How hard is Drumelzier Law?

Drumelzier Law is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 548m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Sheep-bitten grass on the upper slopes, with bracken and pockets of gorse on the lower farmland.

Where do I park for Drumelzier Law?

Standard parking is at NT155307 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 Drumelzier Law?

The standard good-weather months for Drumelzier 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 Drumelzier Law?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How hard is Drumelzier Law?

Drumelzier Law is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 548m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Sheep-bitten grass on the upper slopes, with bracken and pockets of gorse on the lower farmland.

Where do I park for Drumelzier Law?

Standard parking is at NT155307 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 Drumelzier Law?

The standard good-weather months for Drumelzier 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 Drumelzier Law?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary Innes

Photo: wrobison / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Borders

Drumelzier Law

Drumelzier Law overlooks the Tweed valley below Broughton, the western end of the long Manor Hills ridge. A bare patch of trampled grass marks the unmarked top, with the wedge of Tinto rising across Tweeddale to the west.

Quick facts

Height: 668m/ 2192ft
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 548 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT149312
Parking: NT155307
Nearest city: Edinburgh
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

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

13km · 548m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Quickest from Drumelzier village, climbing the south-west shoulder onto the ridge. About 8km return with 530m of climb. A boundary wall runs almost continuously up the spur and gives a useful line if cloud drops onto the Manor Hills.

Terrain

Sheep-bitten grass on the upper slopes, with bracken and pockets of gorse on the lower farmland. A dry-stone wall serves as a useful boundary low down.

In winter

Snow gathers on the lee side of the watershed wall. The Tweed valley fog can sit at 400m for days, leaving the summit in sun above an inversion.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 33m
Edinburgh1h 3m

Parking: NT155307

OS maps: OS Landranger 72

Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Tweeddale and Biggar moorland viewpoint.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

18h 54mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:40
Sunset: 21:42
Civil dawn: 03:44
Civil dusk: 22:38

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

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Around Drumelzier 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

41km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Drumelzier Law — common questions

How hard is Drumelzier Law?: Drumelzier Law is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 548m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Sheep-bitten grass on the upper slopes, with bracken and pockets of gorse on the lower farmland.
Where do I park for Drumelzier Law?: Standard parking is at NT155307 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 Drumelzier Law?: The standard good-weather months for Drumelzier 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 Drumelzier 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 Drumelzier Law?: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Tweeddale and Biggar moorland viewpoint.
Is Drumelzier Law safe in winter?: Snow gathers on the lee side of the watershed wall. The Tweed valley fog can sit at 400m for days, leaving the summit in sun above an inversion.