Oatlee Hill

Hill, Mountain in Berwickshire

Scotland

Oatlee Hill

Oatlee Hill is a prominent hill located in the county of Berwickshire, Scotland. Rising to a height of approximately 210 meters (690 feet), it forms a distinctive feature in the local landscape. The hill is situated near the village of Oatlee, which lies in the southeastern part of the county.

Oatlee Hill offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, making it a popular destination for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers. From its summit, one can admire the rolling green hills, fertile farmland, and the meandering River Tweed that flows nearby. On clear days, it is even possible to catch a glimpse of the North Sea in the distance.

The hill is easily accessible via a network of well-maintained trails and footpaths. These routes cater to various fitness levels, ensuring that visitors of all abilities can enjoy the beauty of Oatlee Hill. The area is known for its diverse flora and fauna, with wildflowers, heather, and grasses adorning the slopes. It is not uncommon to spot various bird species, small mammals, and even deer in the vicinity.

Oatlee Hill holds historical significance, with remnants of ancient settlements and structures dating back to prehistoric times. Archaeological excavations have uncovered evidence of human activity, including burial sites and artifacts, indicating that the hill played a significant role in the lives of early inhabitants.

Overall, Oatlee Hill presents an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and rich history of Berwickshire, offering a captivating experience for those who venture to its summit.

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Oatlee Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.918355/-2.187812 or Grid Reference NT8869. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Dowlaw Dean

Rob Wallace

Small pond with derelict building near Brander Heugh

The small derelict building is the remains of a WW2 marker shelter for an aircraft firing range - more detail here: Link

Rob Wallace

Looking down from Brander Heugh towards Lumsdaine Shore

Rob Wallace

A snoozing grey seal pup at Lumsdaine Shore

The seal was photographed with a telephoto lens from the hillside above the shore. Most of the grey seal pups were wiped out last year by Storm Arwen, but they were back to normal numbers this year.

Walter Baxter

Dowlaw Dean

The Dowlaw Burn runs through this ravine into the North Sea.

Walter Baxter

A roe deer in Dowlaw Dean

As I carefully descended into the steep-sided ravine I disturbed two roe deer grazing by the Dowlaw Burn. This is a male deer looking defiantly up towards me.

Walter Baxter

Dowlaw Dean

The Dowlaw Burn runs through this ravine into the North Sea. There has been a lot of rock fall from the southeast side of the ravine and the two sheep carcases in the foreground are proof of the treacherous nature of the unstable sides of the ravine.

Walter Baxter

Roe deer in Dowlaw Dean

As I carefully descended into the steep-sided ravine I disturbed a couple of roe deer grazing by the Dowlaw Burn. They watched me for a while and then climbed up the southeast side of the ravine. A female is on the left with a male on the right.

Walter Baxter

Dowlaw Dean

The Dowlaw Burn runs through this rocky ravine into the North Sea. There has been a lot of rock fall on the southeast side of the ravine.

Walter Baxter

Dowlaw Dean

The Dowlaw Burn runs through this ravine into the North Sea.

Walter Baxter

The Berwickshire coast

This is a view from the headland on the northwest side of Dowlaw Dean towards Brander in the middle ground and St Abb’s Head in the background.

Walter Baxter

Rural Berwickshire : Beside The Dowlaw Burn

Hawthorn tree, rusty old thresher, footpath signpost, stone footbridge - that's nearly a full house of geographical landmarks.

Richard West

The Brander

An impressive sharp ridge running 100m into the sea.

Chris Eilbeck

Brander, near Fast Castle

Berwickshire coast at Brander, 1.3 km. east of Fast Castle. Anticline in Silurian rocks.

Lisa Jarvis

Dowlaw Burn

The right of way enters this nice dell just down the hill from Dowlaw Farm. 25 years ago this burn was a fine place for a spot of trout fishing.

Calum McRoberts

The coastline at Brander

A wave cut platform below Brander Heugh viewed from Step Heugh in the adjoining square to the east.

Walter Baxter

A Second World War marker shelter at Brander Heugh

This concrete relic is now used by sheep as a shelter. I have to thank Peter E Hamlin for the following information update on this building:- This is a Marker Shelter located on a former Air to Ground gunnery range. The building would have been revetted and protected by earth/sand banking up to the eaves except for the front face. The roof would have had a double layer of filled sand bags. The building was used as a shelter by the range crew during firing. A row of screen targets were erected in a line facing the front of the building. The range crew sheltered inside during firing and could 'mark' (score) the targets inside and carry out repairs. The doorway in the front elevation was some 10 feet high which enabled the 10 feet square targets to be brought inside. On either side of the shelter would have been visual signals operated by lanyards running through tubes into the building. This type of range control was superseded when Radio Telephony (RT) came into general use. Aircraft would attack in line with the rear of building so that stray shots went out to sea.

Walter Baxter

A sheltering sheep at Brander Heugh

This sheep is using this Second World War observation post as a shelter. For a view of the building towards the coastline, see NT8770 : A Second World War marker shelter at Brander Heugh.

Walter Baxter

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Oatlee Hill is located at Grid Ref: NT8869 (Lat: 55.918355, Lng: -2.187812)

Unitary Authority: The Scottish Borders

Police Authority: The Lothians and Scottish Borders