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Name: | Croft Head |
Hill number: | 1894 |
Height: | 636.2m / 2087ft |
RHB Section: | 28B: The River Tweed to the English Border |
Donald area: | Ettrick Hills |
County/UA: | Dumfries and Galloway |
Catchment: | Annan |
Class: | Marilyn, Hump, Simm, Graham, Donald, Yeaman (Ma,Hu,Tu,Sim,G,D,DN,Y) |
Grid ref: | NT 15309 05647 |
Summit feature: | no feature: ground 2m NW of fence junction |
Drop: | 194m |
Col: | 442.2m NT 1596 0582 |
OS map sheet(s): | (1:50k) 79 (1:25k) 330 |
Survey: | Leica RX1250 |
Change log: | show changes for this hill entry |
GPS data: | show GPS entries for this hill |
N.B. Some hill summits are on private property or on land where there is no public right of way. Permission should be sought from the landowner where access to a hill summit is through private land(*).
*For information about access rights in Scotland see the ScotWays website.
Please report via the contact page any logs you see below which describe or encourage acts of trespass. Please quote the hill number and hill name.
Logged Descriptions (logged by 407 users, only the latest 50 shown - Show all) | By | Date of Ascent |
Croft Head, Loch Fell, Wind Fell, Hopetoun Craig, Ettrick Pen, Bodesbeck Law, White Shank, Smidhope Hill and Capel Fell from Selcoth | hummusg | 19/02/2024 |
Quite a long out and back walk to here and Capel Fell from Moffat hostel. Dense cloud and intermittent heavy drizzle but pleasantly mild for the time of year though. | Alex C | 15/02/2024 |
From West Knowe on route to Capel Fell. 6th in clockwise circuit of the Ettrick Hills. Steep grassy descent NNW to the Southern Upland Way track. Did a bag drop at the wooden bench at the start of the climb up Croft Head which made for quick easy progress up an excellent path to the summit gate!! 
Quick decent back down track for a wee rest on the bench and ruck sac back on for the ascent back up to Capel Fell. | Jossker | 16/10/2023 |
From Selcoth Fishery (parking with permission) up a steep landrover track beside the Steinstane Burn to Croft Head summit. Then joined SUW path for zig zag descent down Cat Shoulder. Ascent of Capel Fell on ATV track following fence on south east shoulder. Descent on tussocky grass following fence down south west shoulder. Easy crossing of the burn at bottom of Bill Cleuch to join landrover track for walk back to Selcoth. | Fife Walking | 01/10/2023 |
Selcoth (parked with permission by water tank before road turns right to fishery) - Croft Head, West Knowe, Loch Fell, Lamblair Knowe, Wind Fell, Capel Fell, Sailfoot Law & Broken Back. | sclater | 11/08/2023 |
1 & 4 of 4: Out: parked where the SUW leaves the road at Bellshaw Pool. Return: from Ettrick Pen after dropping down to Over Phawhope. The lower SUW was closed. With Karen. | ChrisR | 24/05/2023 |
Sailfoot - Capel Fell - White Shank - Potburn - Ettrick Pen - Loch Fell - Croft Head - Sailfoot | davidpettit84 | 07/04/2023 |
Circuit of Marilyns and tops from Sailforth. 
1 of 6 | thekirkie pirate | 13/11/2022 |
Round of 4 from Fishery to N. 4/4. Steep up from S, should have gone up track to E. | davechaffey | 29/10/2022 |
I had a late afternoon / evening walk from Sailfoot taking in Croft Fell and Capel Fell. Very enjoyable walking and views. | meltdiceburg | 21/08/2022 |
Parked at end of public road near Potburn 
for the Ettrick Horseshoe. Counter clockwise taking in White Shank, Smidhope Hill and Capel Fell. I wasn't looking forward to the outlier of Croft Head, but the ascent up West Knowe, was worse, as there is decent zig zag path up Cat Shoulder. From it was easy over Loch Fell, Wind Fell then Hopetoun Craig and one final pull up Ettrick Pen. Which had the first proper summit feature of the whole day, a large cairn. 
