A couple of weeks ago we decided to go and climb up Traprain in East Lothian. I've been passing this piece of left over volcanic rock on the way to visit family in Dunbar since I was born. Now finally I got around to climbing it. The weather was a bit cloudy but cleared as we reached the top so we had a reasonable view.
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| Looking towards the Lammermuir Hills from the top of Traprain Law |
Following the road along the base of the hill you come to a car park (oversized lay by) and from here climb over the style and along the side of the wall. The well worn path takes you up the fairly steep side, zig zagging until you reach the trig point at the top. It's a fairly good work out climbing up but quick too.
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| Wild ponies on top of the hill |
We were surprised to find a lovely group of wild ponies at the top, although the sign says don't approach them or feed them, they are friendly and obviously used to people. If they're not happy they move off, this trio were happy to pose.
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| David and Bracken photobombed by a pony |
Another surprise was how uneven the top of the hill is, it doesn't look like it from the surrounding countryside. Traprain Law was home to the Votadini from AD40 but there is evidence of it being used for burials from 1500BC. There is no evidence of the hill fort now and a big chunk has been quarried out of the north east corner.
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| The Bass Rock |
In 1919 archaeologists found a hoard of silver plate within the boundary of the settlement. The hoard consisted of hacked up table ware with only some pieces remaining intact. There was also some coins and fragments of a Roman officer's uniform. You can now see this amazing collection in the Royal Museum of Scotland in Chamber Street (one of my very favourite places).
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| Bracken on a Rock |
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| David and Bracken with the East cost in the Background |
We had good views of Dunbar to the east and North Berwick and the Bass Rock to the north. To the south ranges the Lammermuir Hills. You can't quite see Edinburgh as there are several low hills in the way.
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| Dunbar |
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| North Berwick |
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| A Lion King moment |
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| Looking to Edinburgh |
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| Plenty healthy mosses on the rock |
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| The ponies |
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| Me and Bracken |
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Legend says this was a sacrificial pool where the tribes people placed goods to
appease the gods or to ask for favours.............. |
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| Looking back over the top of the hill |
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| Looking to the Lammermuirs |
We followed the same path back down, it's a bit muddy in places so take care if it's been raining. We went for lunch at Smeatons Garden Centre in East Linton just 10 minutes away. They have a lovely wee cafe in the old greenhouses in the walled garden and do a good panini and salad. We enjoyed our morning out and there is plenty more to do in East Lothian if you are spending time in this area.
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