Grey Mare's Tail, Kilpatrick Hills

Grey Mare’s Tail is a waterfall in the Kilpatrick Hills of West Dunbartonshire. The hills form part of the southern edge of the Highlands where steep slopes and heavy rain create fast streams. These streams plunge over rock edges to form waterfalls, and Scotland has more than 150 of them. The name ‘Grey Mare’s Tail’ comes from the long, narrow shape of the fall that resembles a horse’s tail. Other Scottish falls use Gaelic words like ‘eas’ for waterfall or Scots words like ‘spout’ for a narrow drop. The fall is recognised as one of Scotland’s highest single-drop waterfalls. Lists of tall falls can be hard to compare because some measure the biggest single drop while others add several smaller drops together. Grey Mare’s Tail stands near the top when measured by the single largest drop. The surrounding hills are made of hard volcanic rock that the water has worn into smooth ledges over many centuries. Visitors often see the fall after rain when the flow is strongest and the spray rises high. A path leads from the car park up the hillside to viewpoints above the fall. The track climbs gently through heather and grass before reaching a fence that keeps walkers at a safe distance. From the fence the full length of the fall can be seen as it drops into a deep plunge pool below. On quiet days the only sounds are the rush of water and the wind in the grass. The Kilpatrick Hills offer wide views across the River Clyde valley to the south and the peaks of the Highlands to the north.