How hard is Black Hill?

Black Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Farm tracks and stiles low down, then sheep pasture and a few clumps of gorse on the climb.

When is the best time to climb Black Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Black Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.

Can I bring my dog up Black Hill?

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

How hard is Black Hill?

Black Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Farm tracks and stiles low down, then sheep pasture and a few clumps of gorse on the climb.

When is the best time to climb Black Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Black Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.

Can I bring my dog up Black Hill?

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: Iain Lees / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

Submit a photo

Marilyn · Borders

Black Hill

This Black Hill is the 314m roadside Marilyn near Earlston in the NT-prefix Berwickshire borderlands. Low and approachable, but with enough prominence above the Leader and Gala valleys to provide a genuine top.

Quick facts

Height: 314m/ 1030ft
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NT 58549 37011
Nearest city: Edinburgh· 49km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

No GPX track yet

Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.

Submit your GPX

Standard route

grass moorland 65% · heather 25% · boggy ground 10%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A short walk from minor roads near Earlston follows farm tracks before a steep but brief grassy climb to the summit. Around 4km return, 1-2 hours.

Terrain

Farm tracks and stiles low down, then sheep pasture and a few clumps of gorse on the climb. A small cairn marks the top.

In winter

A quick winter outing at low altitude — passable even in poor weather, though gates and stiles can ice up after a hard frost.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow4h 9m
Edinburgh2h 36m

OS maps: OS Landranger 73, OS Landranger 74, OS Explorer 338, OS Explorer 339W

Mobile signal: Good. Scottish Borders; EE solid. Vodafone also works on this summit.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 31mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:29
Sunset: 21:58
Civil dawn: 03:28
Civil dusk: 22:59

NOAA Solar Calculator · 27 June 2026

Got a photo of Black Hill?

30 seconds, helps other walkers.

Submit a photo

Walked it with a GPX?

From your watch or phone.

Submit GPX

Trip report?

Share what it was actually like.

Get in touch →

Around Black Hill on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Tweedbank station

Borders Railway terminus; Eildon Hills, Melrose, Tweed Valley

4km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Black Hill — common questions

How hard is Black Hill?: Black Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Farm tracks and stiles low down, then sheep pasture and a few clumps of gorse on the climb.
When is the best time to climb Black Hill?: The standard good-weather months for Black Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
Can I bring my dog up Black Hill?: 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 Black Hill?: Good. Scottish Borders; EE solid. Vodafone also works on this summit.
Is Black Hill safe in winter?: A quick winter outing at low altitude — passable even in poor weather, though gates and stiles can ice up after a hard frost.

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.