Name: Dundee Law
Rating: 5.0

Dundee Law

Law Road, Dundee, Dundee and Angus, DD3 6HT, Scotland

1-90 Years

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Description

Dundee Law is a 572-foot hill and one of the most iconic landmarks in Dundee, offering panoramic views across the city and surrounding regions. Rich in history, it has been used since prehistoric times and features archaeological finds dating back thousands of years. Open year-round, it is a popular spot for walking, sightseeing and exploring nature.

Visitors can climb to the summit via well-maintained paths and steps, enjoy scenic viewpoints stretching up to 45 miles, and explore trails like the Hidden Treasures Trail and Geocache trail. The site also features historical elements such as an old railway tunnel, wartime pillbox, quarries and allotments, along with diverse wildlife habitats filled with birds, butterflies and woodland species. A signed “Town to Top” walking route leads from the city centre to the summit, making it easy to access and explore.

Entry to Dundee Law is completely free for all visitors.

Dundee Law offers a perfect blend of history, nature and breathtaking views. With its walking trails, wildlife and cultural significance, it provides a rewarding experience for visitors of all ages. It is an ideal destination for a scenic walk, photography or simply enjoying Dundee from above.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

The 572-foot peak is the city's most distinctive landmark and an enduring attraction for visitors and locals. Central to Dundee’s defences for thousands of years, the Law was used as Iron Age hillfort and prehistoric graves dating to about 1500 BC have been uncovered on its slopes.
Roman pottery dating from the 1st century AD has also been discovered. The most notable find, a cup-shaped steatite lamp found during the construction of the war memorial, can be seen in the city’s McManus Galleries.
In the 1820s, the Law had a 300 metre long, 3 meter diameter tunnel driven through its eastern flank to carry the Dundee to Newtyle railway. Originally drawn by horse, the first locomotive was introduced in 1833 and operated until the 1860s when a new railway line was built to skirt the hill.
The summit has an observation point offering spectacular views extending on a clear day almost 45 miles over the city to Fife, Perthshire and the Sidlaw Hills to the north. Visitors can explore the whole site using recently refurbished paths and steps.
There is plenty to do at the Law. The view from the top is well known or be adventurous and try our Hidden Treasures Trail or the Geocache trail. The paths and steps have been overhauled in 2016, so getting round is easy. 300 steps replaced with improved paths, drainage and handrails.
The Law Heritage Project is working on new signs at interpreting the Law and its view. Explore the paths and trails looking out for wildflowers, birds and butterflies among the trees and meadows. You will come across different views of the city and find relics of different ages.

What to see

Allotments: The 3 allotments around the Law are Kinnaird, Stirling Park and West Law. There is also a new project to create a growing space at the old piggeries. Stirling Park and Kinnaird used to be lower on the hill and were moved to allow the development of housing and to allow the building of the road to the Law summit. Allotments became very important during the war periods and are attracting new interest as we become more aware of what goes into our food.
Wildlife Habitats: Many years ago, the Law was covered in woodland, which provided habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. This was cleared as the city grew, to provide wood for fuel and buildings, and was kept clear by grazing of sheep and cows until the 1940’s. Some areas where kept open with grand views, managed as meadows. Look out for woodland birds like finches, tits and tree creepers. Butterflies and bees are busy in the meadows. You may see squirrels or hear the calls of sparrowhawks which breed here.
Pillbox: Pillboxes were built during the second world war in preparation for invasion. There is a lot of interest in Pillboxes and other war time constructions now. However for some reason, there is very little information about this one. It does not appear in the minutes of Dundee’s wartime Emergency Committee or in the Minutes of Dundee Corporation. The Pillbox has suffered vandalism. The Law Heritage Project intends to secure it and deter people from abusing it. It may be possible to give it a new lease of life as a cave for bats!
The water trough and old quarries: Hidden in the undergrowth is an odd structure. This is an old water trough, used to give horses a drink. The horses were here, because in 1870 this was the entrance to a quarry which also housed a smithy. This was one of 2 quarries on the Law, which we can see in old maps. The hard igneous rock of the Law was quarried for use in railways, roads and in the making of concrete. The quarries were active for about 40 years but it was not until 1981 that the last was completely filled in and topped with soil.
Old Road: This path is on the line of the old road that ran from Lawton Farm, on Lawton Road to Constitution Street. The road is on the maps of the 19th century, before roads like Law Crescent or Law Road were built. Horses and carts would have been the transport used on the road. You can see some remaining stone setts that would have been an improvement to the dirt surface of the road in Victorian times.
Hidden Treasures Trail: Explore the paths and history of the Law. You are guaranteed to find out something new. For Geocachers, there is an interactive Wherigo trail, just for you.
Town to Top: There is a signed walking route from the City Square to the top of the Law. The 1 mile route avoids the busiest roads and uses footways and steps and taking about 40 minutes.