Walk: Culter Fell - I like grouse butts and I cannot lie

South Lanarkshire | Culter Hills | Half day walk | ★★★

[Descent from Culter Fell]

Culter Fell is the highest of the Culter Hills: a sprawling mass of grassy summits stretching along the Scottish Borders / Lanarkshire boundary between Biggar and the M74. A well-positioned line of grouse butts (sunken hides for shooting game birds) perfect for perching on (for humans - not so ideal for grouse) makes the direct ascent from near Coulter less of a slog than it might otherwise be. And what about a different way down for variety's sake? There are a number of possible routes, but perhaps returning along Coulter Reservoir is the most scenic.

[Coulter Reservoir]

📌 Walk: Culter Fell - I like grouse butts and I cannot lie ★★★
Start / finish at layby on minor road at Culter Allers Farm, 2 mi south of Coulter, G.R.: NT 031312 ///hotel.outs.hesitate

▶ 12 km / 7 mi | ▲ 660 m | ⌚ Half a day | ⬤ Moderate
Summits: Culter Fell (748 m, Graham / Donald) | Features: Coulter Reservoir
Terrain: Fairly clear, grassy hill path for the sustained ascent with just a few wet patches. Fainter and boggier in places for descent to Holm Nick, good track around reservoir then quiet tarmac road along the glen.

Route & map

Layby - Fell Shin - Culter Fell - Moss Law - Holm Nick - north side of Coulter Reservoir - start


Route credit: Scotland Off the Beaten Track

On our visit

Wildlife: Pheasants, sheep / lambs, dippers, grey wagtails, butterflies in the glen. Mallard ducks on the reservoir.
Weather: Temperature in single figures at base, windy high up. Remnant snow patches above 600 m.

Chronological photo guide

[Sheep in fields at the start]

[Climbing Culter Fell]

[Good views over Knowe Dod from the ascent]

[Looking across to Woodycleuch Dod (left) & Ward Law (right) from one of the grouse butts on ascent]

[View northwest towards Tinto (distance) from the cairn at 680 metres]

[View northeast to Chapelgill Hill]

[Culter Fell summit]

[View south into the heart of the Southern Uplands]

[Fainter paths for the descent across Moss Law]

[Coulter Reservoir]

[Descent from Culter Fell]

[Descent to Coulter Reservoir]

[Breeks Burn]

[Coulter Reservoir]

[Coulter Reservoir]

[Coulter Reservoir]

[View along the glen and the final part of the route]

[Culter Water near the finish]

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