The Merrick, from Loch Trool

Summary

The Merrick is the highest summit in Southern Scotland and lies at the heart of the Galloway ranges. This popular ascent from Loch Trool provides the easiest route up to gain a panorama that includes much of the Galloway Forest as well as across to Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Good hill path to upper slopes, then bare earth ridge path.

Deer Stalking information

Forestry and Land Scotland. No stalking issues.

Getting there

Start

Car park near Bruce's Stone.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NX414803

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 13.25km / 8.25 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 875m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Corbett / Donald: The Merrick

Mapping and GPS

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Explorer 318 - Galloway North

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Walk Description

User reports (19)

Stage 1

Park at the car park near the end of the public road up Glen Trool, and continue along the last 100m of road on foot. A short detour to the right is worthwhile to visit Bruce's Stone. This is a cairn erected in 1929 to commemorate a battle in which Robert the Bruce - with just 300 men - defeated an English army of 1500 heavy cavalry by luring them to the steep banks of Loch Trool. This act of guerilla warfare was a first shot in the long campaign the Bruce fought before securing the crown of an independent Scotland. The cairn has a great outlook across the loch.

Stage 2

Return to the road and then take the path that slopes diagonally uphill, signed as the 'Merrick Trail'. The path climbs high above the Buchan Burn - some noisy waterfalls below it remaining out of sight. Eventually the burn catches up with the path as you go through a kissing gate. Further on a sign indicates where to turn left to climb above the burn once more, before the path plunges into a dark forestry plantation.

Stage 3

Passing out into the open again, the route heads towards the bothy at Kilsharg. From here the path climbs steeply through the trees, soon emerging on a forestry track. Turn right, crossing a bridge, and then left again back onto a path to resume the ascent.

Stage 4

Eventually the trees are left behind; the path heads gently up open ground and goes through a kissing gate in a fence. Finally the prepared path becomes a rough trod up the ridge to the right of a wall on the steady climb up to Benyellary. The excellent views looking back include both Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man - providing a good excuse for a break. The top of Benyellary itself is marked by a cairn to the right of the path.

Stage 5

The Merrick itself is now revealed. Continue along the narrower connecting ridge known as the Neive of the Spit. After crossing the lowest point the path cuts up the open slope aiming directly for the summit, which is marked by a whitewashed trig point in a massive tumbledown cairn.

Stage 6

The views, as might be expected, are superb, offering a great overview of the whole area, especially the wild and empty country that stretches away to the east and north. For most people, it is best to retrace your steps and return the same way. More experienced hillwalkers - who don't mind pathless sections and very boggy paths - can take an alternative route via Loch Valley.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Newton Stewart Hotels

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