Merrick Trail

The Merrick is the highest peak in the Southern Uplands, and this route delivers you to its summit by the classic approach from Glen Trool. The walk begins at Bruce's Stone, a well-known viewpoint above Loch Trool, and climbs steadily onto open hillside, gaining height quickly as the glen falls away below.

The path passes the Bill McDonald Memorial before pushing up to the rounded top of Benyellary, the "hill of the eagle". From here a fine ridge sweeps north across the Neive of the Spit and up to the broad summit of the Merrick itself, where the panorama on a clear day stretches across Galloway, Ayrshire and out to the Firth of Clyde. To the east, the rugged bulk of Bennan (Am Beinnean) rises above the surrounding lochans.

At 6.4 km one way with 784 m of ascent, this is a serious hill day rather than a stroll. The route is linear, so you return by the same path, taking in the views from a fresh angle on the descent back to Bruce's Stone.