Green Lowther is a hill in the Lowther Hills, a sub‑range of the Southern Uplands in Scotland. It is the highest point in the historic county of Lanarkshire (now part of South Lanarkshire) and one of the more prominent summits in the region.
Location
- Country: Scotland, United Kingdom
- Region: Southern Uplands, Lowther Hills
- Grid Reference: NS 84413 08484 (Ordnance Survey)
- Coordinates: approximately 55°27′N 3°44′W
The hill lies to the north‑east of the village of Wanlockhead and is bounded by the River Clyde basin to the north and the River Nith basin to the south.
Physical characteristics
- Elevation: 732 m (2,402 ft) above sea level (approximate).
- Prominence: 484 m, making it a Marilyn (a British hill with a prominence of at least 150 m).
- Topography: The summit is a broad, gently rounded plateau of grassland and heath, dotted with tors of Silurian greywacke and shale typical of the Southern Uplands. A cairn marks the highest point.
Classification
Green Lowther qualifies under several hill‑listing schemes used by British hillwalkers:
| Listing | Criteria | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Marilyn | Prominence ≥ 150 m | ✔ |
| Hewitt | Height ≥ 2,000 ft and prominence ≥ 30 m | ✔ |
| Sim (Simm) | Height ≥ 600 m and prominence ≥ 30 m | ✔ |
| Donalds (Southern Uplands) | Height ≥ 2,000 ft and location in the Southern Uplands | ✔ |
Transmission facilities
A substantial transmission mast is situated on the summit. Operated by Arqiva, the Green Lowther transmitting station provides UHF television, FM radio, and digital radio services to a wide area of Southern Scotland and north‑west England. The mast, erected in the 1960s, is among the highest broadcasting sites in the United Kingdom.
Access and recreation
- Road access: A single‑track, paved service road climbs from the A702 near the village of Dalswinton to the summit, primarily for maintenance of the transmission facilities. The road is open to the public, though sections may be closed in winter or during adverse weather.
- Footpaths: Several rights‑of‑way and informal paths connect the road and the surrounding upland terrain, making the hill a common destination for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. The route from the nearby village of Moffat is a popular circular walk.
- Hill‑bagging: The summit’s status as a Marilyn and Hewitt makes it a frequent target for peak‑listing enthusiasts.
Etymology
The name combines the adjective green, likely describing the hill’s vegetation, with Lowther, the name of the surrounding range and the adjacent River Lowther. Lowther is thought to derive from the Old English or Celtic element lǣw meaning “mild” or “calm,” though the precise linguistic origin remains uncertain.
Conservation
The hill lies within the Southern Uplands landscape and is subject to Scottish Natural Heritage designations aimed at preserving upland habitats. The surrounding moorland supports heather, tussock grass, and a range of bird species such as grouse and skylark.
References (selected)
- Ordnance Survey 1:25 000 Explorer map sheet 323 (Moffat & St. Marys).
- Database of British and Irish Hills (DoBIH) – summit data for Green Lowther.
- Arqiva, Green Lowther Transmitting Station – technical specifications.
- Scottish Natural Heritage – upland conservation area documentation.