Walk: An eroding Eildon trio

📌 Eildon Hills, Scottish Borders
★★★★

The three pointy peaks which form the Eildon Hills contrast sharply with the gentle, rolling nature of most of the Scottish Borders. This trio of heathery summits are the remains of an ancient volcano, with hard rock at its core resisting erosion while softer parts have worn away. Each hill is worth the effort: Wester Hill has the best outlook south over verdant farmland, Mid Hill is the highest with the most distinctive profile, and Eildon Hill North was once the site of both a large Bronze Age fort and Roman Signal Station. At the start, the historic town of Melrose has its own extensive list of sights to see and places to eat.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish on Dingleton Road (B6359) at junction with Newlyn Road, immediately south of Melrose town centre. Alternative start points at Newstead, Rhymer’s Stone or elsewhere in Melrose

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 547339

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.596033,-2.719848

🚌 Bus to Melrose

🚗 Street parking

📝 Key info

▶ 9 km / 6 mi | ▲ 480 m | ⌛ 3-3.5 hr

Features: △ Eildon Mid Hill (422 m, sub-2000′ Marilyn); △ Eildon Wester Hill (371 m); △ Eildon Hill North (404 m); ✞ Rhymer’s Stone ★; 🏠 Melrose ★★★ & town sights

⬤ Moderate | Paths are clear throughout though sometimes steep – occasional muddier sections.

➡️ Irregular walk shape: start – col between Mid & North hills via St Cuthbert’s Way – Eildon Mid Hill – return to col – Eildon Wester Hill – return to col – Eildon Hill North – Rhymer’s Stone – B6361 at 🧭 NT 560342 – Melrose & town sights – start

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: House martens, linnets, other small birds, butterflies. Some ripe raspberries & blackberries. Fox & rabbits on a previous visit.

Weather: Temperature in the low to mid-twenties, gentle welcome breeze.

August 2025