Broughton Heights

Hill, Mountain in Peeblesshire

Scotland

Broughton Heights

View from Brown Dod A quirk of the classification of Britain&#039;s lesser hills - fun for those who, like me, like these kind of things, but bewildering for most - is that there is a category of hills referred to as Dodds, which actually get their name due to a fairly boring acronym, and refers to British hills with a height of 500-599 metres with a 30 metre drop, and has absolutely nothing to to do with the words &#039;Dod&#039; or &#039;Dodd&#039; which occasionally appear in hill names.
Since my name is Ian Dodds I should probably step up my research into these things. It is generally accepted that&#039;Dodd&#039; and &#039;Dod&#039; refer to smallish round hills. Thankfully the internet has become slightly more forgiving about my surname etymology over the last few years. It used to be commonplace to find my family name described online as having derived from the hill name to mean &#039;small round man&#039;, or simply a &#039;stupid fellow&#039;!
All family tree records on the male side lead to and stay in and around Durham, which is reported as being historically the place where most variations of the Dodds surname came from. I have not done much walking round there, so am not sure how many Dodd/Dod hill-names there are in the Durham area; I just know them from Southern Scotland and the Lake District. Irrespective of this, I think it is fair to say that my surname is based on ancestors having lived close to hilly areas, and has nothing whatsoever with us being dim-witted people! — View from Brown Dod Credit: Ian Dodds

Broughton Heights is a prominent hill located in Peeblesshire, a historic county in the Scottish Borders region of Scotland. Rising to a height of approximately 645 meters (2,116 feet), it forms part of the Southern Uplands range and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Situated near the village of Broughton, the hill is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Its distinctive shape, with a gently sloping eastern side and a steep western face, makes it an ideal location for hiking, trekking, and hillwalking. The well-defined paths and trails that crisscross the hill allow visitors to explore its diverse terrain, which comprises heather-covered slopes, open moorland, and rocky outcrops.

The summit of Broughton Heights offers spectacular vistas in all directions. On clear days, one can see as far as the Pentland Hills to the north, the Moffat Hills to the southwest, and the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders. The hill also provides an excellent vantage point for observing local wildlife, including birds of prey such as buzzards and kestrels.

Broughton Heights holds historical significance as well. Ruins of an Iron Age hillfort can be found on its slopes, serving as a reminder of the area's rich past. The hill is often visited by archaeology enthusiasts and history buffs, who enjoy exploring the remains and imagining what life was like in ancient times.

In conclusion, Broughton Heights is a picturesque hill in Peeblesshire, Scotland, offering stunning views, diverse landscapes, and a glimpse into its historical past. It is a must-visit destination for those seeking outdoor adventure, natural beauty, and a sense of heritage.

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Broughton Heights Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.655452/-3.3954504 or Grid Reference NT1241. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

View from Brown Dod

A quirk of the classification of Britain's lesser hills - fun for those who, like me, like these kind of things, but bewildering for most - is that there is a category of hills referred to as Dodds, which actually get their name due to a fairly boring acronym, and refers to British hills with a height of 500-599 metres with a 30 metre drop, and has absolutely nothing to to do with the words 'Dod' or 'Dodd' which occasionally appear in hill names. Since my name is Ian Dodds I should probably step up my research into these things. It is generally accepted that'Dodd' and 'Dod' refer to smallish round hills. Thankfully the internet has become slightly more forgiving about my surname etymology over the last few years. It used to be commonplace to find my family name described online as having derived from the hill name to mean 'small round man', or simply a 'stupid fellow'! All family tree records on the male side lead to and stay in and around Durham, which is reported as being historically the place where most variations of the Dodds surname came from. I have not done much walking round there, so am not sure how many Dodd/Dod hill-names there are in the Durham area; I just know them from Southern Scotland and the Lake District. Irrespective of this, I think it is fair to say that my surname is based on ancestors having lived close to hilly areas, and has nothing whatsoever with us being dim-witted people!

Ian Dodds

Woodland, Stirkfield Hope

Looking towards Stirkfield Hope from Stirkfield Rig.

Richard Webb

Back Burn

Small burn round the back of Stirkfield Rig.

Richard Webb

Fence, Broughton Heights

A fence on the lower slopes of Pyked Stane Hill.

Richard Webb

The Back Burn

Grassy glen in the Broughton Heights range.

Richard Webb

The Back Burn

Looking over the Back Burn towards someone else's problem - a nasty looking shower. Its mate got me later. The view is towards a T-shaped wood on the slopes of Pyked Stane Hill.

Richard Webb

Pyked Stane Hill

West side of Pyked Stane Hill, the high point of the Broughton Heights.

Richard Webb

Broughton Heights

The west side of Pyked Stane Hill

Richard Webb

Rough grazing by the Back Burn

A sheep walk in the Broughton Heights.

Richard Webb

Back Burn

Looking down the glen.

Richard Webb

South ridge of Green Law

A fence runs along the ridge, once it was electric, but now is a plain one.

Richard Webb

Summit, Pyked Stane Hill

A somewhat battered triangulation pillar at the highest point of the Broughton Heights. There is a suggestion that a lot of triangulation pillars in the Lanark area were built with inferior concrete and many of them are badly damaged or worse. Perhaps they used similar materials to the roads?

Richard Webb