Scotland
Drochil Hill
376M
1234FT
About Drochil Hill
Rising above the Lyne Water near Romanno Bridge, this grassy Southern Upland Hump is defined by the imposing ruins of Drochil Castle at its foot. It offers a short, straightforward climb with clear views across the valley towards the Meldon Hills and the sprawling Peeblesshire countryside beyond.
Key Statistics
Rank
642nd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Uplands
Prominence
?
137m
Nearest Town
Romanno Bridge
Geology
You are walking over layers of hardened mud, flint-like rock, and gritty sandstone. These materials combine to form the solid foundation of Drochil Hill.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NT155441
Latitude
55.6831°N
Longitude
3.3451°W
Did You Know?
- •The hill takes its name from the 16th-century Drochil Castle on its lower slopes, a massive Z-plan tower house intended for James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, who was executed before the building could be finished.
- •The name likely originates from the Gaelic 'drochaid', meaning a bridge, referencing the ancient crossing points over the nearby Lyne and Tarth Waters.
- •To the north, the summit provides a clear sightline to the Pentland Hills, while the distinctive silhouettes of the White Meldon and Black Meldon dominate the view to the east.
- •The castle at its base was never inhabited, meaning the only people to truly enjoy the Earl's intended view are the hillwalkers and sheep who frequent the summit today.