Scheduled MonumentsScotlandDuns Law,fort and Covenanters' Camp
Iron Age · Fort and covenanters' camp

Duns Law,fort and Covenanters' Camp

Scotland
HES SM3939
Period
Iron Age
Site type
Fort and covenanters' camp
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Duns Law is a hillfort located near Duns in Berwickshire, Scottish Borders, which served as a defensive settlement during the Iron Age. The fort occupies the summit and slopes of the hill and is defined by a series of ramparts and ditches characteristic of prehistoric fortification design. In addition to its Iron Age origins, the site holds significance for its later use during the Wars of the Covenant in the seventeenth century, when Covenanters' forces encamped there during their resistance to religious impositions by the Crown. The earthwork remains visible today as substantial defensive structures that reflect both its ancient military function and its role in early modern Scottish religious and political conflict.

Duns Law,fort and Covenanters' Camp is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3939. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Duns Law,fort and Covenanters' Camp?

Duns Law is a hillfort located near Duns in Berwickshire, Scottish Borders, which served as a defensive settlement during the Iron Age. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3939.

What period does Duns Law,fort and Covenanters' Camp date from?

Duns Law,fort and Covenanters' Camp dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a fort and covenanters' camp. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Duns Law,fort and Covenanters' Camp?

Duns Law,fort and Covenanters' Camp is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM3939.

What other scheduled monuments are near Duns Law,fort and Covenanters' Camp?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Cairnbank, settlement 210m ENE of (1.5 km), Preston Church, church and burial ground (2.4 km), Dunsmill Farm, settlement 125m NNE of (2.5 km).

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