Marilyn · Galloway
Cairn Hill
Cairn Hill sits at 451m on the NS-grid moorlands between Muirkirk and Crawfordjohn, straddling the Lanarkshire-Ayrshire boundary. The Gaelic-rooted name marks its summit cairn, an obvious waypoint on otherwise rolling ground.
Quick facts
- Height
- 451m/ 1480ft
- Prominence
- 159 m
- Grid ref
- NS 85190 07029
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 33km
- 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
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Standard route
heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 30% · rocky summit 10%
Approach from the B743 near Glenbuck or the wind-farm tracks at Hare Hill, gaining height steadily over grass and heather. Two to three hours allows time to enjoy the broad summit and surrounding panorama.
Terrain
Cropped sheep ground at lower levels gives way to short heather and grass moor near the cairn. Drainage is generally good thanks to slope angle.
In winter
A reliable winter option; snow rarely sits and the wind-farm access roads remain navigable. Wind chill on the open top is the main concern.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 45m
- Edinburgh2h 14m
OS maps: OS Landranger 71, OS Landranger 78, OS Explorer 329
Mobile signal: Good. South Lanarkshire/East Ayrshire; EE reasonable.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:18
- Sunset
- 21:25
- Civil dawn
- 04:31
- Civil dusk
- 22:13
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Cairn Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Cairn Hill — common questions
- Is Cairn Hill a hard climb?
- Cairn Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Cropped sheep ground at lower levels gives way to short heather and grass moor near the cairn.
- How much drop does Cairn Hill have?
- The drop is 159m: measured from the summit of Cairn Hill down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
- What's the best month to climb Cairn Hill?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Cairn Hill. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Cairn Hill?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Cairn Hill?
- Good. South Lanarkshire/East Ayrshire; EE reasonable.
- Is Cairn Hill safe in winter?
- A reliable winter option; snow rarely sits and the wind-farm access roads remain navigable. Wind chill on the open top is the main concern.
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