📌 East Linton, East Lothian
★★★
Traprain Law is a volcanic laccolith that rises abruptly out of East Lothian countryside above Hailes Castle and the River Tyne. Rising magma once pushed the rocks above into their characteristic dome shape, particularly prominent from the eastern side. The Votadini tribe created a hillfort capital here in the first century AD, building on ground previously occupied by Bronze Age dwellers. Most hill fort summits have great views: here, Berwick Law is a highlight of the northern panorama with the Lammermuir Hills laid out to the south.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on minor road 2 mi south of East Linton
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 582750
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.965840,-2.671704
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Layby
📝 Key info
▶ 2 km / 1 mi | ▲ 100 m | ⌛ 45 min
Features: △ Traprain Law (221 m)
⬤⬤ Moderate to Tough | Steep, grassy ascent on clear path; steeper descent with rocky steps to negotiate (care required, plus grippy footwear if ground is wet) then woodland path & road return. Omitting descent route by returning along outward route would reduce difficulty to ⬤ Moderate
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start – Traprain Law via main path – descend east ridge keeping right of fence (on opposite side to quarry) – tracks to road – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: A pair of buzzards with two offspring, dozens of jackdaws above the quarry, hairy caterpillars.
Weather: Quite sunny but a little hazy, temperature in high teens with a light to moderate breeze.
October 2024
