Corbett · Borders
Broad Law
Broad Law is the high point of the Manor Hills above Tweedsmuir — a rolling green dome that is the second highest hill in the Southern Uplands and the highest in the Borders council area. It sits in the empty country south of Peebles between St Mary's Loch and the upper Tweed, and the summit carries a Civil Aviation Authority VOR/DME navigation beacon, a white drum visible for miles. The view stretches from the Pentlands and Lothian coast north to the Cheviots south and across to the Galloway hills.
Quick facts
- Height
- 840.1m/ 2756ft
- Distance
- 15 km
- Ascent
- 739 m
- Time
- 5–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NT146235
- Parking
- NT151232
- Nearest
- Edinburgh· Dumfries 50km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
reservoir road 20% · moorland path 50% · grassy summit 20% · summit area 10%
The shortest and most popular line starts from the Megget Stone, a small lay-by on the high road from Tweedsmuir to St Mary's Loch. From here the broad grassy ridge runs north over Fans Law to the summit in around 3km — barely more than an hour up. Longer rounds extend over Cramalt Craig and the chain of subsidiary tops to make a 15km circuit with 739m of cumulative ascent. The going throughout is on cropped grass and short heather; navigation is on fence lines.
Terrain
Almost all the going is on close-cropped sheep grass — fast and easy underfoot, with springy peat in patches between the tops. Fence posts and the deer fence north of the summit are useful handrails in mist. The summit itself is broad, completely featureless apart from the trig point and the VOR drum; without GPS or a careful bearing it is easy to walk off in the wrong direction.
In winter
A surprisingly serious hill under snow — the very gentle gradients become a navigation trap in whiteout when the horizon and ground merge. Broad Law catches the brunt of easterly winters and snow drifts can lie over fences for weeks. The Megget Stone road is single-track and exposed; it closes during snowfall and refreezes hard overnight. Carry compass, map and snow gear even when the weather looks benign.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 39m
- Edinburgh1h 14m
OS maps: OS Landranger 72
Mobile signal: Good signal on this accessible Southern Uplands hill — 3 bars on the summit
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:40
- Sunset
- 21:42
- Civil dawn
- 03:45
- Civil dusk
- 22:37
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Broad Law.
Around Broad Law on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Broad Law — common questions
- How hard is Broad Law?
- Broad Law is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 15km with 739m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-7 hours. Terrain: Almost all the going is on close-cropped sheep grass — fast and easy underfoot, with springy peat in patches between the tops.
- Where do I park for Broad Law?
- Standard parking is at NT151232 near Edinburgh. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Broad Law?
- The standard good-weather months for Broad Law are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Broad Law?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Broad Law?
- Good signal on this accessible Southern Uplands hill — 3 bars on the summit
- Is Broad Law safe in winter?
- A surprisingly serious hill under snow — the very gentle gradients become a navigation trap in whiteout when the horizon and ground merge. Broad Law catches the brunt of easterly winters and snow drifts can lie over fences for weeks. The Megget Stone road is single-track and exposed; it closes during snowfall and refreezes hard overnight. Carry compass, map and snow gear even when the weather looks benign.