Scotland
Callaw Cairn
507M
1663FT
About Callaw Cairn
Rising above the Kale Water in the Scottish Borders, this rounded Cheviot outlier offers a quiet alternative to the busier border peaks. Its grassy slopes lead to a modest summit cairn, providing a clear vantage point over the Iron Age earthworks at Hownam Rings and the distant, triple-peaked silhouette of the Eildon Hills.
Key Statistics
Rank
339th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Cheviots
Prominence
?
25
Nearest Town
Scottish Borders
Geology
The ground here is made of andesite, a rock formed from cooling lava. This is part of the Cheviot Volcanic Formation.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NT809144
Latitude
55.4237°N
Longitude
2.3028°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Callaw' likely derives from the Old English 'calu', meaning bald or bare, and 'hlaw', meaning hill—an apt description for this smooth, treeless summit.
- •The hill overlooks the Hownam Rings, a significant multi-phase hillfort that provides a window into Border life from the Bronze Age through to the Roman era.
- •To the east, the view is dominated by the massive bulk of The Cheviot, while the distinctive profile of Peniel Heugh and its monument can be spotted to the west.
- •The ascent is frequently paired with nearby Broad Law, following the ancient cross-border drove roads that define the character of these rolling southern uplands.
- •The summit cairn is a masterclass in Cheviot understatement, being just substantial enough to prove you’ve reached the top without obstructing the view of the surrounding heather.