How far is the Grey Mare's Tail from Edinburgh?

Approximately 75km / 1 hour 15 minutes by car. It makes a perfect half-day excursion from Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Is there a via ferrata near Grey Mare's Tail?

No — the via ferrata is at Kinlochleven near Glencoe. The Grey Mare's Tail is a nature reserve with a walking path, no fixed protection routes.

Wild Swimming

Grey Mare's Tail

The Grey Mare's Tail is Scotland's fifth highest waterfall (60m), pouring from Loch Skeen above Moffat into a classic horseshoe plunge pool at its base. The NTS manages the nature reserve; the pool at the foot of the falls is accessible on a good path. Swimming at the base of a 60m waterfall in the Southern Uplands hills — backed by peregrine falcons and mountain hares — is a remarkable experience, and the drive from Edinburgh or Glasgow takes under 2 hours.

Quick facts

Type: Waterfall
Region: Southern Uplands
Grid ref: NT 186 145
Entry: Gravel / pebble
Depth: Medium (chest-deep)
Summer water temp: 8–15°C
Midges: Moderate
Dogs: On lead only

Best months

Key hazards

steep descent to pool — not suitable in wet weather
cold water shock
path eroded in places

Getting there

NTS car park on the A708, 15km northeast of Moffat (DG10 9LQ). The path to the base of the falls is 20 minutes. The path to Loch Skeen above is steeper (45 minutes, good condition required). SOAC rights apply on NTS land.

Parking postcode: DG10 9LQ

Safety

The path to the pool base can be very muddy and slippery — dedicated walk footwear required. Do not swim directly under the main fall — the force of water is dangerous. The pool to the side is swimmable in settled conditions. Keep dogs on leads — livestock graze the NTS reserve.

Best for

Southern Scotland wild swim
short day from Edinburgh/Glasgow
waterfall photography

Nearby

Current conditions

Daylight Today

17h 21mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:15
Sunset: 21:04
Civil dawn: 04:29
Civil dusk: 21:50

NOAA Solar Calculator · 9 May 2026

Common questions

How far is the Grey Mare's Tail from Edinburgh?: Approximately 75km / 1 hour 15 minutes by car. It makes a perfect half-day excursion from Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Is there a via ferrata near Grey Mare's Tail?: No — the via ferrata is at Kinlochleven near Glencoe. The Grey Mare's Tail is a nature reserve with a walking path, no fixed protection routes.

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