Grab your boots

Grab your Boots

8/12/2021

Grab your Boots

Head over to Moffat for some of the most amazing walks here in the South West of Scotland. These iconic walks will have you wanting to come back for more. Here are just a few of my favourites, but I have a few secret ones that not only will you love, you`ll have them all to yourself. But you`ll have to come and visit for me to share them with you.

Picture of a Loch with blue skies and reflecting on the water, there is not a ripple on the water. The sky is clear.

Three people stood on top of a hill with hills on the distance and a blue sky with some clouds.

A small lake with trees around and a cloudy sky, there are some green grasses growing in the lake

Here are 8 of my favourite walks

St. Mary`s Loch
Earshaig Lochans
Ae Forest
Rockcliffe to Sandyhills
Devil`s Beeftub
Gallowhill
Craigieburn Forest
Grey Mare`s Tail

St Mary`s Loch

This beautiful Loch is around 30 minutes drive from Dell-Mar Bed and Breakfast, it`s the largest natural Loch in the Scottish Borders and a delight to walk around. If your lucky enough you might even capture a low flying jet. This 7 1/2 mile walk takes you along the shores of the Loch, which are also part of the Southern Upland Way. The path is fairly flat but there is a small climb up to St Mary`s kirkyard, a very small old kirkyard from around the 1200`s, the church has now gone but there are a few grave stones that still remain. Rest a while and let it work it`s magic.

Some old gravestones with a Loch in the distance and hills, the sky is blue and there are a few clouds

A Loch with a few trees, there are hills in the distance and the sky is blue.

Earshaig Lochans

I love this small nature reserve, it`s peaceful, quiet and full of wildlife. There are many routes around this amazing place, from a gentle stroll around the 2 lochans which takes you on a mile walk along paths and a wooden "adder-like" boardwalk. There are picnic benches just for you to sit and enjoy the peacefulness or take a stroll, admire the wood carvings by Pete Bowsher, this is certainly a place not to be missed whilst visiting Moffat.

If you`re after a longer walk there is a circular walk taking in the Southern Upland Way, this takes you along the side of the Lochans and beyond to Rivoux bunkhouse and back around to Earshaig, a beautiful 10 mile walk, pretty flat along good forest tracks. You`ll certainly need a picnic and if you see anyone then you`ve been unlucky, one of the quietest walks in Moffat.

A body of water at Earshaig, there are lot`s of tree`s and bushes.

A wayward marker on a path, there is a small lake in the distance behind trees. there are lot`s of other trees around too

A large body of water at Earshaig, there are trees around it and plants growing in the water, the sky is grey.

Ae Forest

This amazing forest has something for everyone, walking, mountain biking or even on horseback. One of the largest forest in the UK it covers around 10,000 football pitches. Walking in this beautiful place can be from a gentle stroll through the trees, to a hike up the hills with outstanding views of the countryside.

Some of the walkways are marked, the Ae Naze Trail, an easy 3/4 mile on wide tracks, the riverside trail of the water of Ae a moderate 3 1/4 mile through the Norway spruce trees or the strenuous Green Hill Trail a 5 1/2 mile walk up hill where you will get amazing views of Queensberry Hill and Harestanes Wind Farm.

Bob walking over a bridge at the forest of Ae. The bridge is wooden and the river is dry, there are tress at the side.

A river that is very dry, there are stones along the river bed and trees along the side

Rockcliffe to Sandyhills

This amazing coastal path takes in some of the beautiful views of the Solway Firth looking towards Cumbria. With cliff top coastal views that will take your breathe away. Starting at Rockcliffe, a beautiful coastal village with a great teashop, you`ll join the coastal path for a wonderful 4 1/2 mile walk to Sandyhills then returning by bus, but this can be extended to 12 miles if you have the energy to walk back. It`s been described as one of the best in Britain with a view point at Castle Point not to be missed.

Devil`s Beeftub

This deep hollow is formed by 4 hills, Ericstane Hill, Annanhead Hill, Peat Knowe and Great Hill. Devil`s Beeftub gets it`s name from the cattle that was hidden there by the Borders Reivers of the Johnstone clan, who referred to their enemies as "Devil`s". Borders Forest Trust maintain the area and have planted many native tree`s around Corehead leading up to the Beeftub. There are several routes that can be taken around this famous landmark, ranging from a 3 to 4 miles up to a strenuous 14 miles, the choice is yours, but the view of Moffat is certainly worth the hike to see.

A wayward marker with a map of the walk around the Devil`s beeftub

An information board about the Devil`s BeefTub, behind are hills with clouds around and a grey cloudy sky

Gallow Hill

This beautiful wonderful hill is one of my favourites and just at the back of our house. You can follow the circular path or go up and over the top where you`ll find exceptional 360 degree views of the amazing Moffat countryside. Starting in Moffat town though, there is a 2 1/4 mile walk that will take you through the woods onto this community owned woodland. Volunteers have planted hundreds of tree`s which will not only benefit the local community but also visitors to the town. In the summer you`ll find wild Scottish raspberries that just make the most sweetest, delicious jam ever.

A view from Gallow Hill looking at the hills in the distance, there is a picnic bench and the sky is blue with white clouds

A raspberry bush with Scottish wild raspberries on them

A view from Gallow Hill looking at the sun setting and hills in the distance, the sky is clear and there are a few young trees

Craigieburn Forest

This is a great walk that is maintained by forestry and land Scotland. A 2 3/4 mile walk it takes in views of the Moffat Dales and the beautiful hills of the Southern Uplands. Just outside of Moffat along the A708 there is free parking before you take a long walk up sloping forest tracks. With well signed wayward markers it`s a very easy path to follow, although you may wish to walk higher where the views are more spectacular, making this walk into 5 miles. There is plenty of wildlife to see from bird`s, red squirrels and deer`s, , another walk where people are few and far between. Stunning.

A green information board for Craigieburn Forest, there are trees behind and a forest track

A wayward marker with a red stripe on, in the distance are hills and the sky is grey

Grey Mare`s Tail

This iconic waterfall is the most famous walk here in Moffat. From Loch Skeen the water flows along the burn until it plunges over 60 metres down into Moffat Water below. Owned by the National Trust this outstanding walk takes you along the side of the waterfall up to Loch Skeen at the top, but this is only a short, steep walk of about 2 3/4 miles the best walking is much higher on Mid Craig and White Coombe, where the walk becomes 6 miles and definitely worth the extra hike, with outstanding beauty the views are breath-taking, on a clear day there is no other place you would rather be. This is a must whilst on a walking holiday here in Moffat.

Susan from Dell-Mar B&B sat on a hill with Loch Skeen behind and hills, the sky is blue with a few white clouds

A Loch that doesn`t have a ripple on it, the sky is blue and is reflecting onto the water, there are some hills in the distance

Three people stood on top of a hill looking at the hills in the distance, the sky is blue with a few clouds in the sky

So there you have 8 of my favourite walks here in Moffat, but there are so many to choose from a weekend just isn`t long enough.

When will you come to our luxury Bed and Breakfast here in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway, where you`ll be welcomed by the friendliest hosts in Moffat, greeted with tea and homemade Lemon Drizzle Cake and given all the information you need to make your weekend full of magical memories.

See you soon Susan and David.

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