Monument To The Fourth Earl Of Aberdeen, Hill Of Ythsie

The Monument to the Fourth Earl of Aberdeen on the Hill of Ythsie is a red granite tower standing near Ythanbank and Tarves in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Locals simply call it the Prop of Ythsie. It crowns a modest hill and gives one of the widest views over the farmland of Formartine.

Who is it for, and when was it built?

The tower went up in 1861-62 to honour George Hamilton-Gordon, the 4th Earl of Aberdeen, who served as British Prime Minister in the 19th century. Tenants of his Haddo Estate raised the money, reportedly in recognition of the improvements he made on their land. A plaque above the doorway, presented by the tenantry, records his dates of birth and death.

What does the tower look like?

It is a square, 25 m tower of coursed red granite with dressed corners and a crenellated parapet carried on corbels. A spiral stair inside climbs to the top; visitors count 91 steps. Walkers' accounts describe the steps as uneven and dark in places, so sturdy footwear helps. The monument is a Category C(S) listed building (Historic Environment Scotland, LB13883). Gordon District Council restored it in 1992, and further repairs followed in August 2012.

What can you see from the hill?

The Hill of Ythsie reaches 119 m above sea level, about 2 km east of Tarves. It rises clear of the surrounding fields, so the hilltop and the tower look out across a broad sweep of Aberdeenshire's farming country. A stone circle lies nearby, signposted from the B999.

How do you get there?

Take the B999 near Tarves and follow the signs for the Prop of Ythsie. A car park at the hill starts a short path of roughly 1 km with about 50 m of climbing. Another option is the car park about 500 m up Ythsie Road on the left, which is around a 20-minute walk from the tower. The route is easy for most visitors, including families.

When should you visit?

Choose a clear day, when visibility lets you enjoy the panorama. The summit is exposed, so rain and strong wind make it unpleasant and the path can turn muddy. The walk combines well with other sights around Tarves, such as the stone circle.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the walk to the tower? From the hill car park it is about 1 km. From the car park on Ythsie Road it takes around 20 minutes.

How tall is the tower and how many steps are there? It is about 25 m high, and visitors report 91 steps on the spiral stair.

Does the National Trust for Scotland run it? We found no evidence of that. The monument is a listed building recorded by Historic Environment Scotland as LB13883.

Why was it built? Tenants of the Haddo Estate paid for it as a memorial to the 4th Earl of Aberdeen, who was also Prime Minister.