Walking in the Southern Uplands

Explore the wild, untamed hills of Scotland’s Southern Uplands with 44 inspiring day walks covering over 100 summits between Edinburgh and the English border. From the green slopes of the Pentland Hills and the dramatic heights of Merrick to the mysteries of the Cheviots and the Border Ridge, these routes reveal a landscape of smooth classics and hidden surprises, perfect for year-round exploration and true hill-country solitude.
Ideal for walkers of all abilities, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook features 44 routes ranging from 3 to 29km (2–18 miles), each designed to showcase the best of the Southern Uplands. Walks are easily accessed from Newton Stewart, Glentrool, Nithsdale, Biggar, Moffat, Peebles, Edinburgh, and Kirk Yetholm, offering both gentle grassy rambles and challenging high-level traverses across more than 80 hills above 600m (2000ft).

Experience the best of the Southern Uplands, from the wild heights of Merrick (843m) and the rugged Galloway Hills near Newton Stewart and Glentrool, to the dramatic slopes of Hart Fell and the Devil’s Beeftub above Moffat, the iconic summit of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, and the winding valleys of the River Tweed near Peebles and Biggar.
Enjoy year-round walking, with routes graded from easy paths in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh to pathless, stamina-testing ascents in the Cheviots and remote Border Ridge above Kirk Yetholm. April to June often brings the clearest air and driest weather for exploring these diverse landscapes.
Choose from 44 varied routes, each with a 1:50,000 OS map extract, route summary, start and finish points, estimated walking time, ascent and maximum altitude, terrain and parking details, plus free downloadable GPX files for every walk. Walks are easily accessed from bases such as Newton Stewart, Glentrool, Nithsdale, Biggar, Moffat, Peebles, Edinburgh, and Kirk Yetholm.
Discover local history and hidden stories with expert advice on the Borders’ boundaries, the legacy of the Border reivers around the Tweed and Cheviot, tales of the Covenanters in the hills near Nithsdale and Moffat, and practical tips on transport, accommodation, and facilities throughout the Southern Uplands region.


Plan your Southern Uplands adventure with this definitive Cicerone guidebook and discover one of Scotland’s most distinctive and uncrowded hill regions at your own pace, in every season.