Top 3 Lakes around Walkerburn And District

For walking and cycling, St Mary's Loch offers a nearly uninterrupted nine-mile ring route with breathtaking views. The Gladhouse Reservoir Scenic Road Section is also excellent for both hiking and cycling, providing tranquil views along its wooded northern shores. Additionally, the Upper Loch on the Bowhill House Estate is a beautiful spot for walking or cycling through Beech forests along its shores.

Yes, several lakes are suitable for families. Faldonside Loch is considered family-friendly, offering pleasant views from the track. The Upper Loch on the Bowhill House Estate is also a great family-friendly option for walks. St Mary's Loch and Loch of the Lowes provide opportunities for gentle walks and enjoying nature, with a shoreside cafe at Loch of the Lowes.

Beyond walking and cycling, you can enjoy various activities. St Mary's Loch is popular for fishing (brown trout, pike, perch, eels), sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and rowing, with temporary memberships available at the St Mary's Loch Sailing Club. Loch of the Lowes offers kayak and paddleboard hire. For more structured routes, you can explore MTB trails or hiking routes in the wider Walkerburn And District area.

St Mary's Loch is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, surrounded by hillsides that often provide excellent reflections on its still waters. The Loch of the Lowes, adjacent to St Mary's, also offers picturesque views, particularly at sunset. Loch Skeen provides a dramatic setting with craggy hillsides and feeds the spectacular Grey Mare's Tail waterfall.

Yes, St Mary's Loch has historical significance, having inspired Scottish writers like James Hogg and Sir Walter Scott. Along its shores, you can find the historic Dryhope Tower, a fortified keep, and the James Hogg monument. The Southern Upland Way and Sir Walter Scott Way long-distance walking routes also pass along its shores.

While beautiful year-round, the Upper Loch on the Bowhill House Estate is undoubtedly best in Autumn when the leaves are turning, though it's also spectacular in Spring. Generally, late spring to early autumn offers the most pleasant weather for outdoor activities around all the lochs.

Yes, many of the lochs offer easy walking opportunities. The 9-mile ring route around St Mary's Loch can be enjoyed in sections. Loch of the Lowes provides peaceful settings for walks. For more options, you can explore easy hiking routes in the broader region.

The area is rich in wildlife. Around Loch Skeen, you might spot wild mountain goats, peregrine falcons, and ravens. Baddinsgill Reservoir is known to attract various birdlife. The general region around the lochs is a haven for diverse flora and fauna.

Yes, there is a shoreside cafe at Loch of the Lowes where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery. For other lakes, it's advisable to check local amenities or bring your own refreshments, especially for more remote locations like Loch Skeen.

Loch Skeen is unique for its dramatic setting as the highest loch in the Southern Uplands. It feeds the spectacular Grey Mare's Tail waterfall, one of Scotland's finest, plunging 60 meters. The area showcases impressive glacial landforms, and the hike to the loch is recognized as one of Britain's finest one-day or half-day walks, offering breathtaking views and a chance to see mountain goats.

Visitors frequently praise the scenic beauty and tranquility of the lakes. For instance, the Gladhouse Reservoir Scenic Road Section is described as a 'delight for the eyes and soul' and a 'gorgeous reservoir' for cycling. The Upper Loch on the Bowhill House Estate is cherished as a 'beautiful place to while away a few hours'.