Donald · Borders
Hillshaw Head
Hillshaw Head joins the Culter Fell ridge to Coomb Dod and the Megget watershed on the long Tweedsmuir spine. A modest cairn ten metres east of the watershed fence marks the highest patch of grass on a wide rolling top.
Quick facts
- Height
- 652m/ 2139ft
- Prominence
- 54 m
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 535 m
- Time
- 3–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NT048246
- Parking
- NT051253
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 49km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
grass moorland 80% · heather patches 15% · summit area 5%
Most often climbed from the Culter Fell side, traversing along the watershed fence for an out-and-back. About 16km return with 700m of climb when linked with Culter Fell.
Terrain
Grass and peat-hag plateau with the fence as the only navigation feature. Some wet sections in the saddle west of the summit.
In winter
Long-lying snow patches in the hollows north of the cairn. The fence is the lifeline in whiteout — there is nothing else to orient by on the plateau.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow1h 27m
- Edinburgh1h 17m
OS maps: OS Landranger 72
Mobile signal: Good summit signal; EE seldom drops. Fine Tweedsmuir moorland viewpoint.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:49
- Sunset
- 21:51
- Civil dawn
- 03:54
- Civil dusk
- 22:46
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 2026
Around Hillshaw Head on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Hillshaw Head — common questions
- How hard is Hillshaw Head?
- We grade Hillshaw Head at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. The usual route is around 13km with 535m of climbing; allow 3-6 hours. Ground conditions: Grass and peat-hag plateau with the fence as the only navigation feature.
- How much drop does Hillshaw Head have?
- The drop is 54m: measured from the summit of Hillshaw Head down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Hillshaw Head?
- Park at NT051253. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
- What's the best month to climb Hillshaw Head?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November on Hillshaw Head. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Hillshaw Head?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Hillshaw Head?
- Good summit signal; EE seldom drops. Fine Tweedsmuir moorland viewpoint.
- Is Hillshaw Head safe in winter?
- Long-lying snow patches in the hollows north of the cairn. The fence is the lifeline in whiteout — there is nothing else to orient by on the plateau.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.