Berwick-law? Broomielaw?

Subject: RE: Berwick-law? Broomielaw?
From: michaelr
Date: 25 Feb 12 - 06:51 PM

Thanks all! Much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Berwick-law? Broomielaw?
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 25 Feb 12 - 04:17 PM

When I was growing up in Edinburgh, we could see Berwick Law from the bathroom window on a good day. The only thing between our house and the Urals!

Subject: RE: Berwick-law? Broomielaw?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 25 Feb 12 - 04:04 PM

It's actually *North* Berwick Law - just inland from North Berwick, which is 50 miles from Berwick with several other towns and villages in between.

Standing on the North Bridge of Edinburgh, which I think is where Burns imagined his narrator to be, you can see that far, and it's the last view you'd have of a ship sailing out of the Forth; it would turn southwards behind the hill.

In "Broomielaw" the word means more of a slope than a hill (and not much of a slope).

Subject: RE: Berwick-law? Broomielaw?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 25 Feb 12 - 03:53 PM

It's Scots Law, and therefore part of the Hearts of Midlothian problem. Run awa' to Gretna Green for Mairie's wedding.

Subject: RE: Berwick-law? Broomielaw?
From: maeve
Date: 25 Feb 12 - 03:36 PM

"North Berwick Law is a conical hill which rises incongruously from the surrounding landscape (indeed, this is the definition of the Lowland Scots word "law"). It overlooks the East Lothian town of North Berwick and stands at 613 ft (187 m) above sea level..."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Berwick_Law

Subject: RE: Berwick-law? Broomielaw?
From: John J
Date: 25 Feb 12 - 03:36 PM

Also in Northern England. I imagine 'Low' is a derivation, eg: Arbor Low.

JJ

Subject: RE: Berwick-law? Broomielaw?
From: Lighter
Date: 25 Feb 12 - 03:27 PM

Generally "law" is a Scots word for a hill, espiecially if more or less round or conical (says the OED).

Old English "hlaw," as in Beowulf.

Subject: Berwick-law? Broomielaw?
From: michaelr
Date: 25 Feb 12 - 03:10 PM

The Broomielaw is an area in Glasgow, mentioned in several songs (Jamie Rayburn, Pittenweem). Burns' "Silver Tassie" has a reference to the Berwick-law. Does anyone know where that is?

These "laws" appear to be seaside areas. Are there any others? And what is the etymology of "law" in this context?

TIA,
Michael