Scotland
Black Hill
531M
1742FT
About Black Hill
Rising above the Mennock Pass in the Southern Uplands, this rounded moorland peak offers a quieter alternative to the radar-topped summits nearby. Its grassy slopes provide steady walking, leading to a broad summit with wide-reaching views across the rolling Lowther Hills and the deep, hidden valleys of the Nithsdale border.
Key Statistics
Rank
166th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Lowther Hills
Prominence
?
89
Nearest Town
Durisdeer
Geology
You are walking upon the Shinnel Formation, a solid base of muddy sandstone that was once sediment on the floor of an ancient ocean.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NS894058
Latitude
55.3342°N
Longitude
3.7441°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is a common descriptive term in the Southern Uplands, likely referring to the dark appearance of heather or peat hags when contrasted with the 'green' grassy hills typical of the range, such as the neighbouring Green Lowther.
- •The hill sits on the edge of the historic Leadhills and Wanlockhead mining district, an area historically dubbed 'God's Treasure House' due to the high concentration of lead, silver, and gold found in the surrounding glens.
- •A popular ascent route begins in the village of Leadhills, Scotland's second-highest settlement, following ancient trackways once used by miners and lead-transporters.
- •From the summit, the most prominent landmark is the large, white 'golf ball' radar station atop Lowther Hill to the south-west, which serves as a major navigation aid for walkers in the area.
- •Despite the name, a visitor is far more likely to encounter various shades of bog-brown and sheep-mown green than anything approaching actual black.