Grey Mare’s Tail

White Coomb

10

8 7

9 6

5 11

4

3 To Selkirk 1 2

To Moffat A708

1 Grey Mare’s Tail trailer 7 Moraines This map illustration is intended as a guide and is not for 2 The Tail Burn ‘fort’ 8 Loch Skeen detailed navigational use. If you intend to leave the path beyond Loch Skeen, remember to take a map and compass 3 Waterfall viewpoint 9 Drystane dykes with you and know how to use them. 4 Footpath to Loch Skeen 10 White Coomb Learn more about mountain navigation with our qualified 5 Grey Mare’s Tail 11 Dob’s Linn Grey Mare’s Tail Ranger. Events run from April to October, 6 Drystane ruins to find out more visit www.nts.org.uk/events. R C 29/ 10/ 2012

MORAINES DOB’S LINN DRYSTANE DYKES DRYSTANE WHITE COOMB LOCH SKEEN

8 9 7

11 10 Grey Mare’s Tail Grey Mare’s took refuge here. who named after Halbert Dobson, a covenanter was This Linn is an internationally important geological site and is famous for Dob’s working was its fossils. In 1864 an amateur geologist, Charles Lapworth, can He realised that you he made an important discovery. here when (a type the fossil graptolites studying by of rock the age of a layer discover of a site is still used for dating rocks This of small sea creature) within it. similar age from around the world. around the landscape. hand-built stone walls traditional many notice You’ll as no mortar is used. Most as drystane (drystone) dykes are known They were made to the improvements when were built in the late 18th century, fallen into disuse or have have sheep farms in the area. More recently many fences. been replaced by White the surrounding landscape, over tower craigs As its impressive At 821m it is the highest hill in Coomb appears distant and remote. views from its rounded summit. Dumfriesshire and there are panoramic to be burial cairns around at the top are believed mounds low very two The old. 3,500-4,000 years shores. laps on desolate but tranquil unpolluted water clear, Skeen’s Loch in the Southern Uplands, sitting upland loch It is the highest large, natural 300m higher. rise over stark craigs The sea level. 500m above at over basin. in its rock has held water Age, a huge moraine Since the last Ice the islet at the south end, but the last Golden eagles once built a nest on rarest home to Britain’s is now loch The killed in the 19th century. one was vendace – recently successfully introduced as part of a fish, the freshwater programme. species recovery a hanging as what is known from flowing is a waterfall Tail Grey Mare’s 2 million years, the past Ages over Ice During a succession of valley. these glaciers the land. Like giant ice rivers, covered ice sheets massive the out and eroded by scraped and the ground beneath was moved slowly up into the hills, When the last glacier receded back carried. they rocks as known mounds are These boulders. it left deposits of silt, pebbles and moraines.

Burn Look out for wild goats, especially near the Tail Tail Look out for wild goats, especially near the distance View of Grey Mare’s Tail with Loch Skeen in the with Loch Tail of Grey Mare’s View craigs around the waterfall craigs peregrine falcons which nest every year on the year nest every peregrine falcons which Grey Mare’s Tail is well known for the pair of known is well Tail Grey Mare’s

Trail to Loch Skeen Skeen Loch to Trail www.nts.org.uk 0844 493 2249 [email protected] www.nts.org.uk

R C 29/ 10/ 2012

GREY MARE’S TAIL RUINS DRYSTANE FOOTPATH TO LOCH SKEEN TO FOOTPATH WATERFALL VIEWPOINT WATERFALL THE TAIL THE TAIL BURN ‘FORT’ GREY MARE’S TAIL TRAILER GREY TAIL MARE’S 1 2 4 5 3 6

is one of the most spectacular landmarks in southern Tail Grey Mare’s The Burn plunges 60m (200ft) into a gorge, forming the fifth Tail The Scotland. – do you highest cascade in Britain. Its name is thought to be descriptive tail? think it looks like a horse’s Scott Walter Shepherds once used these buildings as summer shelters. 19th Skeen with his family in the Loch by (no relation to the writer) lived out with his sheep, the roof he was night while One wild stormy century. 3 miles and walked blew off his house. Mrs Scott tied her son to her back for shelter. to Polmoodie through the wind and rain The safest view of the waterfall is from the drystane enclosure on the right- safest view of the waterfall The or sheepfolds that were resembles the stells This Burn. Tail hand side of the on this are the steps that take you Above once common in the landscape. Skeen. the steep path to Loch steep path clinging to the right-hand side of the gorge offers excellent The Skeen. Loch views. It takes about an hour to reach side the car park on the north above (or terminal moraine) terrace The along its edge, constructed and ditch of the burn has a prehistoric bank as the Giant’s has been known long bank The ago. around 2,000 years name The a burial mound. but it isn’t century, since the early 19th Grave various theories as to the use of the have reflects the fact that archaeologists been a place for pagan ceremonies? or could it have it defensive, Was site. Burn up the path. Tail the follow Look out for wild goats as you staff and where trailer visit the ranger’s can you In summer months, the require about information you any you give will be able to volunteers through nest also take a closer look at the peregrine falcon’s can You site. our CCTV link. Grey Mare’s Tail Mare’s Grey

1.2 miles / 2Km

Grey Mare’s Tail Grey Mare’s

ime Trail to Loch Skeen Skeen Loch to Trail Information at ranger trailer Information at ranger under control at all times To Loch Skene Loch To Dogs welcome but must be kept Distance Parking intended for navigational use. intended for navigational Estate Facilities essential. The map illustration is not map illustration The essential. Sheet 79 Landranger and warm, waterproof clothing is waterproof and warm, OS Map change dramatically, even in summer, in summer, even dramatically, change Skene approximately 1 hour Loch To keep to the paths. The weather can weather can The keep to the paths. wear footwear with good grip and T places and can be dangerous. Please places and can be dangerous. Please The paths are rough and steep in paths are rough and The Terrain Strenuous Grade views from White Coomb. views from picturesque Loch Skeen, and striking picturesque Loch gradually unfold, revealing the unfold, revealing gradually secrets of this hanging valley will secrets of this hanging valley waterfall. Venturing further, the further, Venturing waterfall. you climb past the spectacular climb past the spectacular you The steep path is worth the effort as steep path is worth The Description www.nts.org.uk 0844 493 2249 [email protected] www.nts.org.uk The Trust is supported by Trust The