Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the car park by Bruce's Stone on the north shore of Loch Trool, the waymarked Merrick Trail climbs by a path above the Buchan Burn and passes close to Culsharg bothy. It rises through forestry onto open hill and up the ridge to Benyellary (719 m), then runs along the narrow connecting ridge called the Neive of the Spit and climbs to the summit of the Merrick (843 m), where a trig pillar stands in a large cairn. The return is the same way.
It is 12.8 km there and back with 850 m of ascent; allow about 6 hours. The grade is Hard: a long, steady climb of over 700 m on a path that becomes rougher on the upper hill.
The upper hill is high open ground with no shelter, and the weather changes quickly; in low cloud the broad ridge is easy to lose, so carry a map and compass.
The Bruce's Stone car park is free, according to Forestry and Land Scotland, and has no toilets: the nearest public toilets and café are about 3 miles back along the road at Glentrool. No station is near; the nearest, Barrhill, is about 19 km away.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- The Merrick is the highest hill in the Southern Uplands and the high point of Galloway Forest Park
- Bruce's Stone, a short walk from the car park, commemorates Robert the Bruce's victory over an English force at Loch Trool in 1307, according to Forestry and Land Scotland
- The path is the waymarked Merrick Trail, which climbs through forestry and over open hill to the ridge via Benyellary
- The ridge between Benyellary and the Merrick is the Neive of the Spit
Summits on the way
- Benyellary 719 m · passed close by
- Merrick 843 m · passed close by
Getting there
Start: Bruce's Stone car park, Loch Trool · Free parking. 55.09297, -4.48406
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Bruce's Stone car park: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.