Scotland
Cacra Hill
472M
1547FT
About Cacra Hill
Rising above the Ettrick Water in the Scottish Borders, this rounded Southern Upland peak offers a quiet, grassy ascent. Though modest in height, its status as a Marilyn ensures a sense of isolation. The summit, marked by a trig pillar, provides clear views across the rolling Ettrick Forest towards the distant Moffat Hills.
Key Statistics
Rank
434th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Uplands
Prominence
?
166.9m
Nearest Town
Scottish Borders
Geology
Cacra Hill sits on the Glendearg Formation. These rocks were once layers of sand and mud, toughened into hard stone by intense heat and pressure.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NT317173
Latitude
55.4451°N
Longitude
3.0802°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Cacra' is shared with the nearby farm, Cacra Bank, and likely stems from Cumbric roots, reflecting the ancient British heritage of the Ettrick Valley landscape.
- •The summit is marked by an Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar, which serves as an excellent vantage point for spotting the distinctive flat-topped silhouettes of the Moffat Hills to the southwest.
- •On a clear day, look northeast beyond the rolling Border hills to see the three iconic volcanic peaks of the Eildon Hills standing out against the horizon near Melrose.
- •Its classification as a Marilyn—a hill with at least 150 metres of prominence—highlights its physical independence; it is separated from its higher neighbours by a significant drop into the surrounding glens.
- •The hill is so blissfully overlooked by the crowds that the local sheep have developed a look of genuine surprise for anyone who actually makes it to the trig pillar.