St Mary's Loch
Lake Largest natural loch in the Scottish Borders
The largest natural loch in the Scottish Borders, near St. Mary’s and Traquair; anglers and walkers visit for trout fishing and lakeshore trails that link to Border hills.
St Mary’s Loch is a freshwater loch in the Scottish Borders and is the largest natural loch in that region. It lies within the Yarrow valley and is a well-known local landscape feature.
The loch offers open water framed by rolling hills and moorland; shoreline paths and small car parks provide access for walking, picnics, birdwatching and angling. A number of local walking routes run along and around the loch, and small boats and kayaks are commonly used on the water in summer.
The loch is a glacially formed basin that has been used for freshwater fishing and local recreation for centuries. It has long been part of the rural landholdings and estate landscapes of the Borders and remains largely undeveloped along its shores.
The loch sits in the Southern Uplands of Scotland in the Yarrow valley, alongside the A708 road that links the area with nearby towns in the Scottish Borders. The surrounding landscape is a mix of moorland, pasture and low hills.
- Shore access: A promenade and track run along the loch shore on the A708 road, offering accessible views and picnic spots.
- Best time: Good season for boating and trout fishing is late spring to early autumn, when weather and water conditions are most favourable.
How to Get to St Mary's Loch #
St Mary’s Loch is accessed via the A708 between Moffat and Selkirk. There are several roadside parking areas and short walkheads along the loch; the loch is a short drive from the M74 motorway and regional towns like Selkirk and Peebles.
Tips for Visiting St Mary's Loch #
- Drive the A708 ('The Road to the Isles') for dramatic views along the loch; parking areas and short trails are located at several roadside pull-outs.
- Combine a visit with nearby walking routes such as St Mary's Loch circular paths and the Southern Upland Way access points.
- Autumn is excellent for photography when the surrounding hills turn russet.
Best Time to Visit St Mary's Loch #
Summer and autumn are the most rewarding times for outdoor activity and scenic driving.
Weather & Climate near St Mary's Loch #
St Mary's Loch's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1541 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (171 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (134 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (161 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (158 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (172 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
