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Name: | Black Hill |
Hill number: | 1826 |
Height: | 314m / 1030ft |
RHB Section: | 28A: Firth of Forth to the River Tweed |
County/UA: | Scottish Borders |
Catchment: | Tweed |
Class: | Marilyn, Hump, Tump (300-399m), Yeaman (Ma,Hu,Tu,3,Y) |
Grid ref: | NT 58549 37011 |
Summit feature: | trig point |
Drop: | 171m |
Col: | 143m NT611413 |
OS map sheet(s): | (1:50k) 73 74 (1:25k) 338 339W |
Survey: | obvious summit |
GPS data: | show GPS entries for this hill |
N.B. Some hill summits are on private property or on land where there is no public right of way. Permission should be sought from the landowner where access to a hill summit is through private land(*).
*For information about access rights in Scotland see the ScotWays website.
Please report via the contact page any logs you see below which describe or encourage acts of trespass. Please quote the hill number and hill name.
Logged Descriptions (logged by 275 users) | By | Date of Ascent |
Parked in an area that others had parked, minor road south of Earlston . Lots of bright signs asked walkeers to,use the waymarked path , and NOT to walk theough Cowdenknowe Mains. , easily opened gates, muddy, turn right up an old through way bi opted to continue to follow way marked route , and so to then amble of easier eastern slopes. Windy and wet on summit. | VerySlowPlodder | 04/02/2024 |
alasdaircairns | 06/12/2023 | |
When you get to the foot of the hill gogo left, easy way up, ignore track on 25 and 50 map as it is overgrown with gorse. With John and Pam | tallblond | 15/10/2023 |
From parking next to gate to North. Grey. | davechaffey | 28/09/2023 |
See https://scotlandhills.net/the-eildon-hills-and-black-hill/ | hill walker | 08/09/2023 |
followed way-marked path | BLACKHILL | 07/09/2023 |
Along the signed path from Cowdenknowes, then up strips of grass between scree and gorse up the NW flank. Highly enjoyable and a superb viewpoint. A contour-flying jet passed below me while I was taking in the summit view. | Nick Down1 | 24/08/2023 |
Usual approach along the signed path from Cowdenknowes. We took the steep direct approach not realising there was a gentler path down the E flank. Then on to White Hill. | milimana | 06/08/2023 |
Nice steep ascent from parking at the start of the path to the west. | Alan Caine | 10/07/2023 |
Quick up and down on the way North from parking at Cowdenknowes, along way marked path then straight up to the trig point. Great views towards the 3 Eildon hills and memories of SCW a few years ago. With Gillian. | richard69 | 14/04/2023 |
Graham Banks | 08/03/2023 | |
Black & White hills from Cowdenknowes lay-by. Appropriately, the sky faded to grey when we set out. | summitter | 06/02/2023 |
jgregor | 29/01/2023 | |
From the West at Cowdenknowes, excellent path. Great views. | colazione | 01/01/2023 |
gettingonabit | 04/11/2022 | |
David S | 09/10/2022 | |
New path from Cowdenknowes with Lesley. Followed track around sputh side of hill, descended main track. Sushi on summit, back to car before rain arrived. | Nick Canute | 28/09/2022 |
Matt | 16/09/2022 | |
On waymarked path from road by entrance to Cowdenknowes Mains then steeply up on animal tracks. | Winterfloodian | 12/05/2022 |
Pommyjon | 09/04/2022 | |
From the bus stop in Earlston. Along the road to layby, then along signposted path to the base of the hill. Steeply up to the top. Gentler path headed west then around the foot of the hill and back to Earlston. | the pigguy | 26/03/2022 |
Graham Banks | 26/03/2022 | |
Graham Banks | 23/03/2022 | |
ThickIce | 28/01/2022 | |
ketzster | 19/01/2022 | |
Crawford Lindsay | 15/01/2022 | |
wintergreen | 15/01/2022 | |
Dave McG | 08/11/2021 | |
