The Caterthuns and Strathmore Circuit

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The Caterthuns and Strathmore Circuit: Iron Age Hillfort Walk

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

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Ranked #948 of 974

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HikeList Score

The Caterthuns and Strathmore Circuit scored 65/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 55
Balanced challenge 60
Scenery & wildness 98
Varied terrain 59
Accommodation 45
Food & support 38
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 89

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Caterthuns walk is a short, easy hill walk in Angus, Scotland, visiting two Iron Age hillforts: Brown Caterthun and White Caterthun. The supported route is about 3 km, takes around 1–1.5 hours, and is an out-and-back from a roadside layby between the two summits. It suits walkers wanting a quick historical hilltop route, broad Strathmore views and modest ascent, rather than a long-distance hike.

Route Overview

Start and finish at the roadside layby on the minor road between the forts, signed from the B966 between Brechin/Little Brechin and Edzell, near Kirkton of Menmuir. From the central parking spot, visit White Caterthun west of the road on a clear path, then return to the layby and walk east to Brown Caterthun on a sometimes muddy heather/Land Rover track. Despite the "circuit" name, this is a short there-and-back walk to two neighbouring hillforts about 1 km apart, not a long valley loop. If you want a longer Scottish route, compare the Arran Coastal Way or the Annandale Way.

Iron Age hillforts above Strathmore

Brown Caterthun and White Caterthun are among Scotland’s notable Iron Age hilltop enclosures, treated almost as a paired site on neighbouring summits. Brown Caterthun’s concentric earthworks were raised and altered over several centuries in the latter half of the first millennium BC. White Caterthun’s large dry-stone rampart is usually linked to the Picts or their predecessors in the early centuries AD, with evidence of vitrification. Both monuments have been scheduled since 1882 and are cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.

Notable highlights

White Caterthun (298 m): An exceptionally well-preserved Iron Age hillfort with a massive collapsed oval stone rampart and ditches. It gives wide views over Strathmore and is the high point of the walk.
Brown Caterthun (287 m): A contrasting fort defined by concentric earthen ramparts and ditches, with several entrances radiating outwards. The approach is rougher and can be muddy.
Views over Strathmore and the Angus glens: Both summits look south across the Strathmore valley and north towards the Grampian foothills and Angus glens.
Iron Age heritage: The paired forts show different styles of hilltop enclosure and help explain why this high ground commanded the Strathmore corridor.

Challenges to expect

This is an easy walk, but it crosses exposed low hill terrain. Expect wind on the tops, no shelter, and no toilets, cafe or other facilities at the layby. The path to White Caterthun is clear and short; the Brown Caterthun approach is rougher and can be muddy through heather. Navigation is simple in clear weather, though suitable footwear is worthwhile after rain.

948

Ranked #948 of 974

See the Top 100 →