The Grey Mare's Tail is one of Scotland's finest waterfalls, a magnificent 60m cascade in the Moffat hills. This walk climbs past the falls and continues up to beautiful Loch Skeen, ringed by craggy hillsides.
Good hill path with steep climb; care needed above the ravine.
None to start.
Grey Mare's Tail car park.
Park at the Grey Mare's Tail car park - there are two parts, one on each side of the river. The area is owned by the National Trust for Scotland who have an information trailer here, with webcam of the nesting peregrines during the seaon. The main path begins on the west side of the burn - keep right on the main path at a fork, soon crossing a footbridge to an interpretation area in an old sheepfold. The path climbs steeply to get above the landslips at the bottom end of the gorge of the Tail Burn.
The path then makes a rising traverse above the gorge. Look out for the peregrine falcons swooping through the air. The great cataract that is the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall becomes more impressive with each step - as does the drop into the ravine! The falls are 60m high and rank amongst the most impressive in Scotland; they were celebrated in verse by Sir Walter Scott:
Where deep deep down, and far within
Toils with the rocks the roaring linn;
Then issuing forth one foamy wave,
And wheeling round the giant's grave
White as the snowy charger's tail
Drives down the pass of Moffatdale.
Look out also for a herd of hairy wild mountain goats that roam this area. The path continues climbing, albeit now more gradually, and passes a couple of other smaller waterfalls. Continue up the hanging valley of the Tail Burn through hummocks to reach the outflow of picturesque Loch Skeen.
The waters of the loch are backed by the craggy rim of the plateau; this is a beautiful spot. To the west rises the Corbett of White Coomb, whereas the loch is backed by the steep face of Lochcraig Head and . The well constructed path ends at this point; unless intent on a longer and more challenging hillwalk the return is the same way, though passing the magnificent Grey Mare's Tail once again is no hardship.
Once back across the river, it is worth detouring up the other path on the far bank of the burn for a different view of the waterfall. Do not proceed beyond the barrier as the onward path has collapsed.
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