Ben Rinnes | 20/08/2021 | |
BasherBob | 20/08/2021 | |
3 of 5: After Meigle Hill we drove to Cowdenknowes Mains. Waymarked path to the base of the hill and then straight up on sheep tracks. Easy route north back down to the waymarked path. With Karen. | ChrisR | 15/06/2021 |
Graham Banks | 11/04/2021 | |
Graham Banks | 27/03/2021 | |
brucebob | 28/11/2020 | |
langskill | 11/10/2020 | |
Normal route up from using the path signposted from the road, next to the farm. Ground very wet after heavy rain the day before. Around an hour walking time up and back. | Roblex | 26/08/2020 |
Graham Banks | 07/02/2020 | |
Parking for 2-3 cars at NT 5797 3723. Waymarked path to NT 5826 3726, whence steeply up. | jonglew | 14/01/2020 |
beckybags | 02/12/2019 | |
A Peckish | 02/12/2019 | |
I parked beside the B6356 road near the start of the road/track and parallel path to Cowdenknowes Mains. Along the path and then a lane towards Black Hill. The OS 1:25,000 map shows a footpath going up the steepish NW slopes of Black Hill. I followed a narrow path to the summit that more or less followed the line shown on the map. There are quite a few other narrow paths or animal tracks. It was a bright sunny day, dry but cold, with extensive views from the summit. I found a broad grassy path/track going down the easy gradients to the NE, not shown on the OS map, so followed it. I took a left fork to join the path/track from Whitefield and so back to the vicinity of Cowdenknowes. NB this track from Whitefield does not go through the forest. The track going through the forest, which is shown on the OS map, is now choked with vegetation. I later found in a booklet of walks round Earlston that taking the right fork also provides an easy route to Cowdenknowes round the SE side of the hill | pwbellarby | 18/11/2019 |
pnecelt | 03/10/2019 | |
islayholmes | 03/10/2019 | |
needanewdog | 28/08/2019 | |
Route as per DanTrig - decent views from top. | willyross | 18/08/2019 |
lindaross | 18/08/2019 | |
JFT_96 | 17/08/2019 | |
JGC | 21/07/2019 | |
Quick bag from road, parked just south of entrance to Cowdenknowes Mains and followed waymarked trail parallel to farm track and climbed onto the hill, straight up the steep slopes of grass/stones to trig, great views from the top. Clear and sunny, afterwards drove around to Melrose and bagged the three Eildon Hills. | DanTrig | 22/06/2019 |
alanm | 21/06/2019 | |
Via the designated path from NT57963723. | summitsup | 13/05/2019 |
Quick 1 hour climb from road. Great hill with great views. | KevPalmer | 03/05/2019 |
Graham Banks | 17/04/2019 | |
Graham Banks | 27/03/2019 | |
stalky14 | 26/02/2019 | |
sarah mundell | 17/02/2019 | |
Smailholm village to Smailholm Tower, on track to Westfield, Boghouse, Marchfield Plantation, Brotherstone Moor and Black Hill. Descend to the south beside the Leader Water to Earlston. | palmersathome | 10/02/2019 |
From Cowdenknowes as described elsewhere. Expansive views. | Clach Liath | 10/02/2019 |
White, Black, Redpath and Brotherstone hills from Earlston via paths and fields on a lovely sunny cold Winter's day. Easy across from White hill. You can see the obvious route. | Thearlaichdubh | 10/12/2018 |
dave g | 06/11/2018 | |
fionnag | 06/11/2018 | |
From near Fountainheads parked in small lay by opposite entrance to Cowdenknowes (The Stables) - Footpath signed to black hill - ascended the steep- side to reach summit and trig good views all around (rain showers come and go) - descended gentler slope then circled back through the woods. Pleasant area so we extended our walk along the Jubilee path (2012) following Leader water as far as Redpath then returned along the lane. | briandavies | 07/10/2018 |
Fi | 29/09/2018 | |
