Trail Highlights

Historic estates and grand houses. Natural landmarks – and more.

Glentress Forest

Traquair Estate

The Glen

Scotland’s Great Trails

The Three Brethren

Battle of Philiphaugh

Bowhill & Buccleuch

Captain’s Road

St Mary’s Loch & Loch of the Lowes

The largest natural loch in the Scottish Borders, St Mary’s Loch and its smaller neighbour, Loch of the Lowes, are a magnet for sailing and paddlesports enthusiasts. But the area also has strong literary connections, especially with James Hogg (1770-1835) – known as the Ettrick Shepherd. Having written a series of successful novels, he was best known for what was considered his masterpiece, Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner, published in 1824. Unveiled in 1860, the imposing James Hogg Monument overlooks the two lochs and his favourite watering hole, Tibbie Shiels Inn.

Iron-Age Meldons

Eddleston Water Path

Further info

Like Tibbie Shiels, Hogg is buried in the old kirkyard at Ettrick, close to where he was born. In addition to the memorial statue overlooking St Mary’s Loch and Loch of the Lowes, there is also a permanent exhibition celebrating his life at Aikwood Tower, near Selkirk.

Image credits: Ian Linton