How difficult is Spartleton?

Spartleton carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Windfarm service roads on the climb, then short heather and grass to the trig pillar.

What is Spartleton's prominence?

156m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Spartleton to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.

When is the best time to climb Spartleton?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Spartleton. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is Spartleton dog-friendly?

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: Walter Baxter / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Borders

Spartleton

Spartleton, 468m, sits high above the Whiteadder Reservoir in the eastern Lammermuirs — NT-prefix moorland country with a strong North Sea light. Its windfarm-fringed top gives surprising views to the Bass Rock and Berwickshire coast.

Quick facts

Height: 468m/ 1535ft
Prominence: 156 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NT 65320 65543
Nearest city: Edinburgh· 40km
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

heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 30% · rocky summit 10%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

From the Whiteadder reservoir car park a track climbs past the windfarm before turning along fence-lines to the summit. About 7km return, 2-3 hours.

Terrain

Windfarm service roads on the climb, then short heather and grass to the trig pillar. The turbines provide unmissable navigation aids.

In winter

Coastal Lammermuirs feel the full force of east-coast haar and freezing drizzle. The service roads remain passable but ice forms quickly on exposed sections.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow4h 23m
Edinburgh2h 39m

OS maps: OS Landranger 67, OS Explorer 345E

Mobile signal: Good. East Lothian / Lammermuirs; EE and Vodafone both give reliable coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

17h 50mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:11
Sunset: 21:23
Civil dawn: 04:22
Civil dusk: 22:12

NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026

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Around Spartleton on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Dunbar station

John Muir Country Park; surf and coast walks

14km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Glenkinchie

Pencaitland — Edinburgh's neighbour; light, grassy Lowlander

23km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Spartleton — common questions

How difficult is Spartleton?: Spartleton carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Windfarm service roads on the climb, then short heather and grass to the trig pillar.
What is Spartleton's prominence?: 156m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Spartleton to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
When is the best time to climb Spartleton?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Spartleton. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is Spartleton dog-friendly?: 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 Spartleton?: Good. East Lothian / Lammermuirs; EE and Vodafone both give reliable coverage.
Is Spartleton safe in winter?: Coastal Lammermuirs feel the full force of east-coast haar and freezing drizzle. The service roads remain passable but ice forms quickly on exposed sections.

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