Marilyn · Borders
Deuchar Law
A 543m hill in the Yarrow valley above Deuchar farm, between St Mary's Loch and the Yarrow Water. The position gives long views down the Yarrow toward Selkirk. A 543 m top in the Borders.
Quick facts
- Height
- 543m/ 1781ft
- Prominence
- 155 m
- Grid ref
- NT 28500 29699
- Parking
- NT 30000 28000
- Nearest city
- Edinburgh· 44km
- 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 65% · heather 25% · boggy ground 10%
A short walk of 2-3 hours from the B709 near Yarrowford or Yarrow Feus. Pathless grassy fells lead directly to the broad summit above the Yarrow Water, with St Mary's Loch glittering to the south-west.
Terrain
Pasture, sheep-grazed grass and bracken on the lower flanks. The summit ridge is dry and easy underfoot.
In winter
A reliable winter option thanks to its low height and accessible roadside start. Snow rarely lies thick on the south-facing slopes.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 59m
- Edinburgh1h 1m
OS maps: OS Landranger 73, OS Explorer 337
Mobile signal: Good. Borders; EE reliable on approach and summit.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:15
- Sunset
- 21:23
- Civil dawn
- 04:26
- Civil dusk
- 22:12
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Deuchar Law on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Deuchar Law — common questions
- Is Deuchar Law a hard climb?
- Deuchar Law is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Pasture, sheep-grazed grass and bracken on the lower flanks.
- What is Deuchar Law's prominence?
- 155m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Deuchar Law to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
- Where do I park for Deuchar Law?
- Most walkers start from NT 30000 28000. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Deuchar Law?
- most of the year give the most reliable conditions on Deuchar Law. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Deuchar Law dog-friendly?
- 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 Deuchar Law?
- Good. Borders; EE reliable on approach and summit.
- Is Deuchar Law safe in winter?
- A reliable winter option thanks to its low height and accessible roadside start. Snow rarely lies thick on the south-facing slopes.
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