scoob | 29/09/2018 | |
Gallovidian | 02/09/2018 | |
Followed standard path then tried to take OS mirage path to summit - ended up just a very steep grassy pull.. Returned by very pleasant green path down north east ridge leading all the way back to car. | SS | 11/06/2018 |
From Swan pub in Earlston. Down Station Rd to derestrict sign, steps down to footpath network and a nice but longer walk to where most folk park their cars. Thereafter as others describe it. Hot, sunny and good views. Shallowest ascent from SE slope. | iangalbraith | 28/05/2018 |
Good parking by gate for 3-4 cars (nt57933725)Good paths to hillside then went straight up grassy hillside. | G0HIO | 16/05/2018 |
Solo jog up and down the signposted route. | amswanston | 13/05/2018 |
georgeh60 | 17/04/2018 | |
Usual route up on the permissive path and then freestyle up the NW slope. Lots of whinnying going on at the farm, loads of freshly minted lambs. Came off too westerly, but no problem, crossed a field with a couple of uninterested horses and came to a gate onto the road about 200m south of the parking. Charming hill, shame about the grotty weather : strong northerly, misty, sleety. | Owen B | 31/03/2018 |
The Fife Flyer | 13/03/2018 | |
duchally | 20/02/2018 | |
A splendid hill. From the lay by below Cowdenknowes Mains. Muddy footpath and track to start, then direttissima up the north side of the hill, zigzagging around gorse and scree on easy steep grass. Fine views of the Eildon Hills from the top. Down towards the larch plantation on the W side is a bit less steep. | Gill | 08/02/2018 |
Route as N.Morters. | Chris Peart | 29/10/2017 |
nigheandonn | 28/10/2017 | |
Pete R | 16/09/2017 | |
Gebirgsjaeger | 03/09/2017 | |
vuirich | 19/08/2017 | |
JulieB | 08/07/2017 | |
3/3 Marilyn for today. From Cowdenknowes Mains. Small Layby at signpost waymarker along track. Works round the east side before final rise to summit. Farmer was moving sheep down the narrow track, I let the masses pass before going up. | N.Morters | 24/06/2017 |
Bus Galshiels to Earlston then walk along road to permissive path. A very good wee hill | trimarc2 | 06/06/2017 |
Footpath to summit from roadside. Lovely 360 degree views. Solo. | Dangerous Dave | 31/03/2017 |
mntainman | 25/01/2017 | |
walk livi | 21/01/2017 | |
PaulineD | 21/01/2017 | |
From roadside parking following permissive path. | rhalstead | 31/12/2016 |
PeteN | 12/10/2016 | |
Just follow the signposts from the road. Short, steep and grassy. | Play2End | 25/09/2016 |
Parked on grass verge 579372. Walkers are discouraged from farm track, but farmer has kindly put in permissive path. Third Elidon comes into sight on summit. About an hour there and back. With Julie. | David Evans | 24/09/2016 |
Berkscire874 | 07/09/2016 | |
Kompass | 05/06/2016 | |
Met a guy from Pickering at the road lay-by. Chatted he ascended in 19 mins from road. For a small peak enjoyed the views, via/aqua duct and Eildons. Company: Solo | iandesbottes | 17/05/2016 |
From parking place on B6356 at NT 5797 3723. Clear well maintained path to intake at 5825 3725 then a steady climb on grazing land to the trig. Met and chatted to iandesbottes when returned to car park. Ian told me he had visited Minch Moor earlier in the day so I went there later! Glad we met up, albeit briefly! | G4OBK (Phil) | 17/05/2016 |
govanah | 26/03/2016 | |
ARM | 29/12/2015 | |
Parked on the roadside at 579372. Took just under the hour with GB. Very pleasant hill with great views. | bolton | 11/12/2015 |
Small parking area on B6356 at NT57970 37233 -NE along signposted permissive path & then turned right up track to foot of hill - Steep climb to summit. (PM) | gerrybowes | 11/12/2015 |
Self, Peter and dog | Invicta14 | 23/10/2015 |
