What difficulty is Comb Law?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Comb Law comes in at 3/5 — moderately challenging. Expect roughly 11km and 500m of ascent on the usual route — 3-5 hours for most parties. Terrain: Smooth turf throughout the ridge — easy underfoot.

How prominent is Comb Law?

Comb Law has 59m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.

Where should I park to climb Comb Law?

Standard parking is at NS937066. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When should I climb Comb Law?

The standard good-weather months for Comb 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 Comb Law?

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

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Alan O'Dowd / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Southern Uplands

Comb Law

Comb Law is a high but quiet Lowther top east of Wedder Law, on the long watershed running north towards the Lowther Hill radar station. The summit is an unmarked rise in close-cropped grass beside the boundary fence.

Quick facts

Height: 645m/ 2116ft
Prominence: 59 m
Distance: ~11 km
Ascent: ~500 m
Time: 3–5 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NS943073
Parking: NS937066
Nearest city: Dumfries· 31km
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%

11km · 500m ascent · 3 hrs

From Daer reservoir or from the Mennock Pass road end, take the watershed fence south. Usually walked as part of a multi-hill Lowther day. About 11km return with 500m of climb.

Terrain

Smooth turf throughout the ridge — easy underfoot. The fence runs unbroken across the top.

In winter

Drifts gather against the boundary fence. The Mennock Pass road can close in heavy snow, isolating Wanlockhead — check status before driving.

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

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Comb 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 37m
Edinburgh2h 45m

Parking: NS937066

OS maps: OS Landranger 71, OS Landranger 78

Mobile signal: Decent up top; EE behaves well. Fine Tweeddale moorland viewpoint.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 51mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:42
Sunset: 18:19
Civil dawn: 07:05
Civil dusk: 18:56

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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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.

Comb Law — common questions

What difficulty is Comb Law?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Comb Law comes in at 3/5 — moderately challenging. Expect roughly 11km and 500m of ascent on the usual route — 3-5 hours for most parties. Terrain: Smooth turf throughout the ridge — easy underfoot.
How prominent is Comb Law?: Comb Law has 59m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
Where should I park to climb Comb Law?: Standard parking is at NS937066. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When should I climb Comb Law?: The standard good-weather months for Comb 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 Comb Law?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Comb Law?: Decent up top; EE behaves well. Fine Tweeddale moorland viewpoint.
Is Comb Law safe in winter?: Drifts gather against the boundary fence. The Mennock Pass road can close in heavy snow, isolating Wanlockhead — check status before driving.

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