In This Section

• Walking, 2011 Festival
• Researching Ancestry
• Golf
• Driving
  • An Art Gallery and 5 Museums
  • Four Lochs and a Waterfall
  • The Ettrick Shepherd and a Buddhist Temple
  • The Highest Village and the Oldest Post Office n Scotland
  • The Solway Coast
• Motorcycling
• Cycling
• Gardens
• For Kids
• Pampering
• In the evening
• Shopping
• Sports Activities
• In the rain
• Shopping Map
• Historic Houses
• Moffat and District Community Nature Reserve
• Moffat Woollen Mill
• Samye Ling Tibetan Centre
• Scenic Trail to Edinburgh
• St Marys Loch
• Station Park
• The Grey Mare's Tail

A short to medium drive with stunning scenery

Four Lochs and a Waterfall

Distance - 49 miles
(Suitable for a half-day or evening)

A fine example of a U-shaped valley

Leave Moffat on the A708, signposted Selkirk.  Not far beyond the hospital, the road rises from the valley of the Annan Water and then descends into the Moffat Water valley which it follows for about 9 miles.  This is the finest example of a U-shaped valley in the South of Scotland and the road undulates along the valley floor.

The Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve

After 10 miles, the Grey Mare's Tail tumbles from its hanging valley to the main valley floor.  The path to the left of the burn takes visitors to the bottom of the waterfall, whilst the very steep path to the right goes to the top.  Near the car park several notice boards explain the geology of the region and give details of the flora and fauna.

Watch for the statue of James Hogg on your left

 The road now rises to cross the water shed and just past Birkhill Cottage, once the home of the eminent Victorian geologist, Charles Lapworth, descends to the Yarrow Valley.  Between the Loch of the Lowes and St. Mary's Loch is Tibbie Shiel's Inn, a cafe, and a magnificent statue of James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd.

A Narrow Road, but worth the driving

 Half way along St. Mary's Loch, turn left towards Tweedsmuir.  This narrow road with passing places skirts the edge of the Megget Reservoir, and then descends to Talla Reservoir.  On reaching the main road at Tweedsmuir, turn left and return to Moffat.
 You are now in the Tweed Valley.  The road follows the river to its source, and reaches Moffat by the Devil's Beef Tub. 

A wonderful view of Moffat as you drive back

This steep corrie is not marked, but about a mile after the road begins to descend, i.e. about half a mile beyond the monument to the left of the road, there is parking, inconveniently on a bend, on the right hand side.  Cross the road carefully for the view over the edge of the Beef Tub before returning to Moffat.