📌 Drumelzier, Scottish Borders
★★★
Pykestone Hill is the highest part of the heathery horseshoe surrounding Drumelzier Burn, a few miles southeast of Broughton. These rolling landscapes mightn’t have the most charismatic peaks, but offer a great feeling of open space. There are two other Donald-classified summits on this route; Drumelzier Law is the last and lowest, but has the most attractive outline, with steeper sides falling away into the surrounding glens. There are excellent views west from here towards the Culter Fell range, with Tinto poking out beyond in clear weather.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Track along Drumelzier Burn 
Den Knowes 
Pykestone Hill (left) from the ascent 
Red grouse 
Pykestone Hill summit, looking northeast 
Looking northwest 
View back to Pykestone Hill from Grey Weather Law 
View ahead to Long Grain Knowe 
Middle Hill summit 
Hope Carton from Middle Hill 
Shepherds Cairn, Glenstivon Dod 
Drumelzier Law 
View west from Drumelzier Law south cairn 
View ahead from the true summit 
Descent towards Logan Head 
View back to Drumelzier Law 
Finglen Rig 
Approaching Drumelzier Burn with Den Knowes beyond 
Track near the finish
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish just off B712 on south side of Drumelzier
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 136340
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.592183,-3.372034
🚌 Infrequent bus to Drumelzier
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 15 km / 8 mi | ▲ 750 m | ⌛ 5-5.5 hr
Features: △ Pykestone Hill (737 m, Donald); △ Middle Hill (716 m, Donald); △ Drumelzier Law (668 m, Donald)
⬤ Tough | Tracks & paths with some boggy areas. Easy route for this grade.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit: start – Henry’s Brae (intially on east side of burn) – Den Knowes – Pykestone Hill – Grey Weather Law – Long Grain Knowe – Middle Hill – Glenstivon Dod – Drumelzier Law – Logan Head – Finglen Rig – start via west side of Drumelzier Burn
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Sheep, grouse & hairy caterpillars.
Weather: Mostly sunny with a few clouds building. Near freezing at the start & on summits, with some frozen ground above 700m. Winds mostly light.
October 2024
