© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland
The Law is a cairn situated 175 metres north-north-west of East Law in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It stands upon bedrock of Ordovician to Silurian age, specifically an unnamed mafic igneous intrusion formed during the Silurian period. This geological foundation of dark, heavy rock would have provided a stable base for the monument's construction and contributed to the character of the local landscape.
As a Bronze Age or Iron Age cairn, the monument represents a significant burial or ceremonial site from prehistoric Scotland. The selection of this elevated position with views across the surrounding terrain reflects the importance placed on such locations in Iron Age and earlier societies. The mafic igneous bedrock, being naturally resistant to weathering, would have ensured the monument's durability over millennia.
The Law is protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument under reference SM12113, recognising its importance as an archaeological and heritage asset. The cairn survives as a tangible record of Aberdeenshire's prehistoric past, its construction and placement reflecting the values and practices of the communities who built it. The monument contributes to understanding settlement patterns and burial practices across northeast Scotland during the later prehistory.
The Law, cairn 175m NNW of East Law is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM12113. View the official record →
The Law is a cairn situated 175 metres north-north-west of East Law in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM12113.
The Law, cairn 175m NNW of East Law 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 SM12113.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Balquhain Castle (5.3 km), East Blairbowie, standing stone 250m ENE of (5.9 km), Mither Tap, fort (6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of The Law, cairn 175m NNW of East Law'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.
The Law, cairn 175m NNW of East Law stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician To Silurian, bedrock that formed in the Silurian. The rock here is mafic igneous-rock.