Dechmont Law
Encyclopedia
Disambiguation: the name Dechmont, and an associated "Dechmont Hill" are also places near Cambuslang
in Scotland
Dechmont Law is a hill in Livingston
, West Lothian
, Scotland
. It lies around 700 yards south west of the village of Dechmont, where it derives its name. It is known locally as "Decky Hill" although these names are of far more recent provenance. It has also been known as "Dechmont Hill" (Law is Lowland Scots
for "hill
"). "Deer Hill" is another peak of the same hill, to the north east of the main peak.
It is the highest hill in the Livingston area, and Arthur's Seat
and the Pentland Hills
can be seen from here, as well as a view down the Almond
valley.
.
The slopes show signs of agricultural terracing, from the Bronze
and Iron Age
, but it is unclear whether it was ever a hillfort. Its strategic position makes this likely, but there is insufficient archaeological evidence.
In 2005, the investigation of the murder of Rory Blackhall, a schoolboy, also involved Dechmont Law Park. This is where Rory's corpse was found; in woodland 500m West of the summit. The case has since closed, and the murder suspect committed suicide. http://www40.thny.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4172262.stm
plantations, and it was here in 1979 that Bob Taylor, a forestry worker had an alleged encounter with a UFO in a clearing, which he claimed dragged him along the ground. Police were called in to investigate, and found odd marks and indentations on the ground, but these did not correspond exactly with Taylor's claim, and it has been said that they had been made there by other workers, who may have stored ladders and equipment on the site. It is, however, still considered one of the most significant "Close Encounters" on Scottish soil, and often referred to as "the Livingston Incident".
Cambuslang
Cambuslang is a suburban town on the south-eastern outskirts of Glasgow, Scotland. It is within the local authority area of South Lanarkshire. Historically, it was a large rural Parish incorporating nearby hamlets of Newton, Flemington, and Halfway. It is known as "the largest village in...
in Scotland
Dechmont Law is a hill in Livingston
Livingston, Scotland
Livingston is a town in West Lothian, Scotland. It is the fourth post-WWII new town to be built in Scotland, designated in 1962. It is about 15 miles west of Edinburgh and 30 miles east of Glasgow, and is bordered by the towns of Broxburn to the northeast and Bathgate to the northwest.Livingston...
, West Lothian
West Lothian
West Lothian is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, the Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It lies around 700 yards south west of the village of Dechmont, where it derives its name. It is known locally as "Decky Hill" although these names are of far more recent provenance. It has also been known as "Dechmont Hill" (Law is Lowland Scots
Scots language
Scots is the Germanic language variety spoken in Lowland Scotland and parts of Ulster . It is sometimes called Lowland Scots to distinguish it from Scottish Gaelic, the Celtic language variety spoken in most of the western Highlands and in the Hebrides.Since there are no universally accepted...
for "hill
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
"). "Deer Hill" is another peak of the same hill, to the north east of the main peak.
It is the highest hill in the Livingston area, and Arthur's Seat
Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh
Arthur's Seat is the main peak of the group of hills which form most of Holyrood Park, described by Robert Louis Stevenson as "a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design". It is situated in the centre of the city of Edinburgh, about a mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle...
and the Pentland Hills
Pentland Hills
The Pentland Hills are a range of hills to the south-west of Edinburgh, Scotland. The range is around 20 miles in length, and runs south west from Edinburgh towards Biggar and the upper Clydesdale.Some of the peaks include:* Scald Law...
can be seen from here, as well as a view down the Almond
River Almond, Lothian
The River Almond is a river in east-central Scotland. It is 28 miles long, rising in North Lanarkshire near Shotts and runs through West Lothian, draining into the Firth of Forth at Cramond near Edinburgh....
valley.
Geology and other history
Dechmont Law is a volcanic plugVolcanic plug
A volcanic plug, also called a volcanic neck or lava neck, is a volcanic landform created when magma hardens within a vent on an active volcano. When forming, a plug can cause an extreme build-up of pressure if volatile-charged magma is trapped beneath it, and this can sometimes lead to an...
.
The slopes show signs of agricultural terracing, from the Bronze
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
and Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
, but it is unclear whether it was ever a hillfort. Its strategic position makes this likely, but there is insufficient archaeological evidence.
In 2005, the investigation of the murder of Rory Blackhall, a schoolboy, also involved Dechmont Law Park. This is where Rory's corpse was found; in woodland 500m West of the summit. The case has since closed, and the murder suspect committed suicide. http://www40.thny.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4172262.stm
The "Livingston Incident"
The hill is used mostly for forestryForestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
plantations, and it was here in 1979 that Bob Taylor, a forestry worker had an alleged encounter with a UFO in a clearing, which he claimed dragged him along the ground. Police were called in to investigate, and found odd marks and indentations on the ground, but these did not correspond exactly with Taylor's claim, and it has been said that they had been made there by other workers, who may have stored ladders and equipment on the site. It is, however, still considered one of the most significant "Close Encounters" on Scottish soil, and often referred to as "the Livingston Incident".