The Law Timeline
The full history of the Law on one page
The Law - a volcano or not? Glaciers, fortifications, quarries, early motoring – find out everything in the Law Timeline. Scroll down to explore.
Laying Down the Rock
Floods deposit material and sandstone starts to form and volcanoes squeeze molten rock underground to form the rocks of the Law. Dundee's Volcano - Fact or Fiction?
Ice Ages
Glaciers of Ice Ages Sculpt the Law, eventually receding to allow trees and other plants to start growing on the Law.
Bronze Age
Local people have developed a complex society. Bronze Age people use the Law for rituals, including burying their dead with possessions such as weapons and clothing.
Iron Age
Iron Age hillfort built to protect people and livestock during conflict periods. Hillfort is burnt in a fierce fire. Iron Age Hillfort Video
Refortification
Law re-fortified with Bastions, possibly during unrest during the Rough Wooing.
Battle of Killiecrankie - Raising the Standard
John Graham leaves Dundee to fight at Killiecrankie - Find out More
The Newtyle Railway
The Law incline and tunnel built, and used for moving goods and people on the railway. Railway relocated to the Ninewells deviation. Newtyle Railway Video
Quarrying and road
Open quarries produce high quality rock for construction. Quarries later used for land fill. The first car to drive to the top was a 1906 Werbell, built in Dundee.
War Memorial
The War Memorial is unveiled
World War II
Pillbox built, memorial used as lookout, tunnel used as an air raid shelter
Communications and woodland restoration
The mast and building was built giving reliable communications across the city. It is still used by the emergency services. In the 1960’s trees returned after an absence of hundreds of years.
Creating a place for visitors
View point built, archaeological excavations confirm existence of hillfort and bastions.
The Law Heritage Project
Heritage Lottery Fund award, with grants from the Community Regeneration Fund help to carry out access and biodiversity improvements and engage local people.