Scotland
Bellybought Hill
446M
1463FT
About 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.
Key Statistics
Rank
332nd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Uplands
Prominence
?
128m
Nearest Town
Thornhill
Geology
The ground beneath you is made of a muddy sandstone called wacke. This rock belongs to the Gala Unit 4 formation, which shapes the hill's landscape.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NS909000
Latitude
55.2820°N
Longitude
3.7192°W
Did You Know?
- •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.