How prominent is Common Hill?

Common Hill has 172m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.

Where should I park to climb Common Hill?

Standard parking is at NS 729 264. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When should I climb Common Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Common 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 Common Hill?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

Submit a photo

Marilyn · Galloway

Common Hill

Common Hill stands at NS79 east of Muirkirk on the Ayrshire–Lanarkshire boundary, a 488m moorland top above the headwaters of the River Ayr. A featureless heather dome on the Southern Upland Way corridor.

Quick facts

Height: 488m/ 1601ft
Prominence: 172 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NS 79192 30780
Parking: NS 729 264
Nearest city: Glasgow· 40km
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.

Submit your GPX

Standard route

heather moorland 55% · grass slopes 35% · rocky summit 10%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Park near Muirkirk and pick up the Southern Upland Way east toward Glenbuck. Leave the path on the open moor and bear north over heather and grass to the trig point.

Terrain

A short stretch of the well-trodden Southern Upland Way then pathless moor with intermittent quad tracks. Boggy in places but the going eases on the summit dome.

In winter

East Ayrshire moor where drifting snow can disguise the bog. The Southern Upland Way waymarkers help with navigation back in poor visibility.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow1h 10m
Edinburgh2h 8m

Parking: NS 729 264

OS maps: OS Landranger 71, OS Explorer 335

Mobile signal: Good. East Ayrshire; good EE coverage throughout the walk.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

17h 46mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:18
Sunset: 21:27
Civil dawn: 04:29
Civil dusk: 22:15

NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026

Got a photo of Common Hill?

30 seconds, helps other walkers.

Submit a photo

Walked it with a GPX?

From your watch or phone.

Submit GPX

Trip report?

Share what it was actually like.

Get in touch →

Around Common Hill on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Glasgow Central

Ayrshire coast lines; Carlisle / WCML connections; ferry-route gateway

40km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Common Hill — common questions

Is Common Hill a hard climb?: Common Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: A short stretch of the well-trodden Southern Upland Way then pathless moor with intermittent quad tracks.
How prominent is Common Hill?: Common Hill has 172m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
Where should I park to climb Common Hill?: Standard parking is at NS 729 264. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When should I climb Common Hill?: The standard good-weather months for Common 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 Common Hill?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Common Hill?: Good. East Ayrshire; good EE coverage throughout the walk.
Is Common Hill safe in winter?: East Ayrshire moor where drifting snow can disguise the bog. The Southern Upland Way waymarkers help with navigation back in poor visibility.

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.