Posts tagged Roxburghshire
All The Scottish parkruns

There are currently 85 parkrun events in Scotland of which I have completed 8. The first was Pollok parkrun which started on December 6th 2008 and the newest is Ae Forest which started on July 25th 2026. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Scotland is ALLba

Only one 5k parkrun event has been permanently cancelled in Scotland. Inverness parkrun was held from September 2011 to March 14th 2020 and was replaced by Torvean parkrun

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.


The Central Belt:

A map of all parkrun events in the Central Belt ofScotland

Scottish parkruns by County

If you are looking through the list of Scottish parkruns below, you’ll notice that I have included both the Historic County and the present-day Council Area for each event. The Historic Counties are the traditional geographical divisions of Scotland. These boundaries were established centuries ago, some tracing their origins back to the Middle Ages, and they were formally used for local administration from the late 19th century right up until 1975. Today, these boundaries remain static, offering a fascinating glimpse into the map history and traditional cartography of the landscape we are running through.

The present-day Council Areas are Scotland’s modern administrative units. The current system of 32 single‑tier councils came into effect on 1 April 1996, replacing the two‑tier structure of regions and districts that had existed since 1975. These councils handle local services such as waste collection, education, and planning.

  • Lanarkshire is the Historic County with the most 5k parkrun events with 9.

  • Highland is the Council Area with the most 5k parkrun events with 9.


All of the Scottish parkrun events …

Below are each of the Scottish 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

  • The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.

  • Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.

  • Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.


Aberdeen

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Aberdeenshire

  • Council Area: Aberdeen City

  • Inaugural: October 8th 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Ae Forest

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Dumfriesshire

  • Council Area: Dumfries and Galloway

  • Inaugural: July 25th 2026

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Agnew

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Wigtownshire

  • Council Area: Dumfries and Galloway

  • Inaugural: December 14th 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Alness

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Ross-shire / Ross and Cromarty

  • Council Area: Highland

  • Inaugural: August 26th 2017

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Anagach Woods

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Morayshire

  • Council Area: Highland

  • Inaugural: August 23rd 2025

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Auldcathie District

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: West Lothian

  • Council Area: West Lothian

  • Inaugural: January 7th 2023

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Aviemore

  • I completed this event on: June 14th 2025 with a finish time of: 25:43

  • Other routes touched (walk): Speyside Way

  • Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 7

  • Historic County: Inverness-shire

  • Council Area: Highland

  • Inaugural: May 6th 2017

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Ayr

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Ayrshire

  • Council Area: South Ayrshire

  • Inaugural: September 20th 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Beecraigs Country Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: West Lothian

  • Council Area: West Lothian

  • Inaugural: December 27th 2025

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Belladrum

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Inverness-shire

  • Council Area: Highland

  • Inaugural: January 24th 2026

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Bo’ness Foreshore

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: West Lothian

  • Council Area: Falkirk

  • Inaugural: October 4th 2025

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Bressay

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Shetland

  • Council Area: Shetland Islands

  • Inaugural: January 20th 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Broughty Ferry Esplanade

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Angus

  • Council Area: Dundee City

  • Inaugural: June 27th 2026

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Camperdown

  • I completed this event on: September 28th 2024 with a finish time of: 27:05

  • Other routes touched: None

  • Historic County: Angus

  • Council Area: Dundee City

  • Inaugural: May 19th 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Carlingwark Loch

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Kirkcudbrightshire

  • Council Area: Dumfries and Galloway

  • Inaugural: October 21st 2023

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Castle Woods

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Aberdeenshire

  • Council Area: Aberdeenshire

  • Inaugural: May 17th 2025

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Crathes Castle

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Aberdeenshire

  • Council Area: Aberdeenshire

  • Inaugural: February 9th 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Crichton

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Dumfriesshire

  • Council Area: Dumfries and Galloway

  • Inaugural: January 6th 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Crinan Canal

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Argyllshire

  • Council Area: Argyll and Bute

  • Inaugural: August 31st 2024

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Cuningar Loop

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lanarkshire

  • Council Area: South Lanarkshire

  • Inaugural: March 8th 2025

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Dean Castle Country Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Ayrshire

