Marilyn · Borders
Mendick Hill
Mendick Hill is the conical 451m landmark north of West Linton, an NT-prefix outlier of the southern Pentlands that stands clear of every other ridge. The shapely cone is visible from the A702 for miles.
Quick facts
- Height
- 451m/ 1480ft
- Prominence
- 165 m
- Grid ref
- NT 12155 50530
- Nearest city
- Edinburgh· 27km
- 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
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Standard route
grass moorland 60% · heather 30% · rocky summit 10%
A short walk from West Linton or the minor road above Romanno Bridge climbs farm tracks before a steep direct line to the summit cone. Around 5km return, 2 hours.
Terrain
Farm tracks and a short stretch of sheep pasture, then steep grass on the final cone. A trig pillar marks the top.
In winter
A reliable winter mini-hill — the conical south face dries and clears quickly after snow, while the steep slopes test footwork after a freeze.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 13m
- Edinburgh1h 46m
OS maps: OS Landranger 65, OS Landranger 72, OS Explorer 344
Mobile signal: Good. Peeblesshire; EE reliable.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:15
- Sunset
- 21:25
- Civil dawn
- 04:26
- Civil dusk
- 22:14
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Mendick Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Mendick Hill — common questions
- Is Mendick Hill a hard climb?
- Mendick Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Farm tracks and a short stretch of sheep pasture, then steep grass on the final cone.
- How prominent is Mendick Hill?
- Mendick Hill has 165m 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.
- When should I climb Mendick Hill?
- The standard good-weather months for Mendick 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 Mendick Hill?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Mendick Hill?
- Good. Peeblesshire; EE reliable.
- Is Mendick Hill safe in winter?
- A reliable winter mini-hill — the conical south face dries and clears quickly after snow, while the steep slopes test footwork after a freeze.
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