Black Hill

 Hill: Black Hill (Earlston)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 314m

When I was on my ramble up the Eildons I spotted a distinctive pointed top a few miles south, worth investigating as I had time. Back at the car I looked it up and another short outing was on the cards.

There is minimal parking on the back road outside Earlston and the farmer has been using it recently so two cars maximum to avoid blocking his field entrance and very muddy even before the ramble begins. That distinctive red clay.

There were many cattle spread across the various fields but thankfully none on the hill itself. A straightforwad short steep ascent up the hillside. The OS map showed some crags from other directions but the frontal assault has no difficulties. The amount of scree and rock on the flanks confirm this was a settlement of some size. None marked on the map but the summit is another iron age fort.

Eildons from the summit

Earlston below

The top is soon reached and the wind tries to blow me over again. Nice views and there is an option of heading down the ridge to join a local path. But on a day like this simply back down the ascent route in good time to watch the rugby somewhere. 

Ascent: 201m

Distance: 2.2km    

Time: 0.49

Wildlife: Blackbird; Great Tit; Raven; Woodpigeon