Ring of St Mary's Loch
Scottish Borders
St Mary's Loch lies in the bare, rounded hills at the head of the Yarrow valley and is the largest natural loch in the Scottish Borders, about three miles long and up to 46 metres deep. Dogs get shingle beaches to paddle in for almost the whole route, though this is sheep country and a lead is needed on most of the hillside sections. The writer James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, has a monument near the start. This circuit of about 12.2km begins at the car park between St Mary's Loch and the Loch of the Lowes, crosses the bridge by the former Tibbie Shiels Inn and follows the Southern Upland Way along the eastern shore. It crosses to the north side at the far end and returns along an old drove road past St Mary's kirkyard. There is around 212 metres of climbing on footpaths, grassy tracks and a tarmac lane, with a final stretch on the verge of the A708.
This dog friendly walk has water on hand almost the whole way, with plenty of shingle edges where a dog can drink or paddle. This is sheep country, though, and flocks graze the open hillsides and the drove road, so expect to keep your dog on a lead for much of the circuit, and in spring for lambing. The final section along the A708 verge needs a short lead too, as traffic moves fast. There is almost no shade. The seasonal Glen Cafe is next to the car park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 12.2 km (7.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 4 hr
- Walk Type
- Lake, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Seasonal Glen Cafe beside the car park; no other facilities on the circuit.
- Parking
- Car park and picnic area at the south end of St Mary's Loch, beside the A708 near Tibbie Shiels.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Ring of St Mary's Loch, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Crofthead Steading
Sleeps 8 · 3 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £878 / 7 nights
The Old Post Office - Hawick
Sleeps 2 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £457 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in Scottish BordersFrequently Asked Questions
Is Ring of St Mary's Loch dog friendly?
Yes, and it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The loch is beside you nearly all the way, so there is plenty of water to drink and paddle in, and the Southern Upland Way path along the shore is easy to follow. The score reflects the sheep that graze the hillsides and drove road, the lack of shade and the roadside walk at the end.
Can dogs be off lead at Ring of St Mary's Loch?
Only in short stretches. The hills around St Mary's Loch are sheep farms, and sheep can be on or near the path at any point, so dogs should be on a lead whenever stock is around and throughout the spring lambing season. Where the shore path is clear of animals, a dog with sharp recall might have a little freedom. Use a short lead on the A708 verge.
What should I know before visiting Ring of St Mary's Loch with my dog?
The full ring is about 12.2km with 212 metres of climbing, so allow around four hours. It is exposed, with little shade, and the weather changes quickly in these hills. The return includes a stretch on the verge of the A708, where traffic is fast. The Glen Cafe at the car park is seasonal. You can shorten the walk by following the Southern Upland Way along the shore and returning the same way.
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