Marilyn · Borders
The Wiss
A 589m hill rising directly above the south shore of St Mary's Loch, the largest natural loch in the Borders. The summit looks down on Tibbie Shiels Inn and the Yarrow Water.
Quick facts
- Height
- 589m/ 1932ft
- Prominence
- 170 m
- Grid ref
- NT 26456 20622
- Parking
- NT 24000 20800
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 53km
- 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
grass moorland 65% · heather 25% · boggy ground 10%
A direct ascent from the Southern Upland Way near Tibbie Shiels, climbing steep grass for 2-3 hours round-trip. Some walkers extend the day along the ridge toward Pikestone Rig.
Terrain
Steep open grassland on the lochside flank, easing onto a broader grassy crest. No real path but the line is obvious.
In winter
The steep loch-facing slopes can hold snow in shaded gullies. Care needed on the descent if iced — grass becomes treacherous.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 58m
- Edinburgh1h 14m
OS maps: OS Landranger 73, OS Explorer 330, OS Explorer 337
Mobile signal: Good. Borders; EE and Vodafone both solid on this accessible summit.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:15
- Sunset
- 21:23
- Civil dawn
- 04:27
- Civil dusk
- 22:11
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around The Wiss on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
The Wiss — common questions
- What difficulty is The Wiss?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, The Wiss comes in at 2/5 — moderate. Terrain: Steep open grassland on the lochside flank, easing onto a broader grassy crest.
- How prominent is The Wiss?
- The Wiss has 170m 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.
- Where should I park to climb The Wiss?
- Standard parking is at NT 24000 20800. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When should I climb The Wiss?
- The standard good-weather months for The Wiss are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. 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 The Wiss?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on The Wiss?
- Good. Borders; EE and Vodafone both solid on this accessible summit.
- Is The Wiss safe in winter?
- The steep loch-facing slopes can hold snow in shaded gullies. Care needed on the descent if iced — grass becomes treacherous.
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