Marilyn · Galloway
Brown Carrick Hill
Rising abruptly from the Carrick coast at NS 28 just south of Ayr, this 287m hill commands the Heads of Ayr skyline. Brown Carrick is a local favourite for its sweeping Firth of Clyde panorama out to Arran and Ailsa Craig.
Quick facts
- Height
- 287.6m/ 944ft
- Prominence
- 227 m
- Grid ref
- NS 28361 15949
- Nearest city
- Glasgow· 58km
- 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
heather moorland 55% · grass slopes 35% · rocky summit 10%
Start from the minor road crossing the northern flank and follow the mast track south-west onto the summit ridge in around 45 minutes. The grassy top carries a trig point beside the broadcast mast — return the same way or extend west along the ridge toward Dunure.
Terrain
Short coastal grass on the upper slopes with gorse and bracken lower down. A vehicle track to the mast makes the line obvious in any weather.
In winter
Mild Firth of Clyde air keeps snow accumulation negligible — frost-burned grass is the usual winter face. The mast track stays usable year-round so short daylight is the main limit.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 40m
- Edinburgh4h 11m
OS maps: OS Landranger 70, OS Explorer 326N, OS Explorer 326S
Mobile signal: Good. South Ayrshire; EE reliable.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:22
- Sunset
- 21:29
- Civil dawn
- 04:34
- Civil dusk
- 22:17
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Brown Carrick Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Brown Carrick Hill — common questions
- What difficulty is Brown Carrick Hill?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Brown Carrick Hill comes in at 1/5 — easy. Underfoot: Short coastal grass on the upper slopes with gorse and bracken lower down.
- What is Brown Carrick Hill's prominence?
- 227m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Brown Carrick Hill to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
- When is the best time to climb Brown Carrick Hill?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Brown Carrick Hill. 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 Brown Carrick Hill 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 Brown Carrick Hill?
- Good. South Ayrshire; EE reliable.
- Is Brown Carrick Hill safe in winter?
- Mild Firth of Clyde air keeps snow accumulation negligible — frost-burned grass is the usual winter face. The mast track stays usable year-round so short daylight is the main limit.
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.