Pykestone Hill

Rising above the village of Drumelzier, this prominent Donald offers a classic Southern Uplands experience. Its grassy slopes lead to a distinctive summit defined by the sharp, protruding rocks that give the hill its name. It is frequently climbed alongside Drumelzier Law or as a quieter alternative to the busier Tweedsmuir peaks.

• •The name is a literal description of the summit landscape; in Scots, a 'pyke' refers to a sharp point or protruding rock, several of which break through the turf at the highest point.
• •A popular circular route links Pykestone Hill with the neighbouring Drumelzier Law to the north, following a high ridge that offers clear views over the winding River Tweed and toward the distant Pentland Hills.
• •From the summit, walkers are rewarded with a direct view south into the deep, glacial trench of the Manor Valley and the sprawling massif of Broad Law, the highest point in the Southern Uplands.
• •While it reaches a respectable 737 metres, the hill is often overlooked in favour of more famous neighbours, meaning you are far more likely to share the summit with a startled grouse than a crowd of hikers.