Dropped down to the NW to pick up the forestry track, then past Over Phawhope bothy and back to the car 8hrs after setting off. | chillyman8 | 31/07/2022 |
Started from the turning circle at the end of the minor road leading to the head of the Ettrick valley and followed the SMC route taking in the summits of Ettrick Pen, Hopetoun Craig, Wind fell, Loch fell, West Knowe, Croft head, Capel fell, Smidhope hill and White shank. A tough and long walk taking seven and half hours for the Twelve and half mile with 4000ft of ascent. Route finding was generally easy following fencing but a brutal descent of West Knowe is needed to reach the valley floor. | WAYNE ROWLETT | 01/05/2022 |
now on the high route of SUW. Very windy day, used lee side of fence. | oatcake | 24/04/2022 |
With L & R | Janet M | 03/04/2022 |
Set off from Selcoth following tracks initially then straight up to Capel Fell. Then followed tracks to Wind Fell, Loch Fell, West Knowe and Croft Head before heading back to Selcoth. | jigglybones | 16/10/2021 |
Went from Selcoth Farm in Moffatdale. Followed track marked on OS 78, intermittent. Met a Shooting Party and was invited to change my route, which probably made the walk easier overall. Climbed up to the ridge and found a track for the descent via the next valley [Steinstane Burn] which joined/turned into the curving track marked on the map and I think this would be the easiest route of ascent. | IanHHill | 06/09/2021 |
Very steep ascent from path beneath Capel Fell. | johninthehills | 04/09/2021 |
Warm and sunny day for the walk up from Selcoth to nab a couple of geocaches. | Walker Dan | 27/08/2021 |
After Capel Fell through spectacular scenery along SUW, then returned to Potburn. | Lionel Bidwell | 26/08/2021 |
From Selcoth along the track by the Steinstane Burn to Croft Head, then down the excellent high level SUW zigzags over Cat Shoulder. A superb view of waterfalls on the Selcoth Burn and heather in flower as compensation for the subsequent merciless ascent of West Knowe, which now sports a tiny cairn made from small pices of broken fence post. Easy walking to Loch Fell and Wind Fell, revisiting the old fence post summit out of nostalgia and the new summit 50 yards across the bog out of penance for walking past it unawares in 2019. Over the shoulder of Capel Fell and a tricky descending traverse by the fence above Bill Cleugh to Broken Back, descending the ridge to meet the Selcoth Burn track to Selcoth. | Nick Down1 | 22/08/2021 |
From turning circle at road before Potburn, walking on track past Potburn to Over Phawhope, then along tracks to E, becoming intermittent path, to summit of Ettrick Pen, continuing over summits Hopetoun Craig, Wind Fell, Loch Fell, West Knowe, then steep pathless descent to sheepfold on col to NW, climb up good zig-zag path to Croft Head, return to sheepfold, NE along Southern Upland Way to the col at Ettrick Head, then NW along fence line to Capel Fell, continuing by fence and wall to Smidhope Hill and White Shank, descending through rough grassland around edge of forestry to Potburn and back to turning circle | kdbennett | 15/07/2021 |
from Selcoth, then on to Scaw'd Fell and Capel Fell | jef | 18/05/2021 |
From end of public road at Potburn (NT 1893 0928). Took the track running N of Potburn toward Fauldside Hill, bypassing it for White Shank, then Smidhope Hill -> Capel Fell -> Sailfoot Law -> Broken Back. From there headed S steeply down across Selcoth Burn and very steeply up alongside Nether Coomb Sike. On to West Knowe -> Loch Fell. | jonglew | 09/04/2021 |
10 mile day. Parked 10702 04264 by Bellshaw Pool, on SUW route, and followed high SUW alternate route to summit. Descended Selcoth Burn path to valley, and walked back to car on farm tracks to south of Moffat Water - avoiding walking on the road. | Toby-and-Dion | 27/03/2021 |
Parked at the fish farm and made the mistake of taking the path up the valley bottom which gave me a strenuous ascent straight up. Returned down the shoulder and realised my error. | clivevilla | 14/10/2020 |
yorkielad | 19/09/2020 | |
Solo. From end of public road at NT189093 where there is parking. Followed the Southern Upland Way to Croft Head. The zig zag path up Cat Shoulder, especially constructed for the SUW, makes for an easy ascent. Continued to Capel Fell, Smidhope Hill and White Shank. Nice weather and good views. | pwbellarby | 31/08/2020 |
Parked at road end and set off at 06:15 by moonlight with a temperature of-4C. Ettrick Pen (beautiful sunrise), Hopetoun Craig, Wind Fell, West Knowe, Loch Fell, Scaw'd Fell, Gateshaw Rig, Croft Head (met a badger), Capel Fell, Smidhope Hill, White Shank. Returned at 14:45. | PGCE | 19/11/2019 |
From bridge up SUW high route and down SUW alternative route - both excellent going. | SS | 08/09/2019 |
