Duns Law

A short circular hill walk with beautiful views from the top of Duns Law for little effort. The route also passes the site of an old Iron Age hill fort that has a 17th century fort built within it.

The latter fort was built in 1639 during the First Bishop’s War by a Scottish army led by General Leslie. It is worth taking the short detour to the orientation point on a clear day.

1. From Duns Market Square head up Castle Street and enter Duns Castle Estate through North Lodge archway at the top of Castle Street. After 50m turn right to take the steps leading up to Duns Law Fort and the Covenanter’s Stone. Follow this woodland path for 200m enjoying the views out west over Duns Castle Estate to the landscape beyond.

2. After 200m bear right and continue uphill through the woodland area. You can take a short detour to the left, part way up, which leads you to a cairn which marks what was believed to be the original site of Duns town. To continue to Duns Law follow the path as it continues uphill. After another 100m you will reach the edge of the woodland where a gate leads you out onto the hill.

3. Go through this gate onto the open hill. To continue up to the Covenanter’s Stone go in the direction of NNE. The summit is crowned by the low defensive banks of an Iron Age settlement, which may have given rise to a tradition that the original town of Duns stood on the hill. During the First Bishop’s War of 1639, a Scottish army under General Leslie occupied the site. They left behind an unfinished square fortification known as the “Covenanter’s Redoubt”. Inside the enclosure is a recumbent boulder known as the “Covenanter’s Stone” on which the standard of the National Covenant was reputedly raised. You may wish to visit the orientation point which can be found on the south side of the hill. The seat and plaque was built as a millennium project that was led by people in the community.

4. To descend the hill from the fort, head to the far right (north east) corner of the field. Go through the gate and turn right with the covered reservoir tank on your right. Go through the next gate ahead of you and follow the track down to the road.

5. At the bottom of the track turn right and use the pavement to take you back into Duns. Look out for Christ Church which is part of the Duns Town Trail. The church was erected in 1857 by Mr Hay of Duns Castle based upon a Romanesque style church which he had seen on the banks of the Rhine whilst on a sketching holiday.