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Grey Mare's Tail

Waterfall

Grey Mare's Tail — Photo: james denham, Wikimedia Commons · Original Geograph photograph · Report the wrong picture

Explorer Tom

Grey Mare’s Tail throws itself 60 metres into the Moffat Water valley, as though the hillside has shaken out a silver mane and forgotten to stop. The name invites horse stories; the waterfall, Loch Skeen above it and the steep glacial landscape provide plenty of actual spectacle without asking you to believe one. This National Trust for Scotland reserve rewards a look beyond the white rush of water. Glacial erosion shaped the valley, and the route climbs toward Loch Skeen under high slopes and open sky. The Trust records peregrine falcons, ring ouzels, feral goats and occasional ospreys in the area; the rare vendace lives in the loch. Bring binoculars if you have them, but please do not expect the goats to pose like local celebrities. They have excellent agents and terrible punctuality. People have also left their marks here. The Trust describes a human story stretching at least to the Iron Age, and says Covenanters used Watch Knowe as a lookout in the seventeenth century. Standing in this wide valley, it is easy to see why someone would choose a high vantage point. Keep those real histories separate from any tale I might invent about a ghostly mare combing the falls each morning. The reserve is advertised as open daily throughout the year, but weather and steep ground matter more than a calendar. The Trust warns against visits in high winds and lists a car park charge, so check current conditions and visitor details before travelling. See the waterfall from a safe place, then decide whether the climb fits your day; this mare is worth meeting without racing her uphill.

What is recorded here

Within Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve, National Trust for Scotland

From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) n461707562

This does not grant access. Check current paths, opening conditions and ownership before entering.

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More pictures of this place

Grey Mare's Tail — Grey Mare's Tail · Photo: Richard Webb · CC BY-SA 2.0

Grey Mare's Tail — Grey Mare's Tail · Photo: Sarah Charlesworth · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Original Geograph photograph

Grey Mare's Tail, Nr. Moffat. Taken summer 2003, in my younger days I have been to the top but on this occasion we did not stay long as we thought the parking charges were extortionate! Not a car to be seen which says it — Grey Mare's Tail, Nr. Moffat. Taken summer 2003, in my younger days I have been to the top but on this occasion we did not stay long as we thought the parking charges were extortionate! Not a car to be seen which says it · Photo: Stafford Little · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Original Geograph photograph

Grey Mare's Tail Waterfall near Moffat — Grey Mare's Tail Waterfall near Moffat · Photo: Dannie Calder · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Original Geograph photograph

Grey Mare's Tail — Grey Mare's Tail · Photo: Les Hull · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Original Geograph photograph

Places near here

Photo credits

Walter Baxter, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Mary Rodgers, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Iain Lees, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Anthony O'Neil, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
M J Richardson, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Rude Health, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Iain Russell, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Callum Black, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Karl and Ali, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

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