Ladylea Hill
Ladylea Hill - heather clad hill above the River Don
North of the upper River Don, Ladylea Hill is a bit of a controversial summit. Once included in the original Grahams list, it was later removed after being re-measured below 2,000ft. However, with the Grahams redefined to include hills between 600m and 762m, Ladylea Hill has regained its place.Ladylea Hill
| Height | 609.1m |
| Prominence | 201m |
| Meaning | from 'leathad liath' meaning grey slope |
| Lists | Grahams |
| Location | The Ladder Hills, Cairngorms and North East Grampians |
| Grid Ref | NJ343168 |
| Lat/Lon | 57.23718, -3.09004 |
Overlooking the upper reaches of the River Don to the south, Ladylea Hill lies within the largely forested Candacraig Estate. The surrounding woodland is being planted with native tree species as part of a rewilding initiative aimed at encouraging biodiversity, supporting native wildlife, and promoting carbon capture - contributing to long-term ecological restoration.
Ladylea Hill has also sparked debate among hillwalkers and list-baggers. Initially included in the original Grahams list (now often referred to as the 'old Grahams' or 'Fionas'), it was removed after a re-survey measured its height at under 2,000 feet. However, with the Grahams redefined in metric terms to include summits from 600m to 762m, Ladylea Hill has been reinstated, reclaiming its place among Scotland's celebrated lesser hills.
There is a network of estate tracks that travel through the forests on Ladylea Hill's slopes. Following some of these tracks, the most direct route to the hill's summit, and possibly the most scenic, begins from Invernettie Farm to the south of the hill.
Routes up Ladylea Hill
Ladylea Hill from Invernettie | |
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An easy and straightforward walk on estate tracks through forestry, leading to the summit cairn of Ladylea Hill, which stands on a broad, heather-clad shoulder. Peaks : 1 Graham
Ascent : 410m (1350ft) Distance : 7km (4m) Time : 2:20hr |
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