📌 Earlston, Scottish Borders
★★★
Thousands of hillwalkers flock to the Eildon Hills in the Scottish Borders each year, yet the region’s other summits are seldom climbed. Black Hill is one of the neglected alternatives, gently topping out at 214 metres above sea level with a grassy cap overlying slopes of scree and heather. This ascent route starts to the west to utilise sections of Earlston’s excellent local path network, but avoids the steepest aspects by approaching the summit from the east side. With no difficulties, you’ll be gazing out across the green pastures of southern Scotland in two shakes of a lamb’s tail…
📷 Chronological photo guide
Black Hill from Cowdenknowes Mains 
North side of the hill 
Path around the north side 
Looking east from the ascent 
Approaching the summit 
Sheep on the summit 
Baa Baa Black Hill 
View southwest to the Eildon Hills from the summit 
Looking northeast 
Looking northwest 
Heather-clad northern slopes – not recommended as a descent route
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on the B6356 1 mi south of Earlston
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 580372
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.626934,-2.669147
🚌 Bus to Earlston (1 mi)
🚗 Layby – don’t block gate
📝 Key info
▶ 4 km / 2 mi | ▲ 200 m | ⌛ 1.5 hr
Features: △ Black Hill (314 m, sub-2000′ Marilyn)
⬤ Moderate | Good paths and tracks for majority of the route; fainter for final ascent.
Download file for GPS➡️ Out-and-back walk: start – Cowdenknowes Mains – traverse foot of hill to east side – summit by east slopes – return by outward route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Scores of sheep on the summit, two birds of prey circling above. Horses at Cowdenknowes Mains. Lots of nearly ripe blackberries.
Weather: Hazy sunshine, light winds.
August 2019