  • Council Area: East Ayrshire

  • Inaugural: August 31st 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Drumchapel

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Dunbartonshire

  • Council Area: Glasgow City

  • Inaugural: June 4th 2016

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Drumlarig Castle

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Dumfriesshire

  • Council Area: Dumfries and Galloway

  • Inaugural: May 9th 2026

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Drumpellier Country

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lanarkshire

  • Council Area: North Lanarkshire

  • Inaugural: July 27th 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Dunfermline

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Fife

  • Council Area: Fife

  • Inaugural: July 4th 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Edinburgh

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Midlothian

  • Council Area: City of Edinburgh

  • Inaugural: October 17th 2009

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Eglinton

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Ayrshire

  • Council Area: North Ayrshire

  • Inaugural: March 16th 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Elder Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lanarkshire

  • Council Area: Glasgow City

  • Inaugural: June 11th 2022

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Elgin

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Morayshire

  • Council Area: Moray

  • Inaugural: March 5th 2016

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Ellon

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Aberdeenshire

  • Council Area: Aberdeenshire

  • Inaugural: October 17th 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Erskine Waterfront

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Renfrewshire

  • Council Area: Renfrewshire

  • Inaugural: November 19th 2022

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Falkirk

  • I completed this event on: August 10th 2024 with a finish time of: 28:08

  • Other routes touched (walk): John Muir Way

  • Other routes touched (cycle): HArRTT

  • Historic County: Stirlingshire

  • Council Area: Falkirk

  • Inaugural: July 16th 2011

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Faskally Forest

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Perthshire

  • Council Area: Perth and Kinross

  • Inaugural: March 7th 2020

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

FeldyRoo Fitness Trail

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Perthshire

  • Council Area: Perth and Kinross

  • Inaugural: April 12th 2025

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Forfar Loch

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Angus

  • Council Area: Angus

  • Inaugural: February 12th 2022

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Fort William

  • I completed this event on: August 17th 2024 with a finish time of: 28:02

  • Other routes touched: None

  • Historic County: Inverness-shire

  • Council Area: Highland

  • Inaugural: April 7th 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Ganavan Sands

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Argyllshire

  • Council Area: Argyll and Bute

  • Inaugural: August 20th 2016

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Girvan Prom

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Ayrshire

  • Council Area: South Ayrshire

  • Inaugural: July 28th 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Greenock

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Renfrewshire

  • Council Area: Inverclyde

  • Inaugural: May 17th 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Hay Lodge

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Peeblesshire

  • Council Area: Scottish Borders

  • Inaugural: November 3rd 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Hazlehead

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Aberdeenshire

  • Council Area: Aberdeen City

  • Inaugural: August 16th 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Holyrood

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Midlothian

  • Council Area: City of Edinburgh

  • Inaugural: July 16th 2022

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Inverness

***Inverness parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***

  • I did not complete this event before it was closed

  • County: Inverness-shire / Highland

  • Inaugural: September 3rd 2011. Final event: #432 on March 14th 2020

  • Reason for cancellation: Original venue became unavailable

  • Replaced by: Torvean

  • Links: Event Home Page

 

Kirkcaldy

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Fife

  • Council Area: Fife

  • Inaugural: February 14th 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Kirkwall

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Orkney

  • Council Area: Orkney Islands

  • Inaugural: April 21st 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Lady Mary’s Walk

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Perthshire

  • Council Area: Perth and Kinross

  • Inaugural: April 18th 2026

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Lanark Moor

  • I completed this event on: September 25th 2025 with a finish time of: 27:27

  • Other routes touched: None

  • Historic County: Lanarkshire

  • Council Area: South Lanarkshire

  • Inaugural: August 11th 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Largs Prom

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Ayrshire

  • Council Area: North Ayrshire

  • Inaugural: May 28th 2022

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Levengrove

  • I completed this event on: September 9th 2023 with a finish time of: 26:09

  • Other routes touched (walk): The Shore Circular Path

  • Historic County: Dunbartonshire

  • Council Area: West Dunbartonshire

  • Inaugural: December 7th 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Lews Castle

