Walking Britain Dumfries and Galloway Walk
Merrick from Glen Trool
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer 318 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer 318 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 77 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 77 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
Walk Route Description
Click thumbnails for larger images.
Despite being the highest summit in the Southern Uplands of Scotland, an ascent of Merrick is not difficult. The start is at the large car park (grid ref. NX415804) above Loch Trool which provides "water interest" in a glen often compared with the Trossachs.
The route to Merrick is well signposted and goes off north opposite Bruce's stone. The next few miles provide some of the finest scenery to be enjoyed in the Southern Uplands although it must be stressed that it is not highland in character having its own qualities and charm.
The initial section of the route follows a good path with the Buchan Burn on your right. There are good retrospective views back across the Glen as you gradually gain height. After negotiating a stile, take care to follow the higher route. This leads through the forest to reach the ruined cottage at Culsharg. From here a path follows the right hand side of a dyke by the burn. This leads without problem to the summit of Benyellary, which is marked by a cairn.
The continuation takes you onto Merrick across a broad col known as the "Neive of the Spit". Underfoot the ground is grassy and despite appearances the summit of Merrick with its large cairn is soon reached. In poor visibility do check on the map as there is some steep ground between the two summits and this needs to be avoided.
Merrick's summit offers a superb view resulting from its height and location. The return route follows that used for the ascent although there are other options that can be devised if you are a competent map reader.
Other walks nearby
Walk 2068 Maxwell's Otter and Monreith Beach - easy - 6.0 miles/9.8 km
Walk 2658 The Machars Peninsula - St Ninian's Cave - easy - 2.0 miles/3.3 km
Walk 3316 Rockcliffe to Kippford - easy - 3.0 miles/4.9 km
Walk 3290 Rockcliffe to Sandyhills - easy/mod - 5.0 miles/8.1 km
Walk 1718 Mull of Galloway circular - easy - 6.0 miles/9.8 km
Walk 2135 Camps Reservoir circular - easy - 5.8 miles/9.4 km
Walk 2050 The Crown of Scotland - moderate - 9.0 miles/14.6 km
Walk 2035 Hart Fell via Hartfell Spa - moderate - 7.2 miles/11.7 km
Walk 3552 Grune Point from Silloth - easy - 4.7 miles/7.6 km
Walk 3752 Tinto from Wiston (southern approach) - moderate - 4.2 miles/6.8 km
Recommended Books & eBooks
The National Trails
This inspirational guidebook looks at each of the UK's 19 National Trails, with information that allows ease of comparison and contrast, inspiring you to find out more and to take up a long-distance challenge. Some Trails are short and easy, others much longer, many have strong themes - they may follow a coastline, or traverse ranges of hills.
More information
Map and Compass
An instructive guidebook explaining map and compass techniques, to help readers enhance their outdoor experiences. Whether you are experienced in map-reading, or have never used a compass before, this guidebook will sharpen your skills and have you exploring new areas in no time. There are also tips for GPS and digital mapping technologies.
More information
