Girnwood Loch

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Roxburghshire

Scotland

Girnwood Loch

Eildon Quaw Shallow glen now filled with a series of ponds. — Eildon Quaw Credit: Richard Webb

Girnwood Loch is a picturesque freshwater lake located in Roxburghshire, Scotland. Nestled amidst rolling hills and lush greenery, it is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers. Spanning an area of approximately 10 acres, the loch is a serene and tranquil retreat that offers stunning views and a diverse range of flora and fauna.

The loch is surrounded by a mixture of deciduous and coniferous woodland, providing a habitat for various bird species and small mammals. It is known for its rich biodiversity, with a variety of plants and wildflowers thriving in the surrounding marshland.

The water in Girnwood Loch is crystal clear and supports a healthy population of fish, making it a favored spot for anglers. Fishing enthusiasts can try their luck at catching species such as brown trout and pike.

The loch also provides a peaceful environment for recreational activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Visitors can rent equipment from nearby establishments and explore the calm waters while enjoying the surrounding natural beauty.

For those seeking a tranquil walk, there is a well-maintained path that circles the loch, providing opportunities for leisurely strolls and birdwatching. The path is accessible for all abilities and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Overall, Girnwood Loch is a hidden gem in Roxburghshire, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and recreational opportunities make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a serene retreat.

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Girnwood Loch Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.400411/-3.004525 or Grid Reference NT3612. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Eildon Quaw Shallow glen now filled with a series of ponds.

Eildon Quaw

Shallow glen now filled with a series of ponds.

Main Road, Maryswood A privately managed part of Craik Forest. The road is occasionally used but grassy. No variety in tree age, suggests that this was planted later than the Forestry Commission holdings nearby.
The roads are signed and the names appear on the 1:25 000 maps.

Main Road, Maryswood

A privately managed part of Craik Forest. The road is occasionally used but grassy. No variety in tree age, suggests that this was planted later than the Forestry Commission holdings nearby. The roads are signed and the names appear on the 1:25 000 maps.

Thinning, Sitka plantation Inside the Sitka plantations of Maryswood. The square is entirely forest, and quite hard to access from the Main Road. Fortunately the trees are currently quite old, and it is easy to walk through the forest, a rarity with sitka spruce. I spent a lot of time seeking an area light enough and I hope the gloom of the forest comes across.
The forest has been thinned and there are a series of these lanes running parallel through the trees.

Thinning, Sitka plantation

Inside the Sitka plantations of Maryswood. The square is entirely forest, and quite hard to access from the Main Road. Fortunately the trees are currently quite old, and it is easy to walk through the forest, a rarity with sitka spruce. I spent a lot of time seeking an area light enough and I hope the gloom of the forest comes across. The forest has been thinned and there are a series of these lanes running parallel through the trees.

Maryswood Inside the sitka, about 200m away from the road. Little light reaches the forest floor.

Maryswood

Inside the sitka, about 200m away from the road. Little light reaches the forest floor.

Girnway. Craik Forest Named road on Cowbush Hill, but little sign of traffic. Do the trees all have addresses?

Girnway. Craik Forest

Named road on Cowbush Hill, but little sign of traffic. Do the trees all have addresses?

Cowbush Hill Covered in commercial sitka plantations. The road is signed as Craikway.

Cowbush Hill

Covered in commercial sitka plantations. The road is signed as Craikway.

Hoscote Burn An area of younger trees, planted when the fashion has moved towards not crowding watercourses with trees. The view shows some of the moorland and rough grazing in the square which is not all forestry.

Hoscote Burn

An area of younger trees, planted when the fashion has moved towards not crowding watercourses with trees. The view shows some of the moorland and rough grazing in the square which is not all forestry.

Hoscote Burn The burn, running through a large area without conifers. This reduced acidification of the water and silting. A lot of the square is outwith Craig Forest and some of the unplanted parts can be seen.

Hoscote Burn

The burn, running through a large area without conifers. This reduced acidification of the water and silting. A lot of the square is outwith Craig Forest and some of the unplanted parts can be seen.

Young trees, Quarry Rig Hard to get at this square, deep vegetation and blanket forestry. The paths on the maps do not exist on the ground, they probably predate the trees and the OS have forgotten to take them off the map.
This is a second generation planting by the Forestry Commission.

Young trees, Quarry Rig

Hard to get at this square, deep vegetation and blanket forestry. The paths on the maps do not exist on the ground, they probably predate the trees and the OS have forgotten to take them off the map. This is a second generation planting by the Forestry Commission.

Girnwood Loch Shallow lochan in a large wet clearing.

Girnwood Loch

Shallow lochan in a large wet clearing.

The Girnway, Girnwood Loch The land here has only recently suffered the planting of sitka. The trees are still young. Fortunately the area around the loch has been left alone.

The Girnway, Girnwood Loch

The land here has only recently suffered the planting of sitka. The trees are still young. Fortunately the area around the loch has been left alone.

Forest, Girnwood Hill Planting here is restricted to a strip alongside a road. Most of the land is rough grazing for sheep and cattle.

Forest, Girnwood Hill

Planting here is restricted to a strip alongside a road. Most of the land is rough grazing for sheep and cattle.

The Burnway Track running through a narrow part of Craik Forest. There is the site of a roadstone quarry on the left.
This part of the forest is maintained by the Hoscote Woods Estate.

The Burnway

Track running through a narrow part of Craik Forest. There is the site of a roadstone quarry on the left. This part of the forest is maintained by the Hoscote Woods Estate.

Rough grazing, Girnwood Recently grazed by cattle.

Rough grazing, Girnwood

Recently grazed by cattle.

Girnwood Hill Rough grazing, the forest is on the other side. Used for cattle and sheep.

Girnwood Hill

Rough grazing, the forest is on the other side. Used for cattle and sheep.

Forest edge The Burnway, a road running through the narrow plantation can just be seen.

Forest edge

The Burnway, a road running through the narrow plantation can just be seen.

Rigway, Lornaswood Forest road, named and signed as usual in this area.

Rigway, Lornaswood

Forest road, named and signed as usual in this area.

Road sign, Lornaswood The forest roads are often named and signed.

Road sign, Lornaswood

The forest roads are often named and signed.

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Girnwood Loch is located at Grid Ref: NT3612 (Lat: 55.400411, Lng: -3.004525)

Unitary Authority: The Scottish Borders

Police Authority: The Lothians and Scottish Borders

What 3 Words

///scooters.breakaway.tabloid. Near Teviothead, Scottish Borders

Nearby Locations

Girnwood Loch Girnwood Hill

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