Scheduled MonumentsScotlandTraprain Law,fort
Iron Age · Fort

Traprain Law,fort

Scotland
HES SM755
Period
Iron Age
Site type
Fort
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland

Overview

History & significance

Traprain Law is a Late Iron Age hillfort located near Dunbar in East Lothian, Scotland. The fort occupies a distinctive volcanic outcrop rising approximately 220 metres above the surrounding landscape, and is defended by substantial ramparts that enclose an area of roughly 13 hectares. Occupation of the site is primarily dated to between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, with evidence suggesting it functioned as a major settlement and administrative centre for the indigenous Votadini people during this period. The fort is also known from historical sources and archaeological investigation as a location of significance during the Roman period in Britain, yielding finds that testify to its continued importance as a regional focal point in the Iron Age societies of southeast Scotland.

Traprain Law,fort is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM755. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Traprain Law,fort?

Traprain Law is a Late Iron Age hillfort located near Dunbar in East Lothian, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM755.

What period does Traprain Law,fort date from?

Traprain Law,fort dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a fort. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Traprain Law,fort?

Traprain Law,fort 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 SM755.

What other scheduled monuments are near Traprain Law,fort?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Yester Castle & Hobgoblin Ha' vaulted chamber (8.5 km), Black Castle,fort,Newlands (8.6 km), Newlands,enclosure 500m S of (8.9 km).

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