Start/Finish

National Trust for Scotland car park for Grey Mare’s Tail, A708 GR: NT186145

1 NT186145 From the car park, take the well-made path that crosses the Tail Burn and climbs the hillside to the right above the Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall. This initial section is steep but the path is distinct, well-drained and rarely muddy so progress is straightforward. The ground falls away steeply to the left towards the deep cauldron at the foot of the falls. It’s best to keep firmly on the path with any dogs on the lead, especially in wet or wintry conditions, as the steep ground off-path can be slippy.

2 NT180152 Above the uppermost waterfall, the gradient eases and the path levels out by the Tail Burn flowing out of Loch Skeen. Turn L off the path to ford the burn – please note this crossing can be tricky when the burn is running high. Once across, follow an old tumbledown wall to Upper Tarnberry (546m), then up steeper, craggy ground by Rough Craigs. A little bit of zig-zagging is needed on the climb to turn some of the outcrops, but hands should not be needed. Once on easier terrain above, follow the broad crest to the summit cairn of White Coomb (821m)

3 NT163151 In true Southern Uplands fashion, the route now largely shadows fences and ruined walls along the broad, grassy ridgelines. From the summit cairn of White Coomb bear NW, cross a fence and pick up another fence heading WNW across a shallow col then gently up to Firthhope Rig (800m). At a junction of fences just north of the top, turn right, following the fence line NNE, passing just east of Donald’s Cleuch Head (776m) then over Firthybrig Head (766m) to another junction of fences.

Loch Skeen is now in view on the right in its deep hollow.

4 NT159172 Follow the fence that bears right and head steeply downhill to the col of Talla Nick. Keep with the fence up the steep hillside opposite. As the slope levels out bear slightly left away from the fence to find the summit cairn of Lochcraig Head (801m). Enjoy the fine views east towards the billowing sea of hills around St Mary’s Loch.

5 NT167176 Continue SE to pick up a fence and tumbledown old drystone wall that run side by side. Don’t try to descend south immediately from the summit of Lochcraig Head as there are dangerously steep crags above the head of Loch Skeen. Instead, follow the fence and wall as they more gradually bend south and down a steep, grassy slope safely to the east of the crags. Loch

Skeen emerges below on the right from its deep hollow in the hills. At the foot of the slope continue along a rough boggy path by the wall, working your way down to the outflow of Loch Skeen.

Here, pick up the well-made tourist path by the Tail Burn and follow it back to the starting point at the National Trust car park.