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Ross-shire

  • Council Area: Outer Hebrides

  • Inaugural: January 11th 2020

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Linwood

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Renfrewshire

  • Council Area: Renfrewshire

  • Inaugural: July 9th 2016

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Livingston

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: West Lothian

  • Council Area: West Lothian

  • Inaugural: January 9th 2016

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Loch Leven

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Kinross-shire

  • Council Area: Perth and Kinross

  • Inaugural: August 11th 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Lochend Woods

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: East Lothian

  • Council Area: East Lothian

  • Inaugural: March 23rd 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Lochore Meadows

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Fife

  • Council Area: Fife

  • Inaugural: May 19th 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Meadowmill

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: East Lothian

  • Council Area: East Lothian

  • Inaugural: February 9th 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Montrose

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Angus

  • Council Area: Angus

  • Inaugural: July 8th 2017

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Mount Stuart

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Buteshire

  • Council Area: Argyll and Bute

  • Inaugural: September 7th 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Nairn Links

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Nairnshire

  • Council Area: Highland

  • Inaugural: March 29th 2025

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Oriam

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Midlothian

  • Council Area: City of Edinburgh

  • Inaugural: November 2nd 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Palacerigg Country

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Dunbartonshire

  • Council Area: North Lanarkshire

  • Inaugural: August 27th 2022

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Perth

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Perthshire

  • Council Area: Perth and Kinross

  • Inaugural: November 30th 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Plean

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Stirlingshire

  • Council Area: Stirling

  • Inaugural: November 18th 2017

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Polkemmet Country

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: West Lothian

  • Council Area: West Lothian

  • Inaugural: May 25th 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Pollok, Glasgow

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lanarkshire

  • Council Area: Glasgow City

  • Inaugural: December 6th 2008

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Portobello, Edinburgh

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Midlothian

  • Council Area: City of Edinburgh

  • Inaugural: April 18th 2015

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Queen’s, Glasgow

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lanarkshire

  • Council Area: Glasgow City

  • Inaugural: February 25th 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Riverside Park, Glenrothes

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Fife

  • Council Area: Fife

  • Inaugural: June 14th 2024

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Ruchill

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lanarkshire

  • Council Area: Glasgow City

  • Inaugural: April 15th 2017

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Skinadin

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Inverness-shire

  • Council Area: Highland

  • Inaugural: August 10th 2024

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Springburn

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lanarkshire

  • Council Area: Glasgow City

  • Inaugural: May 10th 2014

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

St Andrews

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Fife

  • Council Area: Fife

  • Inaugural: April 21st 2012

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Stonehaven

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Kincardineshire

  • Council Area: Aberdeenshire

  • Inaugural: September 10th 2016

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Strathclyde

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lanarkshire

  • Council Area: North Lanarkshire

  • Inaugural: April 10th 2010

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Thurso

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Caithness

  • Council Area: Highland

  • Inaugural: April 14th 2018

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Tollcross

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Lanarkshire

  • Council Area: Glasgow City

  • Inaugural: May 18th 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Torvean

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Inverness-shire

  • Council Area: Highland

  • Inaugural: September 4th 2021

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Troon

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Ayrshire

  • Council Area: South Ayrshire

  • Inaugural: December 2nd 2017

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

University of Stirling

  • I completed this event on: September 24th 2022 with a finish time of: 24:20

  • Other routes touched (walk): Henry Milne Walk

  • Historic County: Stirlingshire

  • Council Area: Stirling

  • Inaugural: October 12th 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Ury Riverside

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Aberdeenshire

  • Council Area: Aberdeenshire

  • Inaugural: November 2nd 2019

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Victoria

  • I completed this event on: June 6th 2026 with a finish time of: 28:40

  • Other routes touched: None

  • Historic County: Lanarkshire

  • Council Area: Glasgow City

  • Inaugural: October 12th 2013

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Vogrie

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Midlothian

  • Council Area: Midlothian

  • Inaugural: March 11th 2017

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Wallaceneuk

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Roxburghshire

  • Council Area: Scottish Borders

  • Inaugural: January 18th 2020

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

West Links

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Angus

  • Council Area: Angus

  • Inaugural: January 15th 2022

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Whitekirk Hill

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: East Lothian

  • Council Area: East Lothian

  • Inaugural: September 16th 2023

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

Wilton Lodge Park

  • I have not yet completed this event

  • Historic County: Roxburghshire

  • Council Area: Scottish Borders

  • Inaugural: April 11th 2026

  • Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

 

More parkrun posts

parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.

