''Disambiguation: the name Dechmont, and an associated "Dechmont Hill" are also places near
Cambuslang
Cambuslang ( sco, Cammuslang, from gd, Camas Lang) is a town on the south-eastern outskirts of Greater Glasgow, Scotland. With approximately 30,000 residents, it is the 27th largest town in Scotland by population, although, never having had a ...
in Scotland''
Dechmont Law is a hill in
Livingston
Livingston may refer to:
Businesses
* Livingston Energy Flight, an Italian airline (2003–2010)
* Livingston Compagnia Aerea, an Italian airline (2011–2014), also known as Livingston Airline
* Livingston International, a North American custom ...
,
West Lothian
West Lothian ( sco, Wast Lowden; gd, Lodainn an Iar) is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and was one of its shires of Scotland, historic counties. The county was called Linlithgowshire until 1925. The historic county was bounded geogra ...
, Scotland. It lies around 700 yards southwest of the village of
Dechmont, which provides its name. It is known locally as "Decky Hill" or as "Dechmont Hill" (''Law'' is
Lowland Scots for "
hill"). "Deer Hill" is another peak of the same hill, to the northeast 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
The almond (''Prunus amygdalus'', syn. ''Prunus dulcis'') is a species of tree native to Iran and surrounding countries, including the Levant. The almond is also the name of the edible and widely cultivated seed of this tree. Within the genus ...
valley.
Geology
Dechmont Law is a
volcanic plug.
History
The slopes show signs of agricultural terracing, from the
Bronze
Bronze is an alloy consisting primarily of copper, commonly with about 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (including aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes non-metals, such as phosphorus, or metalloids such ...
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.
The "Livingston Incident"
In 1979, forestry worker Bob Taylor had an alleged encounter with a
UFO in the area of Dechmont Law.
Rory Blackhall murder
In 2005, the body of 11 year old Rory Blackhall was found under an old, upside-down, two-person tent in woodland west of Dechmont Law. Rory's body was discovered after a methodical two hour search by a Countryside Ranger who knew the area well. Two mountain rescue members and a rescue dog, searching independently, were at the same spot a few minutes later. The Ranger helped the police to secure the area. The case has since closed, the murder suspect having committed suicide.
References
External links
Dechmont law
{{coord, 55.91065, N, 3.54851, W, region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(NT033697), display=title
Hills of the Scottish Midland Valley
Volcanic plugs of Scotland
Protected areas of West Lothian
Mountains and hills of West Lothian