Bellybought Hill

Tucked away in the Moorfoot Hills, this rounded Southern Uplands summit rises above the Heriot Water. It offers a quieter alternative to the busier Blackhope Scar nearby. The terrain is typical of the range: a mix of coarse grass and heather that requires sturdy boots, rewarding walkers with clear views over the Borders.

• •The name likely derives from the Scots word 'bught' or 'bought', referring to a sheepfold—specifically one used for milking ewes—reflecting the long history of pastoral farming in this part of the Southern Uplands.
• •From the summit, you can look south across the deep valley of the Heriot Water towards the higher, bulkier masses of Dundreich and Jeffries Corse.
• •It is frequently climbed as part of a long, undulating horseshoe walk starting from the village of Heriot, often grouped with the neighboring tops of Emly Bank and Rough Moss.
• •While it qualifies as both a Hump and a Tump, the local sheep population continues to treat the summit with a level of indifference that only a dedicated hill-bagger would find surprising.