Featured and popular parkrun posts:


North-East England County Tops
View from Burnhope Seat summit to the Trig Pillar

View from Burnhope Seat summit to the Trig Pillar


We had the dates for this in the diary for most of the year, even before Covid-19 became the thing that defined 2020. When the Lockdown came in March we we glad we had booked it in for later in the year and had assumed that the virus would have blown over by then. By mid-Summer things were relaxing and it was looking like there wouldn’t be a problem for the trip at all. September came, cases started rising again and the North-East was right in the centre of a local Lockdown. The rules were especially ambiguous and it was only the day before the trip that we decided that we would still be able to go. So, without breaking any rules and keeping as safe as possible, 3 of us headed North to complete the North-East County Tops.

As it turned out Covid had a very minimal impact on the plan. Our YHA for the first 2 nights was in Northumberland and had strict procedures. Rather than sharing one big room as per our usual trips, we had to have a room each under separate bookings. Breakfast was strictly one person per table, but given my lack of interest in talking to anyone 1st thing in the morning, it wasn’t a major inconvenience. Other than that we were out in the hills all day and the rare instances of coming in contact with others were few and far between and at quite a distance.

Being able to complete these 3, and by extension my completion of all of England’s County Tops, was a major win for me for 2020. Most other plans had been cancelled or postponed until 2021, so keeping this felt like a big achievement.


Burnhope Seat

Significance: Highest peak in County Durham (Historic CT)
Member of: Hewitt, Marilyn, Nuttall
Parent Peak: Cross Fell. NHN = Meldon Fell
Elevation: 747m
Date climbed: October 1st 2020
Coordinates: 54.7331° N, 2.3369° W
Route Start / End: 2-car layby on B6277 north of kink in road over stream bridge, south of Yad Moss ski area
Route Distance: 3.1 km (1.9 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 160m
Subsidiary tops on route: none
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: none
OS Trig Pillar: TP1783 - Burnhope Seat
Map: OS Explorer Map (307) Consett and Derwent Reservoir
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)
Links: Wikipedia (County Durham), Wikipedia (Burnhope Seat), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Burnhope Seat and Mickle Fell are a short car journey apart and can be easily done in a single day with fair weather. We had a long drive from the south which took up much of our first day so we used this short walk as a break in the journey.

Jonny Muir’s County Top guide suggests a parking space on the B6277 at NY 7754 3640 but we found a more convenient one a bit further north on the same road. The layby in the book is quite small and at a steep angle from the road so we gave it a miss. From the larger layby near the stream bridge you can cross over a wooden gate on the opposite side. From here follow the left hand side of the stream, passing the ruins of an old building and use the GPS to keep you on-track for the high point. From the un-marked summit you can see the Trig Pillar to the east along the fence.


The Cheviot

Significance: Highest peak in Northumberland (Historic CT) and Northumberland National Park High Point
Member of: Marilyn, Hewitt, Nuttall
Parent Peak: Broad Law. NHN = Dollar Law
Elevation: 815m
Date climbed: October 2nd 2020
Coordinates: 55°28′42″N 2°08′44″W 
OS Trig Pillar: TP2152 - Cheviot
Links Wikipedia (Northumberland), Wikipedia (The Cheviot), Wikipedia (Northumberland National Park), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Hangingstone Hill

Also Known As: Cairn Hill West Top
Significance: 
Highest peak in Roxburghshire, Scotland (Historic CT)
Member of: n/a
Parent Peak: Cairn Hill. NHN = The Cheviot
Elevation:
 743m
Date climbed: October 2nd 2020
Coordinates: 55° 28' 3'' N, 2° 9' 59'' W
Links: Wikipedia (Roxburghshire), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Route Start / End: parking area off small road to Langleeford, accessed from A697 via Middleton Hall
Route Distance: 15.3 km (9.5 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 620m
Subsidiary tops on route: Scald Hill (548m), Cairn Hill (777m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Pennine Way
Other routes touched (cycle): none
Map: OS Explorer OL16 The Cheviot Hills, Jedburgh & Wooler
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)

This walk was the longest and most rewarding of the 3 especially as it's a circuit rather than an out-and-back like the others. If you’re using Jonny Muir’s guide this is a combination of the separate routes for The Cheviot and for Hangingstone Hill. It’s pretty obvious to do them both in the same walk so I’ve got no idea why they’re separated in the book. Both use the same start and end point and each trip is a return for the other.

