I ascended a couple of short Marilyns this morning, following my stay in Town Yetholm.

Hill: Housedon Hill (Northumberland)
Date: Monday 12th March 2012
Company: Myself and Beinn
Time: c. 40 Mins
Dog friendly: Yes

The first Marilyn I ascended is the Northernmost Marilyn in England – Housedon Hill.
According to the internet, there was no legal right of access to this hill until recently.

I ascended from Housedonhaugh, where there is room for a couple of cars at the start of the track.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

Housedon Hill from start of access track:


It was nice to see a couple of Mute Swans at the start of the walk.

Swans on Bowmont Water:


I opted for a direct ascent of the hill, following a faint vehicle track.

Housedon Hill ascent:


Homilton Hill from slopes of Housedon Hill:


Following track to summit:


View from Housedon Hill:


I reached the summit in just over 20 minutes.

Small cairn at summit of Housedon Hill:


I also visited the high-point next to the wood in the next photo as it looked about the same height as the summit. On reaching the wood, the summit cairn seemed higher .

Beinn at the summit of Housedon Hill:


I returned to the car via the same route.
On the way home, I also ascended Black Hill near Melrose/Earlston.


Hill: Black Hill (Nr. Melrose)
Date: Monday 12th March 2012
Company: Myself and Beinn
Time: c. 40 Mins
Dog friendly: Yes

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

I followed the signs for Black Hill until reaching the open hillside. I then again opted for a direct steep ascent.

Black Hill from start of track:


Black Hill:


Steep ascent of Black Hill:


There were numerous sheep tracks on the way up, zig-zagging through the scree.

View from scree slopes of Black Hill:


Approaching the summit trig point:


It was nice to see the Eildon Hills again – I saw these hills the day previous from Linton Hill.
An ascent of the Eildons is definitely now on my to-do list.

View towards the Eildon hills from the summit of Black Hill:


Eildon Hills (zoomed):


There were also good views of Earlston from the summit.

Earlston from summit of Black Hill:


Earlston (zoomed):


I returned to the car via the same route.