carole engel | 16/10/2015 | |
tomandivy | 16/10/2015 | |
Isbjorn | 14/10/2015 | |
parlick | 08/10/2015 | |
Up track from nw and then grassy hillside. Gorgeous views | vegibagger | 03/10/2015 |
irobbo | 31/08/2015 | |
tallscottishguy | 27/08/2015 | |
Wanted to do this hill for the last 55 years. Did not disappoint. Parked in Earlston and walked along to the farm then followed the signposts. After the trig, carried on and completed the Earlston circuit. | BigJ | 16/08/2015 |
aul-fogie | 13/08/2015 | |
benarmine | 03/08/2015 | |
Parked in the lay-by by Cowdenknowes Mains and followed the path to the foot of the hill. There were traces of a path up the steep slopes but the heavy rain compromised the enjoyment of this wee gem of a hill. | Sprog | 27/05/2015 |
NormanW | 08/04/2015 | |
Could not find any evidence of the path marked on the 1:25,000 map. Short wet grass and loose moss made for an 'entertaining' descent! | tim747 | 18/03/2015 |
from NT579 372 through fields to the top, nice views. | robertphillips | 18/01/2015 |
With Lorraine. Circular route via Georgefield, Whitefield and Cowdenknowes Mains. | raffemeister | 23/12/2014 |
MC | Martin66 | 10/12/2014 |
Route as Dugswell 2. Nice easy hill - 50 minutes up and down. | Crib Goch | 01/11/2014 |
jaizinho | 21/09/2014 | |
Like most, we parked in the little slot on the B6356, went by Cowdenknowes Mains and round onto the summit ridge. Hazy but fine view to Melrose and the Eildon Hills | pwheeler | 17/09/2014 |
Easily up from B6356 | AndrewFinnimore | 03/09/2014 |
Bruckner7 | 28/08/2014 | |
PGCE | 21/07/2014 | |
Neil Midgley | 15/06/2014 | |
JohnW | 09/06/2014 | |
grumpy | 18/04/2014 | |
DaveMcS | 22/03/2014 | |
Alone | SpudGunn | 16/02/2014 |
hils | 14/02/2014 | |
Clova | 25/01/2014 | |
ArdrossanWintonRover | 07/12/2013 | |
Sherlock | 11/11/2013 | |
Mr Apples | 21/10/2013 | |
ger | 10/05/2013 | |
richtea5040 | 02/02/2013 | |
Tony Rogers | 01/02/2013 | |
Dee Rogers | 01/02/2013 | |
Johnny Corbett | 30/12/2012 | |
Mudskipper | 13/09/2012 | |
iainwalton | 02/09/2012 | |
IainT | 02/08/2012 | |
GmacT | 04/07/2012 | |
elizyanne | 04/07/2012 | |
Lionel Bidwell | 17/06/2012 | |
Susan Bidwell | 17/06/2012 | |
foggieclimber | 12/03/2012 | |
beinn | 12/03/2012 | |
Wycombe Wanderer | 22/02/2012 | |
Thorny | 30/12/2011 | |
2nd hill of day after 600th. Parked on B road and walked to Cowdenknowes mains farm on permissive path, right at farm to hill foot and steeply to top. Good line | nordicstar | 10/12/2011 |
with Rick Salter and party | Topographer57 | 10/12/2011 |
jenx | 10/12/2011 | |
Colin Crawford | 07/12/2011 | |
nicolajane | 17/11/2011 | |
amcvey | 09/10/2011 | |
chrispine | 20/09/2011 | |
Parked at 580372 (13:50) and walked NE along signed footpath beside field and then path SE from farm to open country and steeply to top. Very pleasant hill, lovely day. | dbb | 15/09/2011 |
MuckleG | 05/07/2011 | |
russell61 | 14/06/2011 | |
benalder284 | 01/05/2011 | |
thelonious | 21/03/2011 | |
Janet M | 13/02/2011 | |
cmac | 03/01/2011 | |
softsquare | 01/01/2011 | |
peterstanding | 30/12/2010 | |
Crumblie2 | 30/12/2010 | |
Alan Whatley | 28/09/2010 | |
callumblack | 11/09/2010 | |
hillhunter | 28/07/2010 | |
GaryJones | 01/07/2010 | |
AndyS | 02/04/2010 | |
Parking at NT57998 37200 with access to hill via own new footpath around horse paddocks then follow beech hedge to get to base of steep climb on this lovely hill on bright + breezy late afternoon. | Dugswell2 | 27/03/2010 |
neimcv | 11/03/2010 | |
Revisit. Fine steep hill, lovely summit and view. Quick bag at first light before joining a friend for a canter round Broughton Heights. Waymarked path from 578373, NE then SE | RHW | 15/11/2009 |
Sunhat | 08/11/2009 | |
LizH | 17/10/2009 | |
