Black Law and Dollar Law

Manorhead

From the A72 a few kilometres west of Peebles, a narrow road signposted for Kirkton Manor and Manorhead leads south across the River Tweed.

The road continues through Kirkton Manor and, after roughly 2km, a junction is reached where a right turn should be taken toward Manorhead.

Follow this road for approximately 10km to its end, where rough parking is available for a few vehicles.

Heading up Black Law, looking over to Pykestone Hill

The route begins by crossing a small wooden footbridge over Manor Water near the parking area, then following a track toward a patch of pine trees. Skirting around the trees and striking directly uphill gains the crest of Sting Rig - Black Law's north-eastern spur. Heather and lumpy ground are crossed en route to the base of Black Law.

Sheep trods are picked up to traverse below the summit, heading northwards toward a col just north of Blackhouse Heights. A track is crossed, followed by a section of stunted heather, before a fence line is reached that traces the crest between Black Cleuch Hill and Black Law.

The summit of Black Cleuch Hill is located by a gate where the fence abruptly changes direction. (Note: Black Cleuch Hill is marked as "Blackhouse Heights" on OS 1:50,000 maps, which can be confusing.)

Glenrath Heights from Black Cleuch Hill

Glenrath Heights from Black Cleuch Hill

On Black Law looking over Conscleuch Head to Deer Law

From Black Law's summit, a faint path leads to its south-western top , where a fence junction is encountered. Crossing over to the fence-line's western side, a faint path leads southwards and downhill through heather to a col, followed by an uneventful ascent of Conscleuch Head .

Continuing south aside the fence, a broad col is reached, from which a vague ATV track can be followed to the summit of Deer Law . A standing stone a few feet high marks the top, and from where fine views extend over St Mary's Loch to the Moffat Hills.

After returning back to the col north of Deer Law, leave the fence-line and begin to head north-west. Some care is needed with route choice here. It's easy to be drawn too early to Glengaber Burn , crossing a fence and heading directly up Black Rig, where dense heather and tussocks make for tiring going. A better line keeps higher and further north-west, crossing the fence further up and gaining Greenside Law's north-eastern shoulder, which is more gently sloped and grassy.

On Deer Law, looking back to Black Law

On Deer Law, looking back to Black Law

Heading up Notman Law, looking back over Greenside Law

Heading south from Greenside Law, the terrain becomes much more pleasant. A faint path leads down to a fence line, which is then followed. The path gradually improves, becoming an ATV track as it descends to a broad, windy col.

Continue on the track, staying east of the fence, as it turns north-west and climbs Water Head, then more steeply over some damp ground to Notman Law - another rather unremarkable top without a significant marking of its summit.

Beyond Notman Law, the track ascends more gently toward Fifescar Knowe. On route the fence diverges away from the track, but stay with the track for another 400m or so before leaving it and heading directly over grass to the summit of Fifescar Knowe , where a broken wall and fence line cross it running north-south.

Dollar Law's summit with the Glen Sax hills beyond

Dollar Law's summit with the Glen Sax hills beyond

Descending Dollar Law, Black Law ahead

Descend north-eastward from Dollar Law following a faint path aside the wall and fence.

Ignoring any side tracks leading into forestry, stick with the path as it continues for around 2km gently losing height.

Lower down bracken is reached and the path begins curving southeast - leave it and descend directly to the road for a short walk back to the parking area.