Marilyn · Galloway
Pibble Hill
A 383m coastal Marilyn at NX 53 north of Creetown, named after the abandoned Pibble lead mine on its eastern flank. The summit looks across Wigtown Bay to the Machars peninsula.
Quick facts
- Height
- 383m/ 1257ft
- Prominence
- 158 m
- Grid ref
- NX 53384 60513
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 47km
- 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
heather moorland 65% · boggy ground 20% · grassy summit 15%
Start from the minor road at Knockeans and follow the old mine track north before turning west onto the open hill. The trig sits at the highest point of a broad ridge — 2.5 hours return.
Terrain
Mine tracks underfoot for the first part, then heather and short grass. The old mine workings are fenced — keep clear of shafts.
In winter
Coastal position keeps Pibble snow-free for most winters. Wind off the Solway is the main weather concern.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 26m
- Edinburgh4h 54m
OS maps: OS Landranger 83, OS Explorer 312
Mobile signal: Poor. A blackspot on every network on this remote Galloway summit.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:22
- Sunset
- 21:25
- Civil dawn
- 04:35
- Civil dusk
- 22:12
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Pibble Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Pibble Hill — common questions
- How difficult is Pibble Hill?
- Pibble Hill carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Mine tracks underfoot for the first part, then heather and short grass.
- How prominent is Pibble Hill?
- Pibble Hill has 158m 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 Pibble Hill?
- The standard good-weather months for Pibble 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 Pibble Hill?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Pibble Hill?
- Poor. A blackspot on every network on this remote Galloway summit.
- Is Pibble Hill safe in winter?
- Coastal position keeps Pibble snow-free for most winters. Wind off the Solway is the main weather concern.
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