Exploring the Hidden Summit Above Peebles – The Mystery of Newby Kipps

Setting Off from Peebles

From the town centre, the hill looks deceptively close — a modest peak tucked behind the rolling folds of the Borders landscape. But as I began my climb, weaving through forestry tracks and rough upland pasture, I quickly realised that appearances deceive.

The route leads past Peebles Hydro and into the surrounding hills, which reach heights of nearly 700 metres — lofty by local standards. The Pentlands frame the northern skyline, with the Tweed Valley unfurling in ribbons of green below. It’s a landscape both wild and intimate: shaped by centuries of farming, forestry, and forgotten settlement.

The Farmer’s World

Walking in these hills brings a peculiar mix of solitude and scrutiny. The Borders are famous for their open access, yet almost every track passes through working farmland. And so it was that midway through my ascent, a farmer appeared — not on foot, but on a quad bike, eyeing me with polite suspicion.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“To the top,” I replied.

It’s a familiar dance for anyone exploring these quieter corners of the Borders: balancing respect for the land and livestock with the simple joy of wandering. Signs along the route reminded me not to disturb sheep, so I diverted through the woodland — only to meet another farmer wondering why I hadn’t stayed on the path. Such is the way of the hills.

Newby Kipps – The Lower Knoll

The first hill on the skyline is a small conical mound, itself marked by the traces of an ancient settlement. Stone scatter and faint earthworks hint at prehistoric occupation — perhaps an outlier of the Cademuir Hill Fort complex nearby. Yet these, as I discovered, were not the stones I was looking for.

The true summit loomed ahead: the main peak of Newby Kipps, a rugged outcrop that dominates the view from Peebles. Its slopes are steep, tangled in heather and scree, with no obvious path — only instinct and determination to guide the way.

Into the Lost World

Climbing higher, the wind strengthened and the air thinned. There’s a strange, almost cinematic quality to this stretch — like stepping into another time. The forests fall away behind you; ahead lies a world of rock, sky, and weather.

At one point I caught myself thinking of The Lost World — the Arthur Conan Doyle vision of remote plateaus and hidden creatures. Here, though, the only company was the wind and the haunting silence that comes when you stop and listen.

Reaching the Summit

Finally, after a long scramble, I reached the top. The summit of Newby Kipps is as dramatic as it looks from below: a crag-crowned cone commanding views across the Borders. To the north, the Pentlands shimmered in the haze; to the south, the Tweed twisted through farmland towards Innerleithen.

The wind was ferocious, so I crouched behind the rocks, taking it all in — the wildness, the history, the quiet defiance of this overlooked hill.

The Descent

The way down proved no easier than the climb. With no marked paths, I followed the line of least resistance through woodland and over scree, eventually re-emerging on the Hydro estate road. Ahead, the familiar world of Peebles returned — roofs, roads, and the sound of the river.

Looking back at the hill, it seemed impossible that I’d just been up there. There is, truly, no easy way to Newby Kipps. But that’s part of its charm — it demands curiosity and effort in equal measure.

Reflections

The hills around Peebles are a treasure trove of natural beauty and ancient history — yet, strangely, they remain under-explored. You’ll find few crowds here, just the whisper of wind through heather and the call of buzzards above.

If you’re visiting Peebles, take a walk beyond the familiar paths. Explore Cademuir, Hamilton Hill, or — if you’re feeling bold — the wild slopes of Newby Kipps. Just remember to bring your map, your sense of adventure, and perhaps a polite smile for the local farmers.

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