How hard is Carlock Hill?

Carlock Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Plantation rides then heather and grass on the open hill.

When is the best time to climb Carlock Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Carlock 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 Carlock Hill?

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

How hard is Carlock Hill?

Carlock Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Plantation rides then heather and grass on the open hill.

When is the best time to climb Carlock Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Carlock 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 Carlock Hill?

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: Billy McCrorie / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Galloway

Carlock Hill

A 322m hill at NX 08 above Glen App on the boundary of South Ayrshire and Wigtownshire. Carlock looks south over the Galloway hills and west to the Firth of Clyde.

Quick facts

Height: 321.8m/ 1056ft
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NX 08571 77229
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

heather moorland 65% · boggy ground 20% · grassy summit 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Start from the minor road at the head of Glen App and climb west through forestry breaks onto the open ridge. The summit trig is a short walk along the broad top — 2 hours return.

Terrain

Plantation rides then heather and grass on the open hill. Forest breaks are the main route-finding issue.

In winter

Mild Atlantic conditions keep snow minimal. Wind off the Firth is the main weather factor on the exposed ridge.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow3h 51m
Edinburgh5h 13m

OS maps: OS Landranger 76, OS Explorer 317

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Galloway/Wigtownshire; limited coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 17mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:40
Sunset: 22:01
Civil dawn: 03:42
Civil dusk: 22:59

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

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Around Carlock Hill on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Ayr station

Ayrshire coast; Galloway approach via bus/car

52km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Campbeltown

Kintyre Way finish; Mull of Kintyre; whisky town

57km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Carlock Hill — common questions

How hard is Carlock Hill?: Carlock Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Plantation rides then heather and grass on the open hill.
When is the best time to climb Carlock Hill?: The standard good-weather months for Carlock 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 Carlock Hill?: 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 Carlock Hill?: Poor. Remote Galloway/Wigtownshire; limited coverage.
Is Carlock Hill safe in winter?: Mild Atlantic conditions keep snow minimal. Wind off the Firth is the main weather factor on the exposed ridge.

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