Hownam Law

About Hownam

Hownam Law is a very distinctive hill which can be seen from many parts of the Borders. It has an impressive hill-fort on its summit and more than 100 hut circles within its perimeter walls. These can be seen as distinct ridges running around the summit area of the hill. From its summit you can see the Hownam Rings.

There's a nice literary connection to Hownam Law. Kelso-born poet William H Ogilvie knew this country well and admired the shepherds and their sheepdogs who herded on these hills. One day, spotting a collie in Kelso, he imagined where the dog would rather be and penned an affectionate poem to it, the first stanza of which is:

TO A COLLIE IN TOWN.
Where are you travelling, head on paw,
With big brown eyes a-dreaming ?
Leaving your bed in the barley straw
For the morning hill-mists cold and raw,
To gather the sheep on Hownam Law,
With the grey Kale under you streaming?
-- published in The Scotsman

NB: Postcode is closest available.