NX4285 : North Face of the Merrick
Strenuous mountain walk

Merrick

843m Elevation
705m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NX4285 : North Face of the Merrick

G Laird Photo source

Overview

Merrick, 843 m, is the highest summit in southern Scotland. This Corbett in the Galloway Hills is usually climbed from Bruce’s Stone above Loch Trool, crossing Benyellary and the Neive of the Spit. A longer circuit explores the remote lochs to the east.

Merrick

Overview

Merrick rises to 843 m in the Galloway Hills and is the highest summit in southern Scotland. The summit is marked by a trig point in a stone shelter. Its open slopes overlook the surrounding ridges, forests and remote lochs.

From Bruce’s Stone via Benyellary

From Bruce’s Stone car park at NX414803, follow the Merrick Trail above Buchan Burn and past Culsharg. Continue through the forestry and climb onto Benyellary, then cross the Neive of the Spit to Merrick. Retrace the route to the car park. The full return is 13.25 km with 875 m of ascent; allow 4–5 hours. Lower prepared paths give way to rougher ridge walking.

Loch Valley and Loch Enoch circuit

From Bruce’s Stone car park at NX414803, follow the Gairland Burn approach to Loch Valley and Loch Neldricken, then pass west of Loch Arron towards the southwestern corner of Loch Enoch. Climb the pathless Redstone Rigg to Merrick and return over the Neive of the Spit and Benyellary, descending past Culsharg to the car park. The complete circuit is 15 km with 881 m of ascent; allow 5–6 hours. Expect exceptionally boggy ground, faint paths and demanding navigation.

Access and facilities

Bruce’s Stone car park is free. Reach it along the road signed from north of Glentrool village. The nearest café and public toilets are at Glentrool Forest Café, three miles back down the road; toilets open during café hours. No public transport runs directly to the walk start. Check Forestry and Land Scotland’s current notices before travelling and follow any forestry signs or diversions.

Mountain conditions

The upper slopes are open to wind and poor weather. Carry suitable mountain clothing, a map and compass, and a backup means of navigation. Mist makes route-finding harder, especially on the pathless approach from Loch Enoch. Snow and ice require winter hillwalking preparation. Check for ticks after walking and take care around burns and lochs.

Landscape and history

Heat from Galloway’s granite intrusion hardened surrounding greywacke into hornfels, forming the surrounding ring of hills that includes Merrick. Ice later shaped the landscape and moved granite boulders onto these ridges. Near the start, Bruce’s Stone commemorates Robert the Bruce and the Battle of Trool in 1307.

Nearby summits

Benyellary, 719 m, lies on the normal Merrick approach. Corserine, 814 m, is a separate summit on the Rhinns of Kells to the east.

Explore routes near Merrick

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Loch Trool: Full Loch and Oak Woodland Circuit

10.1 km ~4h Hard

View route

Glentrool Water of Trool and Spout Head Trail

7.3 km ~3h Moderate

View route

Carrick Forest Drive: Stinchar Bridge to Loch Doon

10.7 km ~3h 30m Moderate

View route

Wood of Cree Waterfalls and Scrubland Circuit

3.5 km ~2h Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Merrick via Benyellary from Bruce’s Stone (out and back)

From Bruce’s Stone car park at NX414803, follow the Merrick Trail above Buchan Burn and past Culsharg. Continue through the forestry and climb onto Benyellary, then cross the Neive of the Spit to Merrick. Retrace the route to the car park. The full return is 13.25 km with 875 m of ascent; allow 4–5 hours. Lower prepared paths give way to rougher ridge walking.

13.3 km Strenuous mountain walk

Merrick via Loch Valley and Loch Enoch (circuit)

From Bruce’s Stone car park at NX414803, follow the Gairland Burn approach to Loch Valley and Loch Neldricken, then pass west of Loch Arron towards the southwestern corner of Loch Enoch. Climb the pathless Redstone Rigg to Merrick and return over the Neive of the Spit and Benyellary, descending past Culsharg to the car park. The complete circuit is 15 km with 881 m of ascent; allow 5–6 hours. Expect exceptionally boggy ground, faint paths and demanding navigation.

15 km Challenging mountain walk
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Corbett Simm Donald High Hills of Britain Historic County Top (pre-1889) Administrative County Top (1889 to 1996) Current County/UA Top

Elevation

843m

2,766 ft

Prominence

705m

Coordinates

55.1393, -4.4684

NX427855

OS Map

77

Explorer: 318

At the Summit

Trig point in a stone shelter at NX 42760 85547, on Merrick’s 843 m summit.

Terrain & Geology

Prepared lower hill paths forest sections rough ridge path and open summit slopes; exceptionally boggy paths and pathless upper ground on the Loch Valley circuit

Merrick forms part of the ring of hills around Galloway’s granite heartland. Heat from the granite intrusion altered surrounding greywacke into harder hornfels. Glaciation shaped the landscape and carried granite boulders onto the surrounding ridges.

Views & Scenery

The summit overlooks the Galloway ridges, forests and remote lochs. In clear conditions, views extend towards Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

History & Heritage

Historical Significance

Bruce’s Stone near the walk start overlooks Loch Trool and commemorates Robert the Bruce and the Battle of Trool in 1307.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Bruce’s Stone car park above Loch Trool, NX414803. Parking is free. Follow the road signed for Bruce’s Stone from north of Glentrool village; the car park is four miles along this road. Use designated spaces without obstructing access.

Public Transport

There is no public transport directly to Bruce’s Stone car park. Arrange onward transport to the walk start and the return journey in advance.

Nearby Facilities

The nearest public toilets, including accessible facilities, and café are at Glentrool Forest Café, three miles back along the road from Bruce’s Stone. Toilets open during café opening hours. Carry food and water for the mountain walk.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • The open upper slopes are exposed to wind and changing weather; navigate carefully in mist.
  • The Loch Valley circuit includes exceptionally boggy ground, faint paths and a pathless ascent of Redstone Rigg.
  • Take care around burns and lochs, check for ticks after walking and follow any forestry signs or diversions.

Seasonal Hazards

Snow and ice can make the upper slopes a winter mountain undertaking. Check the mountain forecast and daylight before setting out, and carry clothing and equipment suited to the conditions.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Merrick?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Merrick through the maps

Are there other walkers around Merrick?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Merrick search or of course create your own walk for Merrick

Can I organise a walk to Merrick?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Merrick.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Merrick?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Merrick here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

Merrick location map

Grid reference: NX427855

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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