Fastheugh Hill

Rising above the Yarrow Valley near Yarrowford, this rounded Southern Upland summit offers a quiet alternative to the busier nearby trails. The ascent reveals a wide panorama over the Yarrow Water, with clear views across to Minch Moor and the distinctive, three-peaked silhouette of the Eildon Hills to the east.

• •The name combines the Scots 'heugh', meaning a steep bank or glen side, with 'fast', which historically referred to a stronghold or firm enclosure overlooking the Yarrow valley.
• •It is frequently climbed as part of a circular walk from Yarrowford, often paired with the neighbouring Hangingshaw Hill or visited as a detour from the popular Three Brethren route.
• •The summit provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the Broadmeadows estate and the deep, wooded clefts of the Ettrick Forest hills to the south.
• •In these hills, the name 'Fastheugh' is more likely a nod to an old defensive site than an indication of how quickly you will negotiate the thick, local heather.