How hard is Scaw'd Fell?

Scaw'd Fell is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Mix of forestry edge tracks, rough heather and boggy peat hags on the summit plateau.

Where do I park for Scaw'd Fell?

Standard parking is at NT 16500 06500. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Scaw'd Fell?

The standard good-weather months for Scaw'd Fell are 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 Scaw'd Fell?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How hard is Scaw'd Fell?

Scaw'd Fell is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Mix of forestry edge tracks, rough heather and boggy peat hags on the summit plateau.

Where do I park for Scaw'd Fell?

Standard parking is at NT 16500 06500. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Scaw'd Fell?

The standard good-weather months for Scaw'd Fell are 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 Scaw'd Fell?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Rude Health / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Borders

Scaw'd Fell

A 549m hill in the Lowther Hills above Moffat Water, set among the headwaters of Selcoth Burn. Looks across to the Devil's Beef Tub and Hart Fell, with the long Ettrick watershed running away east beyond Andrewhinney Hill.

Quick facts

Height: 549.7m/ 1803ft
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NT 14940 02802
Parking: NT 16500 06500
Nearest city: Dumfries· 32km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

grass moorland 60% · heather 30% · boggy ground 10%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A pathless ascent from the A708 Moffat-Selkirk road near Selcoth, climbing through plantation edges onto open hill — typically 3-4 hours. Often combined with Andrewhinney Hill.

Terrain

Mix of forestry edge tracks, rough heather and boggy peat hags on the summit plateau. Slow going in places.

In winter

Higher and more exposed than most Borders Marilyns — snow drifts on the plateau persist into spring. Care needed in poor visibility on the broad top.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow3h 44m
Edinburgh2h 41m

Parking: NT 16500 06500

OS maps: OS Landranger 78, OS Explorer 322N

Mobile signal: Good. Borders/Dumfriesshire boundary; EE reliable on this summit.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 24mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:31
Sunset: 21:57
Civil dawn: 03:32
Civil dusk: 22:56

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

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Around Scaw'd Fell on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Tweedbank station

Borders Railway terminus; Eildon Hills, Melrose, Tweed Valley

52km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Scaw'd Fell — common questions

How hard is Scaw'd Fell?: Scaw'd Fell is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Mix of forestry edge tracks, rough heather and boggy peat hags on the summit plateau.
Where do I park for Scaw'd Fell?: Standard parking is at NT 16500 06500. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Scaw'd Fell?: The standard good-weather months for Scaw'd Fell are 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 Scaw'd Fell?: 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 Scaw'd Fell?: Good. Borders/Dumfriesshire boundary; EE reliable on this summit.
Is Scaw'd Fell safe in winter?: Higher and more exposed than most Borders Marilyns — snow drifts on the plateau persist into spring. Care needed in poor visibility on the broad top.

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