The 8 Most Amazing Peaks around Newtown And Eildon

For a unique experience at the Waterloo Monument atop Peniel Heugh, consider visiting during the late afternoon. The setting sun casts a warm glow over the Scottish Borders, enhancing the panoramic views from the summit. To access the monument's interior and climb the spiral staircase to the viewing platform, you can borrow a key from the Lothian Estates Office in nearby Bonjedward for a small fee. Remember to check the office's opening hours in advance to ensure availability. [1] https://scotlandstartshere.com/point-of-interest/the-waterloo-monument//

At just under 980 feet (300 metres), this cairn provides great views over Galashiels and Balmoral. Lower than some of the more famous hiking spots, it makes for a great hike that can be completed in a couple of hours. The Galashiels/Tweedbank area is a haven for hiking in Scotland, with multiple great peaks in one area. Galashiels is easily accessible by train so it's a fantastic place to start a hike up the New Cairn.

Eildon Hill North is an historic, photogenic and widely visible landmark in the Scottish Borders. At 1325 feet (404 m) this peak is the second highest of the three Eildon (pronounced ‘Eeldon’) Hills located just south of Melrose. The significance of Eildon Hill North was recognised by Bronze Age and Iron Age peoples and by the Romans. This peak was the site of the largest Iron Age hill fort in Scotland. Up to 2000 people are thought to have lived here at the same time. Today the pockmarks from hundreds of roundhouse platforms and nearly 1-mile of defences are still visible. When the Romans came in about 80 AD they built their mighty garrison fort called ‘Trimontium’ (named after the three Eildon peaks) immediately below Eildon Hill North and also placed a signal station on this summit. Trimontium was the largest Roman settlement north of Hadrian’s Wall. The short but steep climb up Eildon Hill North is well worth the effort! On a clear day you will be rewarded with stunning views. The popular St Cuthbert’s Way that runs from Melrose Abbey to Holy Island in Northumberland climbs over the col in the Eildon Hills and provides a pleasant way up Eildon Hill North.

The Waterloo Monument on Peniel Heugh was constructed between 1817 and 1824 to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo (1815). The timber cap on top of the Monument was added in 1867. It's a place of historical interest and with beautiful panoramic views.

It is worth stopping at this cairn to admire the views in all directions - back to the north toward Galashiels and then to the south to Yair Hill Forest. Beautiful!

The north summit of the Eildon Hills stands at 404m. It was the largest Iron Age hill fort in Scotland with spaces flattened for at least 300 dwellings and a set of walls and ramparts around the whole summit. Later the Romans built a signalling station here. Today it's a great running loop from Melrose taking in the three summits in a nice loop.

Great views of the surrounding area and the other Eildon HIlls. A steep mid section adds an element of toughness but the majority of the climb is pretty easy going.

At 314m, this Marilyn is the highest hill around, other than the Eildon hills. This hill can be tackled by parking on the minor road from Cowdenknowes and walking up the farm track to the hillside. The fastest approach from there is directly up the side of the hill.