When is the best time to climb Black Mount?

The standard good-weather months for Black Mount 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 Mount?

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

When is the best time to climb Black Mount?

The standard good-weather months for Black Mount 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 Mount?

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

By Gary Innes

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

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Marilyn · Borders

Black Mount

Black Mount at 516m straddles the Peeblesshire-Lanarkshire border in the NT-prefix watershed country south of Dolphinton. A solitary rounded hill that looks bigger than its modest height suggests. Borders summit at 516 m.

Quick facts

Height: 516m/ 1693ft
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NT 07995 45965
Nearest city: Edinburgh· 33km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

grass moorland 60% · heather 30% · boggy ground 10%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A field path and farm track from Dolphinton climbs to the south ridge, then onto the trig pillar via fence-line. Roughly 8km return, 3 hours.

Terrain

Rough upland pasture and rushes on the lower slopes, then a grass and heather mix on the broad summit dome. Stiles where the route crosses field boundaries.

In winter

Isolated position makes Black Mount more exposed than its height implies. Hard frost firms up the rushy ground nicely for winter access.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 4m
Edinburgh1h 57m

OS maps: OS Landranger 72, OS Explorer 336

Mobile signal: Good. Peeblesshire/Lanarkshire; EE reliable.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 33mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:29
Sunset: 22:00
Civil dawn: 03:28
Civil dusk: 23:01

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

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Around Black Mount 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

32km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Black Mount — common questions

How hard is Black Mount?: Black Mount is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Rough upland pasture and rushes on the lower slopes, then a grass and heather mix on the broad summit dome.
When is the best time to climb Black Mount?: The standard good-weather months for Black Mount 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 Mount?: 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 Mount?: Good. Peeblesshire/Lanarkshire; EE reliable.
Is Black Mount safe in winter?: Isolated position makes Black Mount more exposed than its height implies. Hard frost firms up the rushy ground nicely for winter access.

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