Near Selkirk, Scottish Borders, beside St Mary’s Loch
Loch of the Lowes
Lake
Place photograph
5.5
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.5A smaller neighbouring loch to St Mary’s, shaped by the land carried into it by the Megget Water. A sculpture by the shore marks the point where the loch is expected eventually to be divided in two by sediment.
The Lowes is more than a roadside loch: its changing shoreline, linked waters and the wider Southern Upland landscape give it a sense of a place still being made. Pair a short waterside pause with a walk in nearby March Wood or a longer exploration of the adjoining lochs.
Peaceful · Wild · Big-sky
Find your way
Open mapNear Selkirk, Scottish Borders, beside St Mary’s Loch
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The experience
Come for the open-water setting and the way the Lowes sits within a wider landscape of linked lochs, burns and hills. Keep the visit simple: take in the shore and sculpture, then extend the outing with March Wood or a drive and walk around the neighbouring St Mary’s Loch. Water-based hire is mentioned in the source, but check availability and arrangements before making plans.
Things to do
Find the shoreline sculpture
Look for the sculpture placed by the lochside to mark where sediment is expected eventually to divide the loch.
15–30 minutes
Notice the link between the lochs
The source describes a small bridge across the burn linking Loch of the Lowes and St Mary’s Loch. Check current access before setting out.
Take a quiet pause in March Wood
The source recommends nearby March Wood as a quieter counterpoint to the loch and a place for a picnic. Check access and conditions before visiting.
Explore the neighbouring lochs
Use Loch of the Lowes as one stop in an outing that also takes in St Mary’s Loch; the source describes the pair as a connected day-trip landscape.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Quick shore-side pause
- 01
Visit the lochside and take in the open-water setting.
- 02
Find the sculpture marking the location where sediment is expected eventually to divide the loch.
Half day · Half day
Loch and woodland half day
- 01
Spend time by Loch of the Lowes and look for the shore-side sculpture.
- 02
Continue to nearby March Wood for a quieter woodland stop and picnic, as suggested by the source.
- 03
Check current arrangements for the Glen Café before relying on it for food or drink.
Verified history
The supplied local account describes a sculpture installed by Tweed Forum in 2006 to mark where sediment may eventually divide the loch. It also describes the linked burn and the continuing process of sediment deposition. The source does not provide a detailed chronology for the loch itself.
Hidden details
A loch in the process of changing shape — The source points out that sediment carried into the loch is expected eventually to divide it in two; the shore-side sculpture marks the anticipated dividing point.
The burn between the lochs — A small bridge crosses the burn linking Loch of the Lowes with St Mary’s Loch, making their connection visible on the ground.
When to go
· Check local conditions; no specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.
The local source describes the lochs as rewarding throughout the year and recommends visiting before the nights draw in. It does not specify seasonal wildlife or a best month for Loch of the Lowes.
Check the forecast and local conditions before travelling. The supplied sources do not give site-specific weather or path-condition guidance.
Worth pairing with
St Mary’s Loch
The neighbouring, larger loch is linked to the Lowes by a burn and can be included in a wider outing around the lochs.
March Wood
A nearby woodland described as a quieter counterpoint to the loch and a possible picnic stop.
The Glen Café
A café mentioned near the loch. Check current opening and availability before planning a stop.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the shore-side sculpture marking the point where sediment may eventually divide the loch
- 02
notice the burn linking the Lowes with St Mary’s Loch and the contrast between open water and the nearby wooded slopes.
The story
Landscape change; local literary connections in the surrounding lochs area
Best time to go
All year; the source particularly recommends visiting before the nights draw in, while describing the area as rewarding in every season.
The source recommends visiting before the nights draw in, but says the area has appeal throughout the year. Check local conditions and current facilities before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Couples
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A lochside visit in the Southern Uplands. The supplied source describes responsible access and a car park nearby, but does not confirm current access arrangements or parking details. Check before visiting. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
Check before visiting
Parking
A car park is mentioned near the loch, but its precise location, capacity and current availability are not confirmed. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
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Food & drink
The source mentions the Glen Café nearby; current opening and facilities should be checked before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
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Accessibility
Check before visiting for current path conditions and access arrangements. The available source does not establish step-free access.
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Cost
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Water
Loch
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Loch of the Lowes
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
