Marilyn · Borders
White Meldon
White Meldon, 427m, is the larger of the two Meldon Hills west of Peebles — an NT-prefix Tweeddale viewpoint crowned by one of southern Scotland's biggest Iron Age forts. Reaches 427.3 m in the Borders.
Quick facts
- Height
- 427.3m/ 1402ft
- Prominence
- 158 m
- Grid ref
- NT 21935 42837
- Nearest city
- Edinburgh· 31km
- 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% · rocky summit 10%
A waymarked path from the Meldons forest car park climbs the steep east ridge through bracken and grass to the summit fort. Around 5km return, 2 hours.
Terrain
Forest path on the approach, then bracken and short grass on the climb. The summit hosts the ramparts and ditches of the ancient hillfort.
In winter
A popular winter half-day from Peebles — frozen ground makes the bracken slope much easier than in summer. Snow rarely deep.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 39m
- Edinburgh1h 43m
OS maps: OS Landranger 73, OS Explorer 337
Mobile signal: Good. Peeblesshire; both EE and Vodafone dependable on this Borders hill.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:14
- Sunset
- 21:24
- Civil dawn
- 04:26
- Civil dusk
- 22:13
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around White Meldon on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
White Meldon — common questions
- How hard is White Meldon?
- We grade White Meldon at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Terrain: Forest path on the approach, then bracken and short grass on the climb.
- How prominent is White Meldon?
- White Meldon has 158m 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.
- When should I climb White Meldon?
- The standard good-weather months for White Meldon are March, 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 White Meldon?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on White Meldon?
- Good. Peeblesshire; both EE and Vodafone dependable on this Borders hill.
- Is White Meldon safe in winter?
- A popular winter half-day from Peebles — frozen ground makes the bracken slope much easier than in summer. Snow rarely deep.
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