© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland
Outer Cock Law is a linear earthwork and associated old roads located in Roxburghshire, Scotland. The monument sits upon bedrock of Silurian to Devonian extrusive rocks, specifically mafic lava and mafic tuff formed during the Devonian period. This volcanic foundation creates the underlying geology of this part of the Scottish Borders, a landscape shaped by ancient geological processes millions of years before the earthwork was constructed.
The linear earthwork represents a significant landscape feature, likely dating to the medieval or early modern period when such boundaries and drove roads served practical purposes in managing movement across the terrain. Old roads associated with the monument reveal patterns of historical communication and commerce across the rolling landscape of Roxburghshire, following routes that often took advantage of natural topography and drainage conditions.
The site is protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument under reference SM5006, recognising its importance as evidence of past land use and territorial organisation. The earthwork and road system together form part of the broader archaeological record of the Scottish Borders, contributing to understanding how communities structured and traversed their landscape over centuries.
Outer Cock Law, old roads and linear earthwork is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5006. View the official record →
Outer Cock Law is a linear earthwork and associated old roads located in Roxburghshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5006.
Outer Cock Law, old roads and linear earthwork 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 SM5006.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Ring cairn and round cairn on Turf Hill (9.2 km), Two deserted medieval hamlets and part of an associated field system, 830m east of Shillmoor (9.2 km), Passpeth Sike deserted medieval hamlet, 1.2km east of Shillmoor (9.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Outer Cock Law, old roads and linear earthwork's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Outer Cock Law, old roads and linear earthwork stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Silurian To Devonian, bedrock that formed in the Devonian. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.