Tail Burn

TheTamshee: departed Selkirk with clear blue sky en route to the Grey Mare's Tail and onward to Loch Skene. Unfortunately the mist rolled in on my ascent thus cancelling out the photography opportunity.

Grey Mare's Tail & Loch Skene

TheTamshee: and family got the hiking boots on and set off with destination, Grey Mare's Tail and Loch Skene in mind. Situated just 10 miles North East of Moffat is the "Tail" a spectacular 200 ft, waterfall in a dramatic moorland setting below White Coomb (2,690 ft ) The waterfall is one of the most spectacular landmarks in southern Scotland. The "Tail Burn" plunges 200ft into a gorge forming the fifth highest cascade in Britian. The challenge for TheTamshee was preventing the Indy kids from venturing off the stone path for some heather loup-in and plunging over the rather steep sided ravine. There was plenty to see on this fine day, mountain goats,
common lizards darting across the path way but far to quick to get a photograph. The female Peregrine Falcon was nesting on eggs, the NTS has a camera on site, open at weekends. The climb up passed the falls is quite challenging, and caution needed when young kids in tow.


The loch remains unpolluted and relatively undisturbed and it's shores have a desolate yet tranquil atmosphere. Golden Eagles once nested on the islet at the south end, but the last one was killed in the nineteenth century. Britain's rarest fish, the Vendace, has recently been introduced to Lock Skene as part of a species recovery programme.