Battlehill Wood

Wood, Forest in Aberdeenshire

Scotland

Battlehill Wood

Huntly Signal Box Just outside Huntly, beside the line to Aberdeen. — Huntly Signal Box Credit: Anne Burgess

Battlehill Wood is a picturesque forest located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Covering an area of approximately 100 hectares, it is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The wood is situated on a hill, providing visitors with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

The woodland is predominantly made up of native broadleaf trees, including oak, birch, and rowan. These trees create a diverse and rich habitat for a wide range of wildlife species. Visitors can expect to spot various bird species such as woodpeckers, owls, and songbirds, as well as mammals like red squirrels and roe deer.

A network of well-maintained trails winds through Battlehill Wood, allowing visitors to explore the area at their own pace. These trails are suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities, with some paths being wheelchair accessible. Along the way, there are informative signs providing details about the flora and fauna found within the wood.

In addition to its natural beauty, Battlehill Wood also has historical significance. The wood was once the site of a fierce battle between two rival clans in the 17th century. Today, remnants of the battle can still be seen, including a stone memorial and a small burial ground.

Whether it is for a leisurely stroll, birdwatching, or simply to enjoy the tranquility of nature, Battlehill Wood offers a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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Battlehill Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.446227/-2.7658466 or Grid Reference NJ5439. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Huntly Signal Box

Just outside Huntly, beside the line to Aberdeen.

Anne Burgess

Huntly Castle

The main building from the south west. This was the third castle to be built on the site and dates from the late 15th century with remodelling in 1550 and further decorated in the early 17th century. Now a Scheduled Monument.

Alan Murray-Rust

Playing fields near Huntly Castle

Home to, among others, Huntly Rugby Football Club.

Alan Murray-Rust

Jake Forbes Close, Huntly

To the left, barely visible, a group of houses built around 1800, Listed Category C. On the right is 58 Bogie Street, dated 1793 although the looks are older and the Canmore entry indicates that title deeds date back to 1745/6. Listed Category B.

Alan Murray-Rust

Huntly Station â north end signals

The station remained entirely mechanically signalled in 2022, except that the north loop points are electrically operated. A feature that probably dates from the singling of the line – it was formerly double track – is that both tracks through the station are signalled for use in both directions, unusual with mechanical signalling.

Alan Murray-Rust

Huntly Station â south end signals and signal box

The station remained entirely mechanically signalled in 2022. A feature that probably dates from the singling of the line – it was formerly double track – is that both tracks through the station are signalled for use in both directions, unusual with mechanical signalling.

Alan Murray-Rust

Huntly Station â former goods shed

Typical Great North of Scotland Railway building using the traditional stonework using rectangular blocks with small infill strips.

Alan Murray-Rust

Huntly Station â looking towards Inverness

Modern station building on the far platform.

Alan Murray-Rust

Huntly signal box and home signals

The station area signalling is almost entirely still mechanical. See also Link For a limited installation, there is a good deal of interest, with the bracketed signal post, shunting dolly (signal), twin speed restriction signs and a milepost outside the box. The box is not listed but does have an entry in the Aberdeenshire Historical Environment Record, which dates it to the late 19th century. This refers to it as a 'gate box', i.e. not controlling the passage of trains between sections, being subordinate to a full section box at the station, but the latter has since disappeared, and the box has full signal box status again.

Alan Murray-Rust

Huntly signal box (detail) and milepost

Close up of the point rodding and signal wires at a traditional mechanical signal box, by 2022 becoming increasingly rare. The milepost indicates a distance of 40 ½ miles from the start of the line at Aberdeen. Many railway companies indicated the quarter miles by dots or bars as being easier to spot from a moving train than numeric fractions.

Alan Murray-Rust