Marilyn · Ochils
Earl's Seat
Earl's Seat is the highest point of the Campsie Fells, the basalt plateau rising north of Glasgow in the NS 569 grid square. The 578m summit caps a broad rolling plateau that despite its modest elevation has a real moorland feel, with views from the Highland Boundary fault south to the Clyde.
Quick facts
- Height
- 578m/ 1896ft
- Prominence
- 511 m
- Grid ref
- NS 56989 83794
- Nearest city
- Glasgow· 19km
- 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
volcanic basalt 50% · heather moorland 30% · grass slopes 20%
The classic approach climbs from Ballagan Glen at Strathblane or from Killearn, following old shepherds' tracks and then open moorland to the summit trig point. Allow 4-5 hours for the round trip with around 500m of ascent.
Terrain
Tussocky heather and bog dominate the plateau, with peat hags that demand careful navigation in poor visibility. The basalt bedrock breaks through as low scarps on the southern side.
In winter
A reliable short-day winter walk close to Glasgow when the Highlands are out of condition. Hard frost firms up the boggy plateau and the summit gives sweeping views to the snowbound Trossachs and southern Highlands.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow0h 26m
- Edinburgh3h 52m
OS maps: OS Landranger 57, OS Landranger 64, OS Explorer 348
Mobile signal: Good. Central belt; EE and Vodafone reliable.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:17
- Sunset
- 21:30
- Civil dawn
- 04:27
- Civil dusk
- 22:20
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Earl's Seat.
Around Earl's Seat on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Balloch station
South Loch Lomond — WHW start at Drymen / Conic Hill
18km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Luss
West Loch Lomond village — Highland Boundary, Loch Lomond Way
23km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Glengoyne
Killearn — straddles Highland Boundary Fault; air-dried barley, unpeated style
6km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Earl's Seat — common questions
- What difficulty is Earl's Seat?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Earl's Seat comes in at 2/5 — moderate. Underfoot: Tussocky heather and bog dominate the plateau, with peat hags that demand careful navigation in poor visibility.
- What is Earl's Seat's prominence?
- 511m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Earl's Seat 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 Earl's Seat?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Earl's Seat. 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 Earl's Seat 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 Earl's Seat?
- Good. Central belt; EE and Vodafone reliable.
- Is Earl's Seat safe in winter?
- A reliable short-day winter walk close to Glasgow when the Highlands are out of condition. Hard frost firms up the boggy plateau and the summit gives sweeping views to the snowbound Trossachs and southern Highlands.
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