Donald · Southern Uplands
Ballencleuch Law
The highest of the eastern Lowther Hills, Ballencleuch Law stands above the Dalveen Pass between Durisdeer and Wanlockhead. A scatter of stones beside a fence corner marks the summit, with the radar domes on Green Lowther catching the eye to the north-west.
Quick facts
- Height
- 691.4m/ 2268ft
- Prominence
- 204 m
- Grid ref
- NS935049
- Parking
- NS981018
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 29km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
grass moorland 80% · heather patches 15% · summit area 5%
Most ascents start from the A702 at Dalveen, climbing the steep grass nose of Wedder Dod and then following the watershed fence south. A little under 9km round trip with 460m of ascent and good fence-line navigation throughout.
Terrain
Close-cropped sheep grass with a few wet runnels in the upper coire. The fence-line ridge has a thin sheep trod most of the way. Almost no rock; just the occasional boulder where the ground breaks.
In winter
Snow drifts deeply against the watershed fence and can form a small corniced wreath on the east side of the summit dome. The Dalveen Pass closes early in heavy storms — check road status before driving up from Thornhill.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 39m
- Edinburgh2h 49m
OS maps: OS Landranger 78
Mobile signal: Good signal throughout; EE and O2 reliable. Southern Uplands viewpoint.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:57
- Sunset
- 21:45
- Civil dawn
- 04:04
- Civil dusk
- 22:38
NOAA Solar Calculator · 17 July 2026
Around Ballencleuch Law on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Ballencleuch Law — common questions
- How hard is Ballencleuch Law?
- We grade Ballencleuch Law at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. Underfoot: Close-cropped sheep grass with a few wet runnels in the upper coire.
- What is Ballencleuch Law's prominence?
- 204m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Ballencleuch Law to the next higher ground.
- Where do I park for Ballencleuch Law?
- Most walkers start from NS981018. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Ballencleuch Law?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Ballencleuch Law. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Ballencleuch Law dog-friendly?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Ballencleuch Law?
- Good signal throughout; EE and O2 reliable. Southern Uplands viewpoint.
- Is Ballencleuch Law safe in winter?
- Snow drifts deeply against the watershed fence and can form a small corniced wreath on the east side of the summit dome. The Dalveen Pass closes early in heavy storms — check road status before driving up from Thornhill.
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