Scotland
Cademuir Hill
415M
1362FT
About Cademuir Hill
Overlooking the Tweed Valley just south of Peebles, this prominent ridge offers a manageable but rewarding ascent. The broad, grassy summit is defined by its significant archaeological heritage, featuring impressive Iron Age hillfort remains. It provides clear, sweeping perspectives over the town and the rolling silhouettes of the surrounding Manor Hills.
Key Statistics
Rank
562nd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Uplands
Prominence
?
201.6m
Nearest Town
Peebles
Geology
You are walking across layers of hard, gritty sandstone. These durable rocks form the solid foundation of the hill beneath your feet.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NT241376
Latitude
55.6269°N
Longitude
3.2055°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely derives from the Brittonic 'cad' meaning battle and the Scots 'muir' for moorland, suggesting a long history of strategic importance in the Borders landscape.
- •The hill is home to two remarkably well-preserved Iron Age forts; the larger site, Cademuir Hill North, is defended by massive natural scree slopes and complex stone ramparts.
- •From the summit, walkers gain an excellent vantage point over the winding River Tweed and the Moorfoot Hills stretching away to the north.
- •The hill is a popular short detour for those walking the John Buchan Way, a long-distance path named after the 'Thirty-Nine Steps' author who spent much of his youth in this area.
- •Despite its modest height, its status as a Marilyn means it offers more actual climbing than several of the higher, more rounded summits found deeper in the Southern Uplands.