Castle Law

Castle Law is a hill in the Pentland Hills south-west of Fairmilehead in Midlothian. Its slopes hold the remains of an Iron Age hill fort known as Castlelaw Hill Fort. The fort once had three earthen ramparts, deep ditches and wooden palisades. Inside stood a souterrain, a stone-lined underground passage used for storing grain and other produce. Archaeologist V. Gordon Childe led excavations here in 1932–33, revealing that the ramparts were built with clay and timber cores faced with stone. The fort sits high enough to overlook the Firth of Forth and the surrounding Lothian countryside. On clear days the visitor can see Traprain Law and Berwick Law, both prominent Iron Age power centres. Historic Environment Scotland maintains the site as a scheduled monument. The area remains an active sheep pasture, so dogs must be kept under control. Nearby is an army firing range, marked by red flags, and visitors should stay outside these boundaries. Visitors walk along grassy paths that cross the old ramparts and ditches. The souterrain entrance is visible near the centre of the fort. From the highest point there are wide views across Edinburgh and the Pentland Hills. The site is quiet, with only the wind and occasional sheep for company. The contrast between the ancient earthworks and the modern landscape is striking.