Marilyn · Galloway
Cairn Table
A 593m flat-topped Marilyn at NS 72 east of Muirkirk, the high point of the Muirkirk Uplands. Cairn Table carries two large summit cairns — one a memorial to the Muirkirk dead of the Great War — and a wide tableland of heather.
Quick facts
- Height
- 593m/ 1946ft
- Grid ref
- NS 72431 24224
- Nearest city
- Glasgow· 43km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather moorland 55% · grass slopes 30% · rocky/flat summit 15%
Start from Muirkirk and follow the well-marked path south-east past Tibbie's Brig and up onto the open hill. The path leads directly to the war memorial cairn on the summit plateau — 3 to 4 hours round trip.
Terrain
Good waymarked path on firm peat and gravel; the table summit is grass and short heather underfoot.
In winter
Snow can lie on the flat top through cold spells but rarely deep. The marked path stays followable in most conditions — useful when other Southern Uplands hills are out.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow1h 6m
- Edinburgh2h 27m
OS maps: OS Landranger 71, OS Explorer 328N
Mobile signal: Good. East Ayrshire/South Lanarkshire; EE reliable.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:33
- Sunset
- 22:01
- Civil dawn
- 03:33
- Civil dusk
- 23:01
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Cairn Table on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Cairn Table — common questions
- How hard is Cairn Table?
- Cairn Table is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Good waymarked path on firm peat and gravel; the table summit is grass and short heather underfoot.
- When is the best time to climb Cairn Table?
- The standard good-weather months for Cairn Table 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 Cairn Table?
- 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 Cairn Table?
- Good. East Ayrshire/South Lanarkshire; EE reliable.
- Is Cairn Table safe in winter?
- Snow can lie on the flat top through cold spells but rarely deep. The marked path stays followable in most conditions — useful when other Southern Uplands hills are out.
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