Traprain Law, near Haddington

Traprain Law is a steep little hill and a familiar landmark in East Lothian. A short sharp climb to the summit reveals an extensive hill fort with panoramic views over the local area and beyond.

Terrain

A steep grass/earth path punctuated with rocky outcrops.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Dedicated carpark 6km east of Haddington. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Traprain Law is a whaleback lump of volcanic rock rising 221m above relatively flat surrounding countryside. This walk begins from the dedicated car park adjacent to a minor road east of Haddington and south of East Linton. From here the well-signposted path heads west along the north face of the Law before beginning to head uphill and simultaneously curve around to eventually head southeast.

Stage 2

As the path ascends you will pass through the remains of a turf rampart that once surrounded a significant settlement on the summit covering around 12 hectares. Continue along the obvious steep path through the ramparts to reach the summit - home to a trig point and a modern drystone wind shelter. Bases of stone wall and defensive earthworks are all that remain of one of the most important archaeological sites in Scotland, first occupied in the Bronze Age around 1500BC. In later years the settlement on Traprain Law was the capital of a tribe called the Votadini who controlled a large part of southeast Scotland before the Roman invasion in AD80. Rather than be destroyed by the advancing army, the Votadini appear to have co-existed with the Romans, assisting them during their periods of occupation of southern Scotland. There have been significant archaeological finds unearthed at the summit fort, most notably a 25kg haul of Roman silver discovered in 1919 and now in the custody of the Museum of Scotland.

Stage 3

In the sixth century King Loth - from where the name Lothian is derived - is said to have had his daughter lashed to a chariot and thrown over a rocky edge on the Law when she became pregnant by her cousin. She somehow survived but was put in a boat and left to drift in the Firth of Forth, eventually landing on the other side where she was rescued by St Serf. She went on to give birth to a son who became St Mungo, the founder of Glasgow, though other sources suggest that St Mungo was actually born on Traprain Law itself.

Stage 4

Once the summit plateau has been fully explored, and the extensive views over the whole county appreciated, follow the outward route back to the carpark. There is an alternative descent route via the abandoned quarry to the east, but unstable rock and a precarious path make this route potentially dangerous - not recommended.

Route: Phil Turner

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