Loudoun Hill

Loudoun Hill
Loudoun Hill from the east side
Highest point
Elevation	316 m (1,037 ft)
Prominence	c. 66 m
Geography
Location	East Ayrshire, Scotland
OS grid	NS608379
Topo map	OS Landranger 71

Loudoun Hill, also commonly Loudounhill is a volcanic plug in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It is located near the head of the River Irvine, east of Darvel. One real and one fictional battle have been fought around Loudoun Hill.

The A71 Edinburgh - Kilmarnock road passes by the base of the hill. This route follows a Roman road which linked the Clyde Valley with the Ayrshire coast. Loudoun Hill's position at the highest point on this route gives it huge strategic significance. The hill stands above moorland, and commands 360 degree views. On clear days the coast, 40km away, and the Isle of Arran beyond, are visible.

Loudoun Hill has long been a site of human occupation. An iron age settlement is located at the foot of the south east slope. Nearby at Allanton Beg a Roman fort was built.

The Darvel and Strathaven Railway passed the hill, crossing a viaduct which was demolished as unsafe in 1986. Two piers of a bridge remain over a minor road.

According to Blind Harry's epic poem The Wallace, Sir William Wallace ambushed and defeated an English force at Loudoun Hill in 1296, during the Wars of Scottish Independence. This is now regarded as unhistorical.

Maps of the area name a mound to the east of Loudoun Hill as 'Wallace's Grave'. Traditionally this is the burial site of the English dead, rather than Wallace's own grave. On the slope opposite the mound is a monument to Wallace. Called the 'Spirit of Scotland', it shows an outline of Wallace in steel, five metres high. It was designed and created by local artist Richard Price, and dedicated in September 2004.

The historical Battle of Loudoun Hill took place in 1307. Robert the Bruce, following his time in hiding after the Battle of Methven, had begun his campaign to wrest his kingdom back from Edward I of England. He claimed his first major victory over the English at the Battle of Glen Trool in April 1307.