Woodland glamping in Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve

Nestled in the Moffat Hills, in Scotland’s Southern Uplands, the frothing waterfall of Grey Mare’s Tail is one of Britain’s highest, plunging around 200 feet (60 meters) from Loch Skeen down into the Moffat Water Valley. Created by glacial erosion over millions of years, the dramatic surrounding landscape is a designated nature reserve where outdoor enthusiasts can summit the peaks of Lochcraig Head and White Coomb for views extending as far as the Lake District over the English border. Wildlife enthusiasts are also drawn here to spot nesting peregrine falcons, feral goats roaming the hills and (with luck) ospreys fishing in the loch. While there are no private campgrounds within the reserve, wild camping is an option for respectful visitors following the Outdoor Access Code, and the Moffat Camping and Caravanning Site offers comfortable facilities a 20 minute drive away.

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Top-rated campgrounds

Nestled in the Moffat Hills, in Scotland’s Southern Uplands, the frothing waterfall of Grey Mare’s Tail is one of Britain’s highest, plunging around 200 feet (60 meters) from Loch Skeen down into the Moffat Water Valley. Created by glacial erosion over millions of years, the dramatic surrounding landscape is a designated nature reserve where outdoor enthusiasts can summit the peaks of Lochcraig Head and White Coomb for views extending as far as the Lake District over the English border. Wildlife enthusiasts are also drawn here to spot nesting peregrine falcons, feral goats roaming the hills and (with luck) ospreys fishing in the loch. While there are no private campgrounds within the reserve, wild camping is an option for respectful visitors following the Outdoor Access Code, and the Moffat Camping and Caravanning Site offers comfortable facilities a 20 minute drive away.

100% (39)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Camping at Cardewlees

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(47)

37 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Carlisle, England

A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall

2. Cleghorn Farm

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(10)

15 units · Tents, Glamping · Lanark, Scotland

*PLEASE NOTE THE CABIN IS AVAILABLE FOR MIDWEEK AND WEEKEND BOOKINGS. CAMPING WILL RETURN IN SPRING 2026.* Cleghorn Farm is a mixed farm just north east of the market town of Lanark. Comprised of 250 acres of fields and woodland and bounded to the south by Mouse Water, it is a beautiful spot to get away from it all without having to leave it all behind if you don't want to. The fields are grazed and cultivated but the woodlands are much as they were at the end of the last ice age with spectacular walks along Cleghorn Glen with the chance to see badgers, bats, deer and all manner of birds among the towering pine and beech trees. The Mouse Water (pronounced moose) tumbles down along the edge of the farm and has some glorious pools for swimming, shallows for paddling and some spectacular water falls before it joins the River Clyde.

3. Esk Yurt

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(5)

1 unit · Glamping · Peebles, Scottish Borders

Adult only yurt glamping in the Scottish Borders with exceptional views, hiking trails, and wild swimming

4. Broom Fisheries Campsite

4 units · Glamping · Dumfries, South Scotland

Luxury caravans ideally situated next to picturesque Scottish fishing lakes

5. Dod Mill Fishing Hut

1 unit · Glamping · Lauder, Scotland

Artistic riverside cabins in the grounds of a 17th-century watermill

6. Ayrshire Airstream

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(2)

1 unit · Glamping · Irvine, Scotland

A seriously comfortable 1978 Airstream, complete with a hot tub, fire pit and its own bar.

Stories from the community

V

Virginia

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Camping at Cardewlees

Lovely location, beautiful views. Comfortable pod and great with enclosed garden for the dog. Good facilities too.

P

Paul

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Cleghorn Farm

The beautiful cabin is in a lovely quiet private space. There are nice views across to the hills particularly when sat by the firepit. Alex and Lauren made us feel very welcome.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Woodland glamping in Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve guide

When to go

Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve is open to visitors all year round. Spring and summer are the best times to visit the Southern Uplands as the weather is typically at its best and daylight hours are long. As with everywhere in Scotland, the summer school holidays draw the biggest number of visitors.

Know before you go

There is a small entry fee, which is paid at the car park (admission is free for National Trust for Scotland members.
Interpretation panels in the car park provide useful visitor information.
The nearest bathroom facilities are five miles away at St Mary’s Loch.
There is no public transit access to the reserve: your own vehicle is essential.
Even in summer, the weather can quickly change. Warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy walking boots are essential.
If wild camping, be sure to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.