The Unbelievable Grey Mare`s Tail

Grey Mare`s Tail Nature Reserve 

From Moffat town take the A708 towards Selkirk, this road is full of twist and turns with spectacular views of the countryside. Passing the remarkable Craigieburn Gardens which in it`s self is worth a visit and Carrifran Wildwood, another great place to stop off, with native trees of Scotland, a beautiful place to explore, it takes about 20 minutes to arrive at the unbelievable Grey Mare`s Tail.

Grey Mare`s Tail is situated on the left, with ample car parking you can park for the day at only £3.00. I certainly recommend walking boots and waterproofs especially if it`s a wet day, the track is very easy to follow but can be hard under foot without the correct footwear. 

There are two paths to admire this amazing waterfall, one is just a viewing point but still is a little climb to get there. It certainly is worth it though, the water cascading down is beautiful. 

The second path will take you up to Loch Skeen and past the waterfall that cascades 60m down to the Moffat waters in the valley below. 

I`m taking the path up past the waterfall, in the rain, whilst taking in the outstanding scenery this is well worth getting wet for.

Grey Mare`s Tail is renown for it`s wildlife, ospreys, ring ouzels, feral goats or nesting peregrine falcons have been spotted here. Loch Skeen itself is also home to the rare freshwater fish "the Vendace"  

As I get to the top it unfolds and opens up to the picturesque Loch Skeen. It has taken me 50 minutes and it`s 1.4 miles. At this point I admire Loch Skeen and have a well deserved cup of tea, the view is just perfect, so peaceful and tranquil. You can however walk further afield to the peaks of Lochcraig Head, Mid Craig and the summit of White Coomb, where you`ll have breath-taking views that extend as far as the Lake District and Northumberland. I on the other hand are making my way back down to the bottom, admiring the scenery as I go, if you don`t have a head for heights then you may find it a bit hair raising, a few of our guests have not managed it quite to the top and have turned round mid height, but please try if you can you won`t be disappointed.  

Grey Mare`s Tail is one of South West Scotland's spectacular landmarks, the falls are the product of the different rates of glacial erosion during the last major glaciation around 15,000 years ago and Grey Mare`s Tail is one of the highest waterfalls in Scotland and the fifth highest in Britain. From the 19th century Grey Mare`s Tail became a notable tourist attraction and was visited by a number of famous sightseers including Sir Walter Scott, who described it in his poem Marmion as the "roaring linn"

So if you ever in the South West of Scotland be sure to take in the "Unbelievable" Grey Mare`s Tail.