Tinto Hill
Carlise Road, Thankerton, BiggarThe Tinto Experience
On Tintock tap, there is a mist,
And in that mist, there is a kist,
And in that kist, there is a cup,
And in that cup, there is a drap.
Tak' up that cup, and drink that drap, that's in yon kist, on Tintock tap!
An old Scots children’s rhyme – kist is the scots word for chest.
Standing a proud 2320 feet high (that’s 707 metres in new money), Tinto Hill is very much part of the Lanark landscape and being visible from every approach to the town, a comforting sight on a homeward journey.
Some facts, legends and downright lies?
At 2320 feet Tinto Hill is the highest hill in Lanarkshire. Just a few miles south, Culter Fell at 2455 feet is higher but lies on the border between Lanarkshire and the Scottish Borders so technically is not entirely in Lanarkshire.
The precise age of Tinto remains a mystery because there is not enough fossil evidence to date it but there is strong evidence that the hills were formed over 400 million years ago.
Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Scottish Natural Heritage due to the special nature of its vegetation and geology, Tinto Hill was formed by magma swelling up under the earth's crust but not breaking through, It also displays the best example of active stone stripes in Scotland.
Tinto’s distinctive cone topped crown is a 6 metre high by 45 metre diameter cairn, which is a registered Ancient Monument and one of the largest cairns in Scotland and it can be seen and recognized miles around from every direction.
There is some speculation that the original cairn of stones on the top of Tinto is of Druid origins and local researchers have demonstrated that during the summer solstice there is alignment between the cairn on Tinto and a smaller cairn on Walston Hill a few miles to the north of Biggar.
Tinto is the venue for one of the most popular hill running races in Scotland. The "Run & Become" Hill Race is held annually in November and is organized by the Carnethy Hill Running Club (see our links sections for website details)
As well as a popular exercise spot for locals (some might say a popular hangover hike), it is also where locals come to mark the New Year, roll their Easter eggs and with the last two winter's heavy snows, local families have been polishing up their sledge runners.
The fastest time to complete the 4.4 miles up and down is 29 minutes and 58 seconds set by Mr J Brooks in 1995. The slowest time ever recorded was one Mrs Agnes Sprout one fine day in July 1975 – when you see Agnes on your way up can you lend her your mobile and ask her to call home…
If you’re up for the challenge and want a go at the record, or you just fancy a leisurely stroll why not check out our ‘Tinto Experience’ in our Walk and Trails section.
Send your Tinto stories and photographs to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)