If Scotland was like Hollywood, then there is no denying that The Highlands and Islands would feature the mega Stars. Names like Hanks, Pitt, Jolie and Johansson come to mind. Southern Scotland on the other hand would almost exclusively consist of B- list stars. Talented for sure, but lacking that certain something that the A-grade legends have. Just as these lesser-known actors could still put in a memorable performance, so Southern Scotland has much to offer the keen walker and outdoor person. On a long drive back from the Cairngorms, I decided to take a detour and enjoy a walk to Loch Skeen. What a great decision it was! Waterfalls, tumbling burns, solitude and mountain scenery were all enjoyed. It’s a place that I can’t wait to return to at some point, such was its beauty.
Where Is Loch Skeen?
I found that it was around a twenty five minute drive to get from Moffat to the car park at the beginning of the walk. Don’t let the relatively short distance trick you into thinking it could be completed much quicker. The road is up and down all the way and doesn’t have the best of surfaces in places. The scenery almost forces you to take your time too. Tall hills and deep glens are to be enjoyed.
Now you know where Loch Skeen is located, I think it’s time to jump straight into five big reasons why you need to go for a walk to Loch Skeen.
1) The Landscape At The Beginning
The mountains aren’t craggy like in The Highlands, but they’re still dramatic in places and reach some impressive heights. The map above shows how many summits exceed seven hundred metres in height with some in excess of eight hundred metres. That’s taller than any of the summits in The Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland for that matter. I love how in Scotland terrain like this isn’t protected or considered special. It’s just a standard Scottish landscape. I have come to learn with my various trips north of the border why the Scots are such a proud lot. How could you not be with countryside like this?
2) Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall
When a waterfall is marked on an OS map even when fully zoomed out, you know that it must be pretty mighty. The dramatic Cautley Spout in Cumbria A little research soon told me why the Grey Mare’s Tail is quite famous in southern Scotland. With a 60 metre drop, the waterfall ranks as one of the tallest in the whole of the UK. This website, which focuses exclusively on waterfalls believe it or not, ranks it as one of the best. There are many other sites that do the same thing too. Clearly Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall should not be missed. When you first see it, you understand why this is the case. It has a spectacular location and you can’t help but stand to admire its size and majesty right at the start of the walk to Loch Skeen.
3) Variety Along The Route
The walk to Loch Skeen might only be a couple of kilometres in length, but boy does it manage to pack in lots of variety along the way. As already mentioned, it starts with a steep ascent up alongside the waterfall. The landscape is dramatic and craggy at this point, with incredible views back down towards the car park too. It is highly likely you’ll be more than happy to take your time on this section and just enjoy where you are. I was certainly wondering why the path wasn’t busier. Stick it in The Lake District not all that far away and people would be moving along the route like ants.
Once you reach the top of the falls, the views around you completely change. The dramatic narrow valley you have just navigated suddenly gives way to a much more open landscape. The surrounding mountains are further away and may well be wearing their winter coat if you visit at the right time of the year. I can well imagine it is every bit as beautiful in the warmer months too though.
What is also enjoyable about this section of the walk above the falls is that you follow Tail Burn all the way to its source at the loch. There are several smaller waterfalls to enjoy along the way and you just get that refreshing sound of cascading water for the entire route. Maybe it’s just me, but this sound has to be one of the best parts of being in the mountains. You just don’t get it very often if at all near London.
4) Loch Skeen Itself
It’s always great to head out on a walk with a goal in mind. For many, this route is an out and back one, but the prize at end of the outward leg makes all the ascending more than worth it. Like many lochs in Scotland, this one is completely natural. There are no dams or signs of human interference with the natural flow of the water. It is clear that the large quantity of rain that falls on the surrounding mountains drains into the natural bowl that is Loch Skeen.
The sense of isolation is tremendous up here too. At around 500 metres above sea level, any roads are far below you and thus any man-made noise is non- existent. As somebody who enjoys wild camping, I can well imagine Loch Skeen would make a great place to enjoy a night. This chap does a great job in showing how good it is. If you are partial to a bit of camping yourself, then I hope you enjoy his video as much as I did.
5) The Fact It’s Off The Beaten Track
You may well scoff at that title, reminding me that a waterfall only thirty minutes from a motorway can’t be off the beaten track. How many people that you know have said that they aim to visit The Moffat Hills any time soon? Without having a crystal ball, I think I still know the answer to that one!
Like most other visitors to Scotland, my first ambition was to head straight into the mountains north of Glasgow. I’ll never forget that trip, nor will I forget my first drive along the A74. Myself and my partner at the time were rather shocked at the beauty of the landscape we passed through. I told myself I’d be back at some point to explore and I’ve been lucky enough to do it twice. The first trip was to the stunning Galloway Forest Park. Click here to read more about my adventure exploring bothies and the tallest mountain in southern Scotland here. Then of course there was this trip, which has motivated me to explore even more of the area. Watch this space……