How difficult is Blaeloch Hill?

Blaeloch Hill carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Old drove road and faint quad tracks give way to deep heather and bog on the higher ground.

How prominent is Blaeloch Hill?

Blaeloch Hill has 185m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.

Where should I park to climb Blaeloch Hill?

Standard parking is at NS 245 567. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When should I climb Blaeloch Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Blaeloch 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 Blaeloch Hill?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Raibeart MacAoidh / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Galloway

Blaeloch Hill

Blaeloch Hill is a 407m moorland top at NS24 above Largs and the Firth of Clyde, the highest ground at the centre of the Largs Hills. Wide views run from Arran and Cumbrae to the Renfrewshire Heights.

Quick facts

Height: 407m/ 1335ft
Prominence: 185 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NS 24329 55317
Parking: NS 245 567
Nearest city: Glasgow· 36km
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

heather moorland 55% · grass slopes 35% · rocky summit 10%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Start from the Largs–Greenock back road parking near Outerwards and head east on the rough hill track. A pathless walk on heather and tussocky grass leads onto the broad summit dome.

Terrain

Old drove road and faint quad tracks give way to deep heather and bog on the higher ground. The summit is grassy with a small cairn.

In winter

Coastal Ayrshire moor, generally snow-free but holding ice in the bog channels. The exposed top catches the full force of westerly Atlantic gales.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow1h 27m
Edinburgh4h 12m

Parking: NS 245 567

OS maps: OS Landranger 63, OS Explorer 341S

Mobile signal: Good. North Ayrshire; EE reliable.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

17h 49mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:20
Sunset: 21:31
Civil dawn: 04:31
Civil dusk: 22:20

NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026

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Around Blaeloch Hill on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Rothesay

Isle of Bute base; West Island Way; short Glasgow break

18km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Auchentoshan

Clydebank — Scotland's only triple-distilled single malt; 10 min from Glasgow

29km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Blaeloch Hill — common questions

How difficult is Blaeloch Hill?: Blaeloch Hill carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Old drove road and faint quad tracks give way to deep heather and bog on the higher ground.
How prominent is Blaeloch Hill?: Blaeloch Hill has 185m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
Where should I park to climb Blaeloch Hill?: Standard parking is at NS 245 567. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When should I climb Blaeloch Hill?: The standard good-weather months for Blaeloch 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 Blaeloch Hill?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Blaeloch Hill?: Good. North Ayrshire; EE reliable.
Is Blaeloch Hill safe in winter?: Coastal Ayrshire moor, generally snow-free but holding ice in the bog channels. The exposed top catches the full force of westerly Atlantic gales.

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