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
- Grid ref
- NT 29272 13082
- Parking
- NT 31000 14500
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 48km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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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
- 04:30
- Sunset
- 21:56
- Civil dawn
- 03:30
- Civil dusk
- 22:56
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 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?
- Law Kneis is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Sheep pasture and short upland grass, with a few wet flushes on the approach.
- Where do I park for Law Kneis?
- Standard parking is at NT 31000 14500. 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 Law Kneis?
- The standard good-weather months for Law Kneis are most of the year. 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 Law Kneis?
- 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 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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