Top 12 Lakes around Tweedsmuir

For hiking, Loch Skeen is a high mountain loch surrounded by mountains, offering a challenging ascent from the car park. Another popular choice is St Mary's Loch, which features waymarked paths for a complete circuit, mostly off-road, set amidst the stunning scenery of the Yarrow Valley.

Yes, Loch of the Lowes is considered family-friendly, offering a picturesque stretch of water with rolling hills. The path along its east shore has benches and grassy areas for resting. Additionally, March Wood, located on the west bank of St Mary’s Loch, offers family-friendly trails with stunning views over the loch.

The lakes in Tweedsmuir offer diverse natural features. At Loch Skeen, you can witness the Tail Burn feeding out of the loch and pouring over the Grey Mare's Falls. St Mary's Loch is edged by the historic Ettrick Forest, providing a scenic backdrop. The region also features rolling hills surrounding lakes like Loch of the Lowes.

The area around St Mary's Loch is rich in history. It edges the historic Ettrick Forest, a place where William Wallace and his allies reportedly grouped before raiding English settlements. March Wood, a community woodland near St Mary's Loch, is shown on one of Scotland's earliest maps and may be a remnant of the ancient royal hunting ground.

Beyond enjoying the lakes themselves, you can find various outdoor activities. For gravel biking, routes like the 'St Mary's Loch – Loch of the Lowes loop' are available. You can explore more options in the Gravel biking around Tweedsmuir guide. Running enthusiasts can tackle trails such as the 'Grey Mare's Tail and Loch Skeen Trail', detailed in the Running Trails around Tweedsmuir guide. For general hiking, there are numerous trails, including those around Stanhope Burn, which you can find in the Hiking around Tweedsmuir guide.

Yes, Loch of the Lowes is noted as dog-friendly. The walk along its east shore takes you through fields with sheep, so it's important to keep your dog on a lead in these sections. Once past the initial sheep fields, there are areas where dogs can safely run off-lead for a couple of kilometers.

While the guide doesn't specify a single 'best' time for all lakes, early June has been noted as reasonably dry for visiting areas like Loch Skeen. Generally, late spring to early autumn offers more favorable weather for outdoor activities. For the Turner Lake Chain in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, September is often recommended after the insect season.

While some lakes might appear inviting, caution is advised. For instance, swimming in St Mary's Loch is potentially dangerous due to regulated water levels and cold undercurrents. Always assess conditions carefully and be aware of local regulations before attempting wild swimming.

For a more secluded experience, the remote Tesla, Wahla, and Olaf Lakes in North Tweedsmuir Provincial Park are appealing, often accessed by floatplane and popular with fishing enthusiasts. While not directly in the guide's focus, they represent options for true wilderness solitude in the broader Tweedsmuir region.

Hiking difficulty varies. For example, the path to Loch Skeen involves a steep ascent from the car park, and the area can be very boggy, making waterproof shoes advantageous. Trails around St Mary's Loch are generally waymarked and offer a fine walk with only short sections on the road.

Visitors appreciate the stunning scenery and peaceful atmosphere. For St Mary's Loch, the mirror-like water nestled between low hills in calm weather is a highlight. The picturesque views over Loch of the Lowes from its viewpoints are also highly rated. The overall appeal lies in the raw natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and the chance to disconnect in a magnificent wilderness.

Yes, Daer Reservoir is a notable man-made lake in the Lowther Hills, created by the damming of the Daer Water. It was officially opened in 1956 and supplies water to the Scottish Central Belt, offering a stunning stretch of water.