Scotland
Stake Hill
544M
1785FT
About Stake Hill
Tucked away in the rolling Southern Uplands, this grassy dome rises quietly above the Dalveen Pass. It captures the quintessential character of the Lowther Hills: smooth, windswept slopes and deep-seated solitude. The summit provides an excellent vantage point for watching the road snake through the steep-sided pass far below.
Key Statistics
Rank
151st Highest in Region
Parent Range
Lowther Hills
Prominence
?
22
Nearest Town
Leadhills
Geology
Stake Hill is composed of the Portpatrick Formation, which consists of a muddy sandstone. This rock was created from layers of sediment that settled on an ancient seafloor.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NS883124
Latitude
55.3935°N
Longitude
3.7649°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is likely derived from the Old Scots 'stake', referring to a post used as a boundary marker or to delineate grazing rights in these high, featureless pastures.
- •Walkers often combine the hill with nearby Well Hill, forming a pleasant high-level circuit starting from the historic village of Durisdeer to the south.
- •The northern slopes overlook the Dalveen Pass, a dramatic glacial breach through the Lowther range that has served as a vital transport corridor since at least the Roman occupation.
- •From the top, you gain a clear perspective of the white radar dome on Lowther Hill to the northeast and the distant, rugged silhouettes of the Galloway Hills across the Nith Valley.
- •In typical Southern Upland fashion, the terrain underfoot is often more like a saturated sponge than solid ground, ensuring your choice of footwear is thoroughly tested.