3 Girls On The Megget Reservoir

Another great day Paddleboarding, this time with my 2 friends Lucy and Wendy on the Megget reservoir nestled in the Southern Uplands of the Scottish borders.

We arrived bright and early to a what turned out to be a beautiful sunny day, interspersed at times with some light cloud and a fair breeze – just to make life a bit more challenging out on the water!

Where is the Megget reservoir?

Opened on the 30th September 1983, the Megget Reservoir has the largest earth dam in Scotland and roughly in a chain of 3 reservoirs and a loch, down in the Southern Uplands of the Scottish borders. St Mary’s Loch, The Megget reservoir, Talla reservoir and the Fruid reservoir.

The best way to approach the Megget is from St Mary’s Loch direction. Taking the A708 then following the signs for the Meggethead which is about half way down St Mary’s Loch.

Alternatively you can approach from the tweedsmuir direction, but this involves a rather hair-raising climb up a single track road with few passing places – definately not suitable for large camper vans – and anyone with a dodgy ticker!

This hazard comes upon you after you have driven the length of Talla reservoir, then forced around a sharp left hand turn to be pushed back in your seat as you start to climb the single track road ahead. The view ahead gives you no clue as to what may be about to crush you from above, as the track winds and turns.

Definitely helps if you have any faith in prayer! My best tip – avoid this way if you can and approach from St Mary’s Loch direction.

Parking at the Megget Reservoir:

There are 4 main parking bays where you can drive virtually to the waterside. They are positioned just off the road that runs alongside the reservoir called Craigierig, Hunterhill, Cramalt & Linghope.

Parking is free and quite ample even for vans and campers, and there are even (occasional) toilet facilities at the Linghope parking area, at the southern end of the reservoir as you drive towards Talla.

An added bonus for camper drivers is that at present there seems to be no restrictions on overnight parking – an increasing rarity in todays world!

Out on the Megget water:

What a fantastic day we had. For once the weather was almost perfect except for a stiff breeze that picked up as the day went on. Not enough to ruin the experience, but certainly enough to challenge and tighten up the ‘chicken wings’ on the arms!

We all started off by heading across from Linghope where we had parked, toward a small feeder stream on the opposite bank called Sheilhope burn.

This was an amazing experience because as we neared the small inlet the water calmed, and the Paddleboards just seem to be drawn into the bay without paddling at all.

The water became still and calm so we relaxed for a while before paddling alongside the reservoir toward the much larger inlet of the Winterhope burn which was about a 20 minute paddle away.

At this inlet we discovered a much more dramatic scene with a raging torrent of water tumbling down through large boulders, which created dark pools and waterfall effects.

My husband who is a keen fly-fisher was blown away by the spot and insisted on trying it out in a Kayak next time we go down to the Megget.

This was a great place to disembark and do a little exploring up the river on foot.

It also gave my friend Wendy a chance to show off her new Paddleboard trainers (which cost a small fortune). Apparently a collaboration between the brand ‘RED’ and Clarks shoes.

I have to admit she had the advantage as Lucy and I only had Paddleboard socks on, which were a little too thin on the unforgiving sharp stones!

Wendy on the other hand with her super-duper trainers was able to skip up the riverbed without a problem – so advantage Wendy!

I might have to consider a pair for myself (maybe a Christmas present suggestion for my hubby…)

After gadding about enjoying the stream and the calm of the tiny bay, it was time to head back to the opposite side of the reservoir and the coffee!

As it turned out, this was easier said than done as a brisk breeze had sprung up that was determined to keep us parted from our coffee and chocolate biscuits!

So it was an exhausting paddle back again against the elements, but satisfying nevertheless.

Bottom line? It was another great day out on the paddleboard – and NO midges! Scenery was fantastic, company excellent, and overall – just food for the soul.

Back to work on Monday though…