Castle Law, Dumyat — The Ancient Codex

Castle Law, Dumyat, Stirling — Photo: Adrianmckie / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Dumyat is a hill (418 metres) at the western extremity of the Ochil Hills in central Scotland, with two principal summits: Castle Law on the west and Dumyat proper on the east. On the summit of…

Castle Law, Dumyat is a fortified place near Blairlogie, Stirling, Scotland.

What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.

The name

The name Dumyat (or Dunmyat; Scottish Gaelic 'Dùn Mhèad') is thought to originate from 'Dun' (hill fort) of the Maeatae — the Iron Age people associated with the fort.

History

Castle Law, Dumyat — historical view — Photo: Gunther Tschuch / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Dumyat is a hill (418 metres) at the western extremity of the Ochil Hills in central Scotland, with two principal summits: Castle Law on the west and Dumyat proper on the east. On the summit of Castle Law the remains of an ancient hill fort, originally occupied by the Maeatae, are still clearly discernible; the fort is a scheduled monument.

The fort has been excavated by Dr Murray Cook and Professor Gordon Noble of Aberdeen University. Radiocarbon dates from the site indicate at least two periods of use: c. 500 BC and the 5th to 7th century AD.

The hill's distinctive shape is an important part of the Stirling-area scenery and is often depicted, particularly in postcards and calendars, in combination with the nearby Abbey Craig. It is a popular climb for tourists, helped by the proximity of the Wallace Monument.

People

The Maeatae

Iron Age people who originally occupied the hill fort and from whom the hill takes its name
Dr Murray Cook

Archaeologist who excavated the fort (with Gordon Noble) for Aberdeen University
Professor Gordon Noble

Archaeologist (Aberdeen University) who excavated the fort

Cultural influences

The radiocarbon evidence for two phases of use — c. 500 BC and the 5th-7th century AD — points to occupation spanning the Iron Age and into the early medieval period.

Connections

Abbey Craig

Neighbouring hill frequently depicted together with Dumyat in views of the Stirling area
Photo: Finlay McWalter / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Wallace Monument

Nearby landmark whose proximity helps make Dumyat a popular climb

Discovery & excavation

The hill fort on the summit of Castle Law has been subject to excavation by Dr Murray Cook and Professor Gordon Noble of Aberdeen University. Radiocarbon dates obtained from the site indicate at least two periods of use, c. 500 BC and the 5th to 7th century AD.

In culture

The hill's characteristic shape is often depicted in postcards and calendars of the Stirling area, frequently shown together with the nearby Abbey Craig.

What to look for

The clearly discernible remains of the Iron Age hill fort on the summit of Castle Law, the western of Dumyat's two summits.
At the top of Dumyat: a memorial to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, a trig point, and a characteristic cairn with a beacon — commissioned for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977 and erected by the Menstrie Scout Group — now filled with wish-stones.
The scree on the scarp face of Castle Law, a source of agates and occasionally smoky quartz, citrine, calcite, barytes and the copper ores malachite and azurite.

What is said

Folklore and tradition, recorded as what is said — not as established fact.

The stones placed in the summit beacon are said to be wishes that have been made by people climbing the hill. (local custom)

Plan your visit

Location: 56.1577°N · 3.8773°W
Nearest settlement: Blairlogie
Access: Reached on a public path
Terrain: Moderate walking
Start point: Blairlogie / Dumyat path parking — Roadside parking and information board near Blairlogie at the foot of the usual Dumyat ascent; the hillfort remains are a steep walk up onto the Castle Law summit. No official HES visitor parking exists for this open-hill site.