Scotland
Phawhope Hill
503M
1650FT
About Phawhope Hill
Tucked away at the head of the Ettrick Valley, this rounded Southern Upland summit offers a quiet, grassy ascent typical of the region. It stands within a cluster of high ridges, providing a clear perspective over the remote upper reaches of the Ettrick Water and the neighbouring heights of Bodesbeck Law and Ettrick Pen.
Key Statistics
Rank
351st Highest in Region
Parent Range
Ettrick Hills
Prominence
?
24
Nearest Town
Over Kirkhope
Geology
You are walking on the Kirkhope Formation, which consists of ancient layers of sand and mud that have been hardened by heat and pressure.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NT217102
Latitude
55.3803°N
Longitude
3.2362°W
Did You Know?
- •The name derives from the Scots 'faw' or 'fallow', meaning pale or brownish-yellow, and the Old English 'hope', describing a small valley or upland hollow. It effectively names the hill after the pale-coloured valley it overlooks.
- •Over Phawhope, a former shepherd's cottage at the southern foot of the hill, is maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association. It serves as a vital refuge for walkers exploring the remote head of the valley and is a popular overnight stop near the Southern Upland Way.
- •From the summit, there is a particularly stark view across the valley to the dark, craggy eastern face of Ettrick Pen, which contrasts sharply with the smoother, rolling contours of Phawhope itself.
- •The hill is frequently bypassed by hikers following the Southern Upland Way, which skirts the lower slopes to the south, making the summit a haven of solitude even when the long-distance trail is busy.
- •Attempting a direct line to the top from the valley floor ensures you will become intimately acquainted with the Ettrick Hills' primary export: bog cotton and saturated peat hags.