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Devil's Beef Tub

Moffat, Scotland

Where the Border Reivers of the Johnstone clan used to hide their stolen cattle. 

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The Devil's Beef Tub katielou106 (Atlas Obscura User)
The Devil's Beef Tub katielou106 (Atlas Obscura User)
Looking across the valley katielou106 (Atlas Obscura User)
Looking down into the "Devil's Beef Tub" katielou106 (Atlas Obscura User)
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The Devil’s Beef Tub is a dramatic hollow in the hills north of the Scottish town of Moffat. The 150-meter hollow is formed by four hills, Ericstane Hill, Peat Knowle, the Great Hill, and Annanhead Hill.

The name comes from the fact the Border Reivers of the Johnstone Clan once hid stolen cattle in this hollow. These Reivers were referred to by their enemies as “devils.”

The area is beautiful, giving views over the valley below, made all the more atmospheric when the cloud is low and the weather is gloomy.  At these times you can almost imagine the moos of the hidden cattle in the valley below.

Know Before You Go

There is pull in on the side of the A701 from which you can walk to the view point.

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katielou106
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Published
June 23, 2023
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