Turn Hill

About Turn Hill

Rising above the Mennock Pass in the rolling Southern Uplands, this rounded, grassy dome offers a quieter alternative to its more prominent neighbours. The terrain is typical of the Lowthers—smooth, peat-scarred, and windswept—providing a straightforward ascent with expansive views across the Nith Valley towards the Galloway Hills.

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Did You Know?

• •The name likely derives from the Scots or Middle English 'turn', referring to a sharp change in direction of the ridge line or the steep ascent out of the Mennock Pass.
• •The hill overlooks the historic mining landscapes of Wanlockhead, a region once known as 'God's Treasure House' due to its rich deposits of lead, silver, and gold.
• •From the summit, the distinctive 'golf ball' radar station atop Lowther Hill dominates the eastern skyline, while the jagged peaks of Arran are often visible across the Firth of Clyde to the west.
• •A traverse from here to the neighbouring heights is often less of a walk and more of a strategic exercise in avoiding the black, bottomless peat hags that define the local plateau.