How hard is Meigle Hill?

We grade Meigle Hill at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Ground conditions: Forestry tracks and waymarked paths on most of the climb, then short grass and a mast/trig on the summit.

How much drop does Meigle Hill have?

The drop is 256m: measured from the summit of Meigle 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 Meigle Hill?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Meigle 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 Meigle Hill?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By Gary

Photo: Iain Lees / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Borders

Meigle Hill

Meigle Hill, 423m, rises directly above Galashiels and Caddonfoot — an NT-prefix Borders viewpoint with a panoramic prospect of the Eildons, the Tweed and the Moorfoots. Reaches 423 m in the Borders.

Quick facts

Height: 423m/ 1388ft
Prominence: 256 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NT 46624 36003
Nearest city: Edinburgh· 43km
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

grass moorland 65% · heather 25% · boggy ground 10%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A waymarked Borders path from Galashiels or Clovenfords climbs forestry tracks before breaking onto open ground for the final summit pull. Around 7km circular, 2-3 hours.

Terrain

Forestry tracks and waymarked paths on most of the climb, then short grass and a mast/trig on the summit. Easy navigation throughout.

In winter

Genuinely all-season — Galashiels valley microclimate keeps the lower slopes free of snow even when the Lammermuirs are deep in white.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Meigle Hill. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS Southern Uplands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow4h 41m
Edinburgh1h 14m

OS maps: OS Landranger 73, OS Explorer 338

Mobile signal: Good. Borders/Roxburghshire; EE reliable.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 08mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:41
Sunset: 19:34
Civil dawn: 06:03
Civil dusk: 20:11

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Meigle Hill — common questions

How hard is Meigle Hill?: We grade Meigle Hill at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Ground conditions: Forestry tracks and waymarked paths on most of the climb, then short grass and a mast/trig on the summit.
How much drop does Meigle Hill have?: The drop is 256m: measured from the summit of Meigle 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 Meigle Hill?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Meigle 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 Meigle 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 Meigle Hill?: Good. Borders/Roxburghshire; EE reliable.
Is Meigle Hill safe in winter?: Genuinely all-season — Galashiels valley microclimate keeps the lower slopes free of snow even when the Lammermuirs are deep in white.

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