Scotland
Alwhat
628M
2060FT
About Alwhat
Located in the remote Carsphairn Hills on the border of East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway, this 628m Tump is characterized by broad, grassy slopes. Often tackled alongside its higher neighbours, Alhang and Blacklorg Hill, the summit offers a lonely but rewarding perspective over the head of the Afton Water.
Key Statistics
Rank
50th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Uplands
Prominence
?
62m
Nearest Town
East Ayrshire
Geology
Under your boots lies the Kirkcolm Formation, composed of a rugged, muddy sandstone known as wacke. This rock forms the very foundation of Alwhat.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NS646020
Latitude
55.2938°N
Longitude
4.1330°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely stems from the Gaelic 'Aill', meaning a rock or cliff, though the modern hill presents a rounded, grassy profile typical of the Southern Uplands.
- •Alwhat sits on a significant local watershed; rainfall on its northern slopes feeds the Afton Water, while the southern side drains toward the Water of Ken and the Solway Firth.
- •The summit provides an excellent vantage point to view the Afton Reservoir and the craggy eastern face of Craigbraneoch Rig across the valley.
- •The hill is most commonly accessed via the Southern Upland Way or as part of a high-level circuit starting from the head of Glen Afton to the north.
- •While the map suggests an easy walk, the col between Alwhat and Blacklorg Hill is notorious among local hikers for its particularly deep and labyrinthine peat hags.