South Black Hill

About South Black Hill

Situated on the central spine of the Pentlands, this broad, heather-clad shoulder serves as a high-altitude link between Scald Law and the Kips. It offers a rugged, exposed feel underfoot, with expansive views south toward the Moorfoot Hills and north across the sprawling suburban fringes of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is a straightforward Scots-English descriptor; 'Black' hills in the Pentlands typically denote slopes dominated by dark heather or peat, contrasting with the 'Green' hills used for intensive sheep grazing.
• •It forms a vital section of the Pentland Skyline route, a classic hill-running and walking circuit that traverses the main peaks of the range in a single continuous ridge line.
• •The summit sits directly on the historic boundary between Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, which follows the natural watershed of the range.
• •To the north-east, the view is punctuated by the distinct silhouette of Arthur’s Seat and the basalt plug of Edinburgh Castle, while the bridges of the Firth of Forth are visible on clear days.
• •Despite its proximity to the capital, the hill is often overlooked by peak-baggers, who tend to treat it as a mere transition point while catching their breath between the more dramatic summits of Scald Law and the Kips.