Scotland
Earncraig Hill
611M
2005FT
About Earncraig Hill
Tucked into the heart of the Lowther Hills, this craggy Donald marks the boundary between Dumfries and Galloway and South Lanarkshire. It possesses a rugged character often missing from its rounded neighbours, overlooking the Daer Reservoir and the infant River Clyde, with a useful refuge nearby at Burleywhag bothy.
Key Statistics
Rank
66th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Uplands
Prominence
?
109m
Nearest Town
Easter Earshaig
Geology
You are walking on the Queensberry Formation, a sturdy foundation of hardened sand, silt, and mud mixed with clusters of pebbles.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NS973013
Latitude
55.2958°N
Longitude
3.6187°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely derives from the Scots 'Earn' (eagle) and 'craig' (crag), suggesting it was historically a nesting site for golden eagles attracted to its atypically rocky northern face.
- •The hill forms a vital part of the catchment for the River Clyde; water from its slopes feeds the Potrail Water, which eventually merges with the Daer Water to form the start of the great river.
- •The summit offers a clear, direct view across the Daer Reservoir towards the masts and 'golf ball' radar station atop Lowther Hill and its neighbour, Green Lowther.
- •The hill is frequently approached from the south via Mitchellslacks, passing the remote Burleywhag bothy, which provides a convenient, if basic, shelter for those exploring this quieter section of the Southern Uplands.
- •At 611 metres, it is the lowest Donald in the Lowther range, qualifying for the list by a mere six metres—though the surrounding boggy ground ensures you still put in the work for it.