Deserted on sunny bank holiday Monday. Up from Selcoth, to pick upWest Knowe and Loch Fell. Back over Croft Head. With B and R. | jenx | 26/08/2019 |
Capel and Croft from Sailfoot. SUW over summit then descended NW ridge to Selcoth. | Topographer57 | 24/05/2019 |
With Ikuko a long day over three Marilyns! | GWR Chris | 21/05/2019 |
Capel Fell then Croft Head, from Sailfoot, up via zigzag forest roads then on to hillside. Between two hills by heading to small bridge near Ettrick Head then following SUW to good path up Croft Head. | willyross | 14/05/2019 |
From West Knowe. Spent some time admiring the view from West Knowe and the grand Capel Fell. The pass is a great spot. Had a chat with another walker coming down Cat Shoulder (double Munroist, Grahamist and Corbetteer 'doing' the Donalds. On to Capel Fell. | Wycombe Wanderer | 20/04/2019 |
From Selcoth, with three other Marilyns (+ 2 non-Marilyn Donalds). Breezy, some sunshine, cold. Time excludes breaks. | Rounsfell | 23/03/2019 |
Run from Moffat C&C site. Tat weather so called it a day after Croft Head. Had intended on doing Loch fell & a couple of others. | Mountain Goat | 26/01/2019 |
CK | SheilaS | 30/12/2018 |
Second time on this hill this year | Colin Crawford | 28/12/2018 |
Parked N of bridge by Bellshaw Pool. Along SUW then hard right up to Comb Cairn and onto Scaw'd Fell. Back down to SUW alternate route along to, and up, E ridge of Croft Head. Had a wander over all contenders for summit. Back on SUW over Gateshaw Rig. 12 miles. With PM. | CJM | 13/11/2018 |
From Scaw'd Fell with CM. A very pleasant walk from 158044 to the eats side of the hill and then an easy path to the summit. Descended over Gateshaw Rig and the alternative SUW path back to 106044. 12 miles and just over 6 hours. | bolton | 13/11/2018 |
From fish farm, via signposted path just before Selcoth. Then over Selcoth Burn which I did at top of small plantation. Up grassy slope opposite and onto ridge. Down NE ridge to SU path | trimarc2 | 25/09/2018 |
From bridge at 106044 up SUW high level route; as part of round of three Grahams. Keen wind, gusty at times. | MichaelF | 25/09/2018 |
Parked in layby on N. side of bridge at 106043 & up Scaw’d Fell. From Scaw’d Fell, back down to track junction & then along SUW to foot of E. ridge - Good path up ridge to unmarked summit. Descended over Gateshaw Rig, following waymarked SUW Alternative Route. This rejoins the main route by the cattle grid at 121043. (S) | gerrybowes | 07/08/2018 |
Capel Fell and Croft Head with David Alexander on very hot sunny day. From fish farm (11:35), followed track on N side of valley then steeply up S ridge and fence to Capel Fell summit. Down to bridge on S Upland way past deep defile and then new 'alternative route' track up very steep ridge to Cfort Head. Descended NW ridge all the way to the Settlement. Finish 17:50. Leisurely day with long stops. Good views all round. | dbb | 25/06/2018 |
From end of public road Ettrick valley. Followed Southern Uplands Way to Over Phawhope then track up Ettrick Pen over Wind Fell a Donald. Not easy to work out which bump is which hill. Down to Ettrick Head along fairly boggy SUW to excellent zig zag path up Croft Head. Back almost to Ettrick Head & followed fence to Capel Fell summit. 7 hours 35 in snow. | rogreeves | 06/04/2018 |
Continuation of route from West Knowe to CH by 15 zigzags and path leading to gated summit of Croft Head. (Note: SUW route over CH is closed for harvesting but the area is SW,or beyond summit, of CH) Returned by upward route and then NE along SUW, using new bridge over burn, to Ettrick Head. Entered forest and made lunch stop (14:30) as path exited forest onto SUW track back to Potburn. Rain and wind only abated when lower down as Over Phawhope bothy was passed. First visit was with J and MB on 25/07/2009. | jacobus | 14/10/2017 |
First of the day. Just over an hour from the fishy plaice. | Play2End | 06/10/2017 |
Good path up east ridge (Southern Uplands Way) and back down same way. Great hill. With Eire, Evan, Sail, Danu, Coel & Alfie. | Dangerous Dave | 29/07/2017 |
Descended the SW shoulder of Capel Fell at a fence. Crossed the Selcoth Burn north of the fence as the fence leads to a small gorge. Steep grass up to summit and heavy rain. Down Southern uplands path - great views - back to Etterick head. Decided not to do Etterick Pen because of the rain. | mindlessflogger | 30/05/2017 |
600th Marilyn. Deep joy. Third Marilyn on round of four. From Scaw'd Fell, descent was easy, joined the forestry track. Forestry on south east side of Gateshaw Rig has been cleared, and there is a good line up the left hand side of the remaining trees. Above the tree line is steep, thick heather, really horrible, to the ridge line. Then easy to Croft Head. | Owen B | 14/04/2017 |