Scotland
Bishop Forest Hill
393M
1289FT
About Bishop Forest Hill
Rising above the quiet landscape of Dumfries and Galloway, this Southern Upland Marilyn is defined by its mix of rugged moorland and dense commercial plantation. While the lower slopes are heavily forested, the summit ridge breaks clear, rewarding walkers with a panoramic view that stretches across the Nith Valley toward the Solway Firth.
Key Statistics
Rank
410th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Uplands
Prominence
?
177m
Nearest Town
Dumfries and Galloway
Geology
Bishop Forest Hill rests on the Gala Unit 7 formation. You are walking on wacke, which is sandstone mixed with mud.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NX849796
Latitude
55.0978°N
Longitude
3.8052°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Bishop Forest' refers to the historical landholdings of the Bishop of Galloway, marking this area as former ecclesiastical forest land dating back centuries.
- •From the summit's triangulation pillar, the prominent coastal silhouette of Criffel is visible to the southeast, while the higher granite tops of the Galloway Hills dominate the western horizon.
- •Most walkers approach the summit from the north near Margley, following a combination of forest tracks and firebreaks that require a keen eye for navigation through the timber blocks.
- •The summit offers a bird's-eye view of the Glenkiln Reservoir area to the west, formerly famous for its outdoor sculpture gallery which included works by Henry Moore and Jacob Epstein.
- •The 'Forest' part of the name is an entirely accurate description of the approach, though fortunately, the trees have the good grace to stop just before they can obscure the summit cairn.