How difficult is Black Law?

Black Law carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 13km, 572m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Terrain: Mostly heather above the bracken band — calf-deep in places where managed burning is overdue.

How prominent is Black Law?

Black Law has 103m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.

Where should I park to climb Black Law?

Standard parking is at NT232299. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When should I climb Black Law?

The standard good-weather months for Black Law are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. 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 Black Law?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Colin Park / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Borders

Black Law

Black Law sits east of Talla Reservoir on the inner watershed, a small handful of stones beside the boundary fence marking the top. The name is common in the Borders for any dark heathery rise — and this one fits the bill.

Quick facts

Height: 698m/ 2290ft
Prominence: 103 m
Distance: ~13 km
Ascent: ~572 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT222279
Parking: NT232299
Nearest city: Edinburgh· 46km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

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Standard route

grass moorland 80% · heather patches 15% · summit area 5%

13km · 572m ascent · 3.6 hrs

Most often picked up as part of the Manor–Tweedsmuir round; the shortest standalone ascent is from the road end at Stanhope, climbing through bracken and onto the grassy crest of Long Grain Knowe.

Terrain

Mostly heather above the bracken band — calf-deep in places where managed burning is overdue. The ridge fence guides the walker along the crest.

In winter

Heather under snow is exhausting to push through. After a freeze the going firms up quickly. Watch for hidden boulders below the cairn — they tend to grab crampon points in shallow cover.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Black Law. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS Southern Uplands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 44m
Edinburgh1h 6m

Parking: NT232299

OS maps: OS Landranger 73

Mobile signal: Reliable up top; EE holds throughout. Smooth Southern Uplands grass hill.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 50mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:41
Sunset: 18:17
Civil dawn: 07:04
Civil dusk: 18:54

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Black Law on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Tweedbank station

Borders Railway terminus; Eildon Hills, Melrose, Tweed Valley

34km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Black Law — common questions

How difficult is Black Law?: Black Law carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 13km, 572m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Terrain: Mostly heather above the bracken band — calf-deep in places where managed burning is overdue.
How prominent is Black Law?: Black Law has 103m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
Where should I park to climb Black Law?: Standard parking is at NT232299. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When should I climb Black Law?: The standard good-weather months for Black Law are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. 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 Black Law?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Black Law?: Reliable up top; EE holds throughout. Smooth Southern Uplands grass hill.
Is Black Law safe in winter?: Heather under snow is exhausting to push through. After a freeze the going firms up quickly. Watch for hidden boulders below the cairn — they tend to grab crampon points in shallow cover.

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