The quick route round two Galloway Corbetts

[Johnny Corbett]

I wanted to do both these Corbetts and Donalds in the one outing, including the new Donald but didn't want to retrace my steps back along the ridge. All the books and sites i read gave them as seperate walks and most reports were also singles with a few retracing steps or using two cars. After studying the map i decided to head to Kirriereoch and see how far i could drive up the track, i managed to get as far as the quarry and set off from there. It was intention to pick up the track near Kirriemore Hill on my return but i managed to get on a track close to the Knocklach Burn and followed it back to the car, walking most of the track i'd driven up earlier in the day. Back to the route, i took the track which leads to the Braes of Mullachgeny and a stone wall, which has to be climbed before heading over the rough ground and up to Benyellany, a new Donald. Although crossing over the gound was uneven and boggy in bit, deer paths helped at times. From Benyellany i followed the path to Merrick continueing to Shalloch on Minnoch via the two Donalds, Kirriereoch Hill and Tarfessock. I stopped for lunch just before the climb to the last Corbett and stopped on the ridge behind some of the large boulders for shelter at times due to the strong wind. From Shalloch on Minnoch i made my way down the south west ridge and as said earlier caught the track back to the start. The walk took me 6hrs 15mins and could be shortened if not interested in the new Donald, far quicker than returning back the way you came if you start at the usual points.

Benyellany from the start

Craignaw

Merrick

Merrick summit

Loch Doon

Corserine

Kirriereoch and Shalloch on Minnoch

Merrick

Kirriereoch summit

Tarfessock and Shalloch on Minnoch

Loch Macaterick

Rocks make good shelters

Tarfessock

Tarfessock summit

Shalloch on Minnoch summit

A look back

View from summit

View to Ailsa Craig

Didn't like driving under this

Back at the car

The quarry

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[gmr82]

Good walk there JC combining the both of them. Will keep the route in mind for future, pity its such a long drive (timewise) for me

[PeteR]

Nice one JC

Good to see there are views from Merrick I'll definitely have to return one day, and this looks like a good circuit to try

[kevsbald]

You had a great day for it - a splungefest was how I remembered Shalloch on Minnoch although fine higher up.

[rockhopper]

Nice one, JC - must keep this in mind for when I do eventually head southwards - cheers

[Johnny Corbett]

Good walk there JC combining the both of them. Will keep the route in mind for future, pity its such a long drive (timewise) for me

Thanks, not as far as you think though, 2hrs from Livingston

Nice one JC

Good to see there are views from Merrick I'll definitely have to return one day, and this looks like a good circuit to try

Thanks Pete, these must be your local hills

You had a great day for it - a splungefest was how I remembered Shalloch on Minnoch although fine higher up.

Cheers all good bar the wind

Nice one, JC - must keep this in mind for when I do eventually head southwards - cheers

Thanks, i reckon you could get a good circuit round the Galloway Hills with an overnight camp

[Collaciotach]

Never been in these hills passed thru plenty.

Interesting mix of Gaelic ,Welsh and Scots in the names . Grand report you do not half get about JC