Is Scaw'd Fell a hard climb?

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

How much drop does Scaw'd Fell have?

The drop is 158m: measured from the summit of Scaw'd Fell down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.

Where's the parking for Scaw'd Fell?

Park at NT 16500 06500. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.

What's the best month to climb Scaw'd Fell?

Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Scaw'd Fell. 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 Scaw'd Fell?

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

By Gary Innes

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

Submit a photo

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
Prominence: 158 m
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 ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

No GPX track yet

Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.

Submit your GPX

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

17h 42mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:17
Sunset: 21:23
Civil dawn: 04:29
Civil dusk: 22:11

NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026

Got a photo of Scaw'd Fell?

30 seconds, helps other walkers.

Submit a photo

Walked it with a GPX?

From your watch or phone.

Submit GPX

Trip report?

Share what it was actually like.

Get in touch →

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

Is Scaw'd Fell a hard climb?: Scaw'd Fell is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Mix of forestry edge tracks, rough heather and boggy peat hags on the summit plateau.
How much drop does Scaw'd Fell have?: The drop is 158m: measured from the summit of Scaw'd Fell down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
Where's the parking for Scaw'd Fell?: Park at NT 16500 06500. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
What's the best month to climb Scaw'd Fell?: Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Scaw'd Fell. 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 Scaw'd Fell?: 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 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.

Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly

One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.