The Moffat Hills
the Devil's Beeftub, near Moffat
the A708 near Moffat
Merlin's Cave, the Devil's Beeftub, the Grey Mare's Tail - see mysterious and marvellous sights by going walking in the Moffat Hills.
Nestled among some of the most stunning hills in southern Scotland, the town of Moffat is the perfect base for some breathtaking walks. There's something here to attract walkers of all levels, with natural wonders such as the strange Devil's Beeftub and the impressive Grey Mare's Tail, which is easily explored from the road. The highest of the peaks here is White Coomb at a mighty 2,696 ft with the popular Hartfell close behind, both boasting views that stretch for many miles on a clear day.
The stories of the Moffat Hills are as interesting and rewarding as the walks themselves. Most enigmatic is that of King Arthur's Merlin who is rumoured to have retreated to Hartfell following defeat in battle in 573.
Signs of his presence can be found in the names of the surrounding features. Arthur's Seat is the most obvious, though is less well known than its Edinburgh counterpart, while the mysterious Merlin's Cave can be found just below the ridge on Hartfell.
In more recent times, the Moffat Hills were a refuge for the fierce Border Rievers, a group of cattle rustlers who hid their stolen booty in the depths of the Devil's Beeftub. This natural feature was once described by Walter Scott ‘as if four hills were laying their heads together, to shut out daylight from the dark hollow space between them. A damned deep, black, blackguard looking abyss’.
Most walkers take the time to visit the cascading Grey Mare's Tail, a spectacular natural waterfall that you can see from the main road, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can climb carefully up to get close to its source, Loch Skeen. The dramatic sheer drops along the sides of the fall makes caution essential, but it is well worth the effort.
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