Paragliding Newark Hill

Newark Hill is a paragliding site with an altitude of 418 meters, occasionally used for soaring. Site Status: Open Location Info: - Grid Reference: NT 400286 - OS Landranger: 73; Peebles, Galashiels, and Selkirk - Latitude: 55.54800 - Longitude: -2.95180 Wind: - Direction: W, NW; 260 - 285 degrees - Best Direction: W Height: - ASL: 1440ft, 440m - Top to Bottom: 780ft, 200m Road Access: From the A708 Selkirk to Moffat road, approximately 4.5 miles west of Selkirk and just west of the village of Yarrowford. Take the single track road at the end of the long straight after heading west through Yarrowford and continue across the bailey bridge over the Yarrow Water towards Fastheugh Farm. Parking: - Grid Reference: NT 395292 Park in Black Andrew Wood off the road to Fastheugh Farm to the south of the A708 near Yarrowford. Do not block access as the road may be used by heavy timber lorries or forest machinery. Take-Off: - Grid Reference: NT 400286 Approach either via the forest tracks in Black Andrew Wood and through the gate onto open moorland below Newark Hill. Follow Duchess Drive for approximately 200 yards before turning west towards the face of the hill and find obvious take-off opportunities looking west up the Yarrow Valley. Alternatively, walk up past Fastheugh Farm and follow the obvious track through the field and gate onto open moorland. Turn east, cross the burn, and walk up the face of Newark Hill. Landing: - Grid Reference: NT 392288 The bottom landing field is at the base of the hill in front of Fastheugh Farm, but there are numerous options in the Yarrow or Ettrick Valleys. Please avoid any fields with livestock or crops, hay, or silage. Flying: Excellent in a westerly wind, although the nose above Black Andrew Wood can be flown in a NW wind. A good thermic and dynamic site. If the wind direction turns northerly during the day, it is possible to transition across to Fastheugh, but the bowl between Newark and Fastheugh may be turbulent if scratching close to the hill. Hazards: Check NOTAM, CANP essential if flying mid-week since this area is used for low flying exercises by military fast jets. Jets often fly over the top of Fastheugh at very low levels as they transition into the Yarrow Valley. The bottom landing field slopes downwards when landing into a northerly wind; beware of the burn running through the middle of the field. Notes: This is an actively managed grouse moor, please respect the nesting sites, do not allow dogs to run free, and be aware of the shooting season. Do not land in any fields with stock or grass being grown for hay or silage. Do not use during lambing season - late March to late May. Park sensibly and do not block any forest tracks. For more information, visit: [Wingbeat Paragliding - Newark Hill](http://www.wingbeat-paragliding.co.uk/index.php/sites/newark-hill)