What is Scald Law's prominence?

314m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Scald 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.

When is the best time to climb Scald Law?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Scald 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 Scald Law dog-friendly?

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

By Gary

Photo: Daniel Stuart / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

Submit a photo

Marilyn · Borders

Scald Law

At 579m, Scald Law is the highest summit in the Pentland Hills — the NT-prefix range that forms Edinburgh's southern skyline. Despite its low altitude, the steep flanks above Loganlea and the Howe give it a properly mountain-shaped feel.

Quick facts

Height: 579m/ 1900ft
Prominence: 314 m
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NT 19169 61080
Nearest city: Edinburgh· 15km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

No GPX track yet

Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.

Submit your GPX

Standard route

grass moorland 60% · heather 25% · rocky summit 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A direct ascent from the Nine Mile Burn or via the Howe car park onto the main Pentlands ridge, then over Carnethy and East/West Kip if doing the classic five-hill round. Allow 4-5 hours for the full traverse.

Terrain

Well-trodden Pentlands paths over short cropped grass, with steep grassy steps between summits on the ridge and stony patches near the cairn.

In winter

Snow can sit on Scald Law for weeks in a cold spell, and the steep north-facing slopes hold firm neve — micro-spikes useful, occasionally an axe. Wind exposure on the ridge is the main hazard.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Scald 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 28m
Edinburgh0h 23m

OS maps: OS Landranger 65, OS Landranger 66, OS Explorer 344

Mobile signal: Good. Pentland Hills; EE reliable on summit.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 08mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:42
Sunset: 19:36
Civil dawn: 06:05
Civil dusk: 20:13

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Scald Law.

Two-hill day
Scald Law + Allermuir Hill
Pentland Hills traverse — highest and northern edge in one round
18km · 750m ascent · 6 hrs

Got a photo of Scald Law?

30 seconds, helps other walkers.

Submit a photo

Walked it with a GPX?

From your watch or phone.

Submit GPX

Trip report?

Share what it was actually like.

Get in touch →

Around Scald Law on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Edinburgh Haymarket

West-end Edinburgh; Highland departures; Murrayfield

13km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Glenkinchie

Pencaitland — Edinburgh's neighbour; light, grassy Lowlander

24km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Scald Law — common questions

What difficulty is Scald Law?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Scald Law comes in at 2/5 — moderate. Underfoot: Well-trodden Pentlands paths over short cropped grass, with steep grassy steps between summits on the ridge and stony patches near the cairn.
What is Scald Law's prominence?: 314m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Scald 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.
When is the best time to climb Scald Law?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Scald 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 Scald 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 Scald Law?: Good. Pentland Hills; EE reliable on summit.
Is Scald Law safe in winter?: Snow can sit on Scald Law for weeks in a cold spell, and the steep north-facing slopes hold firm neve — micro-spikes useful, occasionally an axe. Wind exposure on the ridge is the main hazard.

Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly

One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.