Marilyn · Galloway
Wether Hill
Wether Hill rises to 533m on the NX-square moors above the Carsphairn glen, a quiet Galloway summit on the southern flank of the Rhinns of Kells. The setting feels properly remote despite the modest altitude.
Quick facts
- Height
- 533.2m/ 1749ft
- Prominence
- 245 m
- Grid ref
- NX 69648 94214
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 33km
- 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% · rough grassland 25% · boggy ground 10%
Begin at the Forrest Lodge approach off the Carsphairn road and follow the forestry track east before climbing onto open hill. Three to four hours suits the round; pathless going calls for steady navigation.
Terrain
Bilberry, deer-grass and pockets of bog around the tributary burns. The summit dome itself is firm with scattered granite blocks.
In winter
Snow shower bands sweep in from the Solway and clear quickly. The lochans on the approach freeze hard but the surrounding peat does not, so route choice matters.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 43m
- Edinburgh3h 54m
OS maps: OS Landranger 77, OS Explorer 328S
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Galloway/Dumfriesshire; limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:20
- Sunset
- 21:25
- Civil dawn
- 04:32
- Civil dusk
- 22:13
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Wether Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Wether Hill — common questions
- Is Wether Hill a hard climb?
- Wether Hill is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Bilberry, deer-grass and pockets of bog around the tributary burns.
- How much drop does Wether Hill have?
- The drop is 245m: measured from the summit of Wether Hill down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
- What's the best month to climb Wether Hill?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Wether Hill. 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 Wether Hill?
- 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 Wether Hill?
- Poor. Remote Galloway/Dumfriesshire; limited coverage.
- Is Wether Hill safe in winter?
- Snow shower bands sweep in from the Solway and clear quickly. The lochans on the approach freeze hard but the surrounding peat does not, so route choice matters.
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