Barnhill is located in the north east of Broughty Ferry and extends to the city boundary between Dundee and Angus.

The area borders the recent Balgillo Park housing development and, at North Balmossie Street, with Monifieth.

The main commercial area is the Campfield Shopping Square which includes a post office, a pub named The Barn as well as Co-Operative Food and Iceland stores.

Barnhill was a Ward of Dundee City Council, returning Conservative Councillor Bruce Mackie.

Balmossie railway station, on the Edinburgh to Aberdeen line, is close to Barnhill, but is actually situated just inside the neighbouring town of Monifieth.