We took an anti-clockwise approach taking in The Cheviot first via Scald Hill. Continuing south-west along the Pennine Way from The Cheviot you’ll soon get to the summit of Cairn Hill. From here there’s a short out-and-back section to the Scottish border to reach Hangingstone Hill (aka Cairn HIll West Top). There’s little to see here and bagging the top just involves a quick crossing of the gate to a slightly higher piece of moss.

From Hangingstone Hill retrace your steps back up to Cairn Hill summit and follow the path sign-posted to Windy Gale. After a short steep section keeping a fence to your right you’ll reach a footpath junction. Take the east (left) path signed to Langleeford Hope (2¼) and Langleeford (3½). This path will take you all the way back to the start following Harthope Burn (stream).


Mickle Fell

Significance: Highest peak in Yorkshire (Historic CT) and the historic North Riding of Yorkshire
Member of: Marilyn, Hewitt, Nuttall
Parent Peak: Cross Fell. NHN = Knock Fell
Elevation: 788m
Date climbed: October 3rd 2020
Coordinates: 54°36′48″N 2°18′18″W
Route Start / End: Parking spot on B6276 to west of cattle grid between the Cumbria and County Durham county signs.
Route Distance: 17.2 km (10.7 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 505m
Subsidiary tops on route: none
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: none
OS Trig Pillar: TP4789 - Mickle Fell
Map: OS Explorer OL19 Howgill Fells Upper Eden Valley Map
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)
Links: Wikipedia (Yorkshire), Wikipedia (North Riding of Yorkshire), Wikipedia (Mickle Fell) / Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Mickle Fell is on a military firing range which is only open to the public on a few select days per year. You can apply for a permit to access the land from MOD Warcop. Based on our experience I recommend starting the application process early. It took over 3 months for me to get the permit from sending the application letter. There’s nothing complicated about the process, it’s just slow. With the permit secured the other thing that you need to do is call the control room number on the permit as you start the walk and again when you finish. We didn’t have phone signal at all on the walk so we were glad to have made the call in the car 10 minutes before arriving at the parking space.

The parking space is easy to find as it’s right next to the Welcome to Cumbria sign. From here cross the road and over a wire fence to access the hill. Strangely there’s no gate or stile even though this is the recommended approach. You can see where others have climbed through or over the fence though.

Much of the walk is very easy to navigate, even on a low-visibility day like we had. Follow the boundary fence, keeping it to your left all the way up to the summit plateau. A lot of the route is boggy underfoot and you’ll need to navigate around streams, loose peat and marsh-land. We were there on an especially wet day and it was all we could do to keep our feet dry.

There’s a steep climb up to the summit plateau where you’ll cross a fence via a stile and can pick up some Land Rover tracks. Keep to these heading on an easterly curve and they’ll lead you to the summit cairn and the Trig Pillar.

We were there on one of the wettest days possible. If the route was closer to home and we didn’t need a permit we might have delayed it for another day, but we had little option but to press on. The only other person we met on the approach had reached the summit but hadn’t bothered with the extra ~2km to the Trig Pillar. I could see how tempting it would have been on a day like that to have missed it. Given our Trig-obsession we weren’t going to miss it though and took the extra hour to bag the pillar.

The descent was much quicker as we had abandoned any attempt to avoid the wet marsh and mostly walked straight through it. At 5.5 hours of driving rain we arrived at the car as wet as if we had swum to the summit. It was challenging but it also meant that I had now completed all County Tops in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Now for the rest of Scotland…



OTHER HIGH POINTS IN County Durham

OTHER HIGH POINTS IN Northumberland

  • Westerhope (131m) North Tyneside Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging

  • Camperdown (86m) North Tyneside Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging

OTHER HIGH POINT IN Yorkshire