PeterAH | 17/10/2009 | |
bedfordtom | 03/10/2009 | |
Tom Mundell | 06/09/2009 | |
hillsman | 22/08/2009 | |
Approached directly from NW, then back down via Cowdenknowes Mains, where two small dogs made a harmless nuisance of themselves. | agentmancuso | 09/04/2009 |
chriswatson | 15/03/2009 | |
From W skirting wood. Then horrible steep ascent through gorse and scree. | Aye Jimmy | 25/02/2009 |
silverhow | 17/01/2009 | |
Tricky | 05/11/2008 | |
mae | 25/10/2008 | |
Martin R | 24/08/2008 | |
KRae | 09/04/2008 | |
Tony S | 07/03/2008 | |
neilsan | 03/02/2008 | |
MIKE NICHOLLS | 25/10/2007 | |
ianwatson | 26/09/2007 | |
Emma and Simon | 01/09/2007 | |
ARC | 28/07/2007 | |
daviemore | 09/07/2007 | |
jimbloomer | 16/05/2007 | |
Calico | 08/03/2007 | |
Galltywenallt | 31/12/2006 | |
Martyn1 | 08/12/2006 | |
Andrew Simmons | 06/12/2006 | |
ajwxyzt | 25/11/2006 | |
fortyniner | 11/11/2006 | |
Solo hill run | HFB | 03/11/2006 |
GordonAdshead | 00/10/2006 | |
alda | 26/09/2006 | |
Alison R | 26/09/2006 | |
Parked car on B6356 almost at the junction of the private road at Cowdenknowes, where there was a little verge. Followed obvious lane leading to foot of hill. Nice views from top. | Jhimmy | 17/09/2006 |
Rob Pen y Garn | 12/09/2006 | |
BaggerGutt | 29/08/2006 | |
interloper | 29/08/2006 | |
Excellent Hill. Parked at NT598382 and followed the obvious path all the way to the top | M0ZZO | 14/08/2006 |
http://tomread.co.uk | m1eyp | 14/08/2006 |
Sandman | 08/07/2006 | |
Jim.Fothergill | 09/06/2006 | |
great views of the Eildons | SJ | 11/05/2006 |
RichardM | 27/04/2006 | |
Campbell Singer | 21/04/2006 | |
Adrian | 15/03/2006 | |
Halfdecent | 22/08/2005 | |
mcollins | 12/06/2005 | |
johnbarnard25 | 29/01/2005 | |
Lindsay M | 28/12/2004 | |
petesimpson | 13/11/2004 | |
Jon F | 30/10/2004 | |
iaindbrown | 27/08/2004 | |
David Purchase | 27/04/2004 | |
danpquinn | 13/01/2004 | |
RobertP | 20/12/2003 | |
Fletch | 04/10/2003 | |
KeithByTheC | 22/06/2003 | |
Parked on the B6356 and walked up past the settlement of Cowdenknowes Mains. Taking the track out to the SE from there brought us to open countryside. A steep climb then followed to reach the fort at the top of the hill. | garyhoney | 14/06/2003 |
chrisbien | 11/05/2003 | |
David Rawden | 30/04/2003 | |
maknipe | 27/04/2003 | |
Jim T | 03/01/2003 | |
fasgadh | 29/11/2002 | |
lordtonult | 25/05/2002 | |
Up from track with skylarks singing. | Eddie | 16/04/2002 |
3 kinnears | 12/04/2002 | |
bjewing | 11/04/2002 | |
Kiltie | 26/11/2001 | |
Colin Crawford | 08/10/2001 | |
alda | 06/10/2001 | |
Laurel | 16/01/2001 | |
Rowan | 16/01/2001 | |
From Cowdenknowes. With Slim Jim and S. | The Captain | 19/11/2000 |
bertbarnett123 | 03/11/2000 | |
Smudge | 01/10/2000 | |
At end of muddy bridal path 625' up a steep hillside to top at 14.50. | arranc | 01/09/2000 |
chalky1953 | 13/08/2000 | |
Date is first visit. Notes from later...lovely summit & view, no access problems encountered. (1) gate on B6356 @ 579372, cross paddock to far gate, then open slope (2) waymarked trail to start of track | RHW | 10/09/1999 |
Ran up and down in shorts and bare top -sweaty . On way to Edinburgh Airport for flight to Ecuador (via Amsterdam). Worried about being late -unnecessarily. | Chris Pearson | 24/07/1999 |
ChrisU | 10/05/1999 | |
PM | 13/06/1998 | |
john steel | 10/11/1996 | |
Minto | 22/06/1996 | |
Sherlock | 30/09/1995 | |
With Mum. Then again w P&N&Mum. With Celeste on 2005-07-08 in lovely weather. | Rounsfell | 06/06/1995 |
Mark Hodgson | 28/05/1995 | |
superstar_tradesman | 01/09/1986 | |
m0jla | 01/01/1970 | |
curlebd | 01/01/1970 | |
kanderson | 01/01/1970 | |
Bobf | 01/01/1950 | |
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