How hard is Button Hills [Dalescord Hill]?

We grade Button Hills [Dalescord Hill] at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. Underfoot: Deep peat and tussocks dominate.

What is Button Hills [Dalescord Hill]'s prominence?

203m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Button Hills [Dalescord 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 Button Hills [Dalescord Hill]?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Button Hills [Dalescord 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 Button Hills [Dalescord Hill] dog-friendly?

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

By Gary

Photo: Rude Health / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Orkney & Shetland

Button Hills [Dalescord Hill]

Button Hills — also known as Dalescord Hill — reach 252m on the empty interior of north Mainland Shetland, between Voe and Sullom Voe. A genuine off-the-map summit visited mostly by Marilyn baggers, with peat moor stretching in every direction.

Quick facts

Height: 252m/ 827ft
Prominence: 203 m
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: HU 39314 68432
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

blanket bog 55% · heather moorland 30% · rocky summit 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A pathless yomp from a layby on the A970 near Dales Voe. Pick a line across peat moorland, avoiding the worst hags, to reach the broad summit. Around 5km return in 2.5-3 hours depending on ground conditions.

Terrain

Deep peat and tussocks dominate. Several knolls compete for the title of highest point — Dalescord Hill itself is the official top. Boggy except after dry spells.

In winter

Frozen peat speeds progress hugely; if a hard frost is forecast this becomes a far more pleasant outing. Short daylight and wind exposure are the main constraints.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Button Hills [Dalescord Hill]. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. No MWIS mountain forecast covers this area either. In winter, work from a local weather forecast, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow14h 2m
Edinburgh13h 31m

Ferry access

Aberdeen → Lerwick (Shetland)

Crossing time720 min
Summer sailingsDaily overnight sailing (Apr–Oct)
Winter sailingsDaily overnight sailing (Nov–Mar)
Book ahead14 days

A 12-hour overnight sailing — book a cabin berth. Plan a multi-day Shetland trip; the island is large and the journey is substantial. Flights from Aberdeen/Edinburgh are a faster alternative.

Book on ferry operator ↗

OS maps: OS Landranger 2, OS Landranger 3, OS Explorer 469S

Mobile signal: Poor. No networks reach this summit; download offline maps in Lerwick before visiting.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 29mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:29
Sunset: 19:32
Civil dawn: 05:46
Civil dusk: 20:15

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Button Hills [Dalescord Hill] — common questions

How hard is Button Hills [Dalescord Hill]?: We grade Button Hills [Dalescord Hill] at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. Underfoot: Deep peat and tussocks dominate.
What is Button Hills [Dalescord Hill]'s prominence?: 203m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Button Hills [Dalescord 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 Button Hills [Dalescord Hill]?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Button Hills [Dalescord 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 Button Hills [Dalescord 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 Button Hills [Dalescord Hill]?: Poor. No networks reach this summit; download offline maps in Lerwick before visiting.
How do I get the ferry to Button Hills [Dalescord Hill]?: Aberdeen → Lerwick (Shetland). Daily overnight sailing (Apr–Oct) in summer; Daily overnight sailing (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. A 12-hour overnight sailing — book a cabin berth. Plan a multi-day Shetland trip; the island is large and the journey is substantial. Flights from Aberdeen/Edinburgh are a faster alternative.
Is Button Hills [Dalescord Hill] safe in winter?: Frozen peat speeds progress hugely; if a hard frost is forecast this becomes a far more pleasant outing. Short daylight and wind exposure are the main constraints.

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