Is Blackhope Scar a hard climb?

Blackhope Scar is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 12km with 480m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Underfoot: Heather and bog cotton on the plateau; the upper ridge has firmer turf.

What is Blackhope Scar's prominence?

283m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Blackhope Scar to the next higher ground.

Where do I park for Blackhope Scar?

Most walkers start from NT347465. 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 Blackhope Scar?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Blackhope Scar. 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 Blackhope Scar dog-friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Borders

Blackhope Scar

Blackhope Scar is the second-highest of the Moorfoot Hills, a broad rounded top above the Gladhouse Reservoir and the upper Esk. The summit is unmarked but for a small cairn at the crown of the moor — a fine wild spot within sight of Edinburgh.

Quick facts

Height: 651.8m/ 2138ft
Prominence: 283 m
Distance: ~12 km
Ascent: ~480 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT315483
Parking: NT347465
Nearest city: Edinburgh· 26km
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%

12km · 480m ascent · 3.2 hrs

From the Glentress or Gladhouse road end, climb the east ridge onto the broad plateau and follow it to the cairn. Around 12km return with 480m of climb.

Terrain

Heather and bog cotton on the plateau; the upper ridge has firmer turf. Faint estate tracks run partway up the hill.

In winter

Snow lingers in the corrie heads above the Glentress forest. Wind funnels straight off the Pentlands and the top scours bare in easterlies.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Blackhope Scar. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS Southern Uplands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 46m
Edinburgh1h 37m

Parking: NT347465

OS maps: OS Landranger 73

Mobile signal: Good summit signal; EE and Vodafone dependable. Fine viewpoint over Tweeddale.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 51mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:40
Sunset: 18:17
Civil dawn: 07:03
Civil dusk: 18:54

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Blackhope Scar.

Two-hill day
Blackhope Scar + Windlestraw Law
Link two Moorfoot Donalds for a smooth grass traverse
14km · 600m ascent · 5 hrs

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Around Blackhope Scar on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Edinburgh Haymarket

West-end Edinburgh; Highland departures; Murrayfield

26km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Glenkinchie

Pencaitland — Edinburgh's neighbour; light, grassy Lowlander

22km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Blackhope Scar — common questions

Is Blackhope Scar a hard climb?: Blackhope Scar is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 12km with 480m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Underfoot: Heather and bog cotton on the plateau; the upper ridge has firmer turf.
What is Blackhope Scar's prominence?: 283m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Blackhope Scar to the next higher ground.
Where do I park for Blackhope Scar?: Most walkers start from NT347465. 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 Blackhope Scar?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Blackhope Scar. 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 Blackhope Scar 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 Blackhope Scar?: Good summit signal; EE and Vodafone dependable. Fine viewpoint over Tweeddale.
Is Blackhope Scar safe in winter?: Snow lingers in the corrie heads above the Glentress forest. Wind funnels straight off the Pentlands and the top scours bare in easterlies.

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