St Mary's Loch
The largest natural loch in the Borders, ringed by hills and calm and expansive, with an old inn on its shore that was once a gathering place for writers.
St Mary's Loch is about 5 km long and is the largest natural loch in the Scottish Borders. It is surrounded by bare, rolling hills, with wide, peaceful views. On the isthmus between the southern end of the loch and Loch of the Lowes stands the Tibbie Shiels Inn, where Walter Scott, James Hogg and other writers gathered in the 19th century; a seated statue of Hogg stands nearby. You can walk along the southern upland path by the loch, or go sailing or fishing. Entry is free. The loch lies on the A708 between Selkirk and Moffat, so you'll need a car.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Peebles
- Neidpath Castle
- Traquair House
- Dawyck Botanic Garden
- Robert Smail's Printing Works
- Glentress Forest
- Bowhill House
- The Great Tapestry of Scotland