Marilyn · Borders
Law Kneis
A 498m hill in the Ettrick valley between Tushielaw and Ettrick Bridge, surrounded by the rolling sheep country of the upper Ettrick Water. A quiet hill with few visitors. Borders summit at 498.5 m.
Quick facts
- Height
- 498.5m/ 1635ft
- Prominence
- 187 m
- Grid ref
- NT 29272 13082
- Parking
- NT 31000 14500
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 48km
- 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 pathless ascent of around 2 hours from the B709 in the Ettrick valley near Tushielaw. Steady grassy fells lead to the broad summit dome, with the long roll of the Ettrick Forest spread south and east.
Terrain
Sheep pasture and short upland grass, with a few wet flushes on the approach. Dry going on the summit.
In winter
Low-lying and rarely deeply snow-bound — frost firms the ground for fast walking. A useful short winter outing.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 9m
- Edinburgh1h 25m
OS maps: OS Landranger 79, OS Explorer 330
Mobile signal: Good. Scottish Borders; EE coverage solid throughout. Download maps as backup.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:15
- Sunset
- 21:23
- Civil dawn
- 04:27
- Civil dusk
- 22:11
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Law Kneis on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Law Kneis — common questions
- How hard is Law Kneis?
- We grade Law Kneis at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Ground conditions: Sheep pasture and short upland grass, with a few wet flushes on the approach.
- How much drop does Law Kneis have?
- The drop is 187m: measured from the summit of Law Kneis down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
- Where's the parking for Law Kneis?
- Park at NT 31000 14500. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
- What's the best month to climb Law Kneis?
- Aim for most of the year on Law Kneis. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Law Kneis?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Law Kneis?
- Good. Scottish Borders; EE coverage solid throughout. Download maps as backup.
- Is Law Kneis safe in winter?
- Low-lying and rarely deeply snow-bound — frost firms the ground for fast walking. A useful short winter outing.
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