his family. I have seen it hinted at that he included some people he thought ought to be related to him, without any definite evidence that they were related. I wish the estate would undertake a little careful clearing of the trees that are getting too close to the building.
Woodland with Snowdrops Some of the acres of snowdrops in the woods near Duff House.
Woodland with Snowdrops
Some of the acres of snowdrops in the woods near Duff House.
Old Road My attention was caught by this feature. I couldn't make up my mind whether it was a road or a drainage ditch, but on consulting a more detailed map when I got home, it turns out to have been a road.
Old Road
My attention was caught by this feature. I couldn't make up my mind whether it was a road or a drainage ditch, but on consulting a more detailed map when I got home, it turns out to have been a road.
Road Bridge This bridge carries the track over <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5701394">NJ6762 : Old Road</a>. I am at a loss to see why a bridge was required here.
Road Bridge
This bridge carries the track over NJ6762 : Old Road. I am at a loss to see why a bridge was required here.
Road Bridge This is <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5701415">NJ6762 : Road Bridge</a> from the opposite side, with the remains of the <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5701394">NJ6762 : Old Road</a> passing underneath.
Road Bridge
This is NJ6762 : Road Bridge from the opposite side, with the remains of the NJ6762 : Old Road passing underneath.
Burn of Bachlaw At first I thought that the <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5701394">NJ6762 : Old Road</a> was over the burn, but the burn runs into the <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5701427">NJ6762 : Culvert Entrance</a> and bypasses the bridge altogether.
Burn of Bachlaw
At first I thought that the NJ6762 : Old Road was over the burn, but the burn runs into the NJ6762 : Culvert Entrance and bypasses the bridge altogether.
Culvert Entrance The Burn of Bachlaw disappears underground here, and reappears at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5701430">NJ6762 : Culvert Exit</a> after passing beneath the road.
Culvert Entrance
The Burn of Bachlaw disappears underground here, and reappears at NJ6762 : Culvert Exit after passing beneath the road.
Culvert Exit The Burn of Bachlaw emerges here from a culvert beneath the road, and flows on down to join the River Deveron.
Culvert Exit
The Burn of Bachlaw emerges here from a culvert beneath the road, and flows on down to join the River Deveron.
Old Milestone by the A97, Bachlaw Bridge, Banff parish Stone post by the A97, in parish of Banff (District), South end of Banff, North end of Bachlaw Bridge - stone bridge with iron railings. Southeast side of road.

Inscription reads:-
(1 MILE)
FROM
BANFF

Surveyed

Milestone Society National ID: AD_BFHN01
Old Milestone by the A97, Bachlaw Bridge, Banff parish
Stone post by the A97, in parish of Banff (District), South end of Banff, North end of Bachlaw Bridge - stone bridge with iron railings. Southeast side of road. Inscription reads:- (1 MILE) FROM BANFF Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: AD_BFHN01
Show me another place!

Hays Hillock is located at Grid Ref: NJ6761 (Lat: 57.638756, Lng: -2.5437123)

Unitary Authority: Aberdeenshire

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///cashier.certainty.scripted. Near Banff, Aberdeenshire

Related Wikis

Inchdrewer Castle

Inchdrewer Castle is a 16th-century tower house in the parish of Banff, Aberdeenshire, in the north-east of Scotland. Situated on a slight rise 3.5 miles...

Duff House

Duff House is a Georgian estate house in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, it is part of the National Galleries...

Banff Academy

Banff Academy is a S1–S6 secondary school in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It serves the towns of Banff, Macduff, Whitehills, Portsoy, Aberchirder, Gardenstown...

Duff House Royal Golf Club

Duff House Royal Golf Club is a Championship Course and one of the best golf courses in Aberdeenshire. Located in Banff, Scotland it was founded in 1910...

Macduff distillery

Macduff distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Macduff in the Highland whisky producing area of Scotland. == History == The Macduff Distillery...

Banff Sheriff Court

Banff Sheriff Court is a judicial structure in Low Street, Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The structure, which was the headquarters of Banffshire County...

Princess Royal Park

Princess Royal Park is a football ground in the town of Banff in the north-east of Scotland, which is the home ground of Highland Football League side...

Banff Town House

Banff Town House is a municipal building in Low Street, Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The building, which is used as a customer service point and job...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.638756,-2.5437123
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.6363385/-2.540627
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.6357091/-2.5406506
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.6351464/-2.5406788
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.6386691/-2.5386493
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.6378484/-2.5395029
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.6370982/-2.5401614
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.6364537/-2.5420192
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Hays Hillock?

Leave your review of Hays Hillock below (or comments, questions and feedback).