Glen
Glen Trool
The finest glen in the Southern Uplands — Galloway Forest Park, Robert the Bruce's guerrilla victory, and granite hills above a long loch.
- Corbetts
- 1
- Grahams
- 3
- Bothies
- 2
- Highest peak
- Merrick (843m)
Glen Trool is the most dramatic glen in southern Scotland — a long loch set in granite hills within the Galloway Forest Park, the largest forest park in the UK and a Dark Sky Park. The glen is reached on a single-track road from Newton Stewart via Bargrennan. Loch Trool sits below the Merrick (843m), the highest hill in southern Scotland, and is bounded by Mullwharchar and Benyellary.
The glen has a significant historical association: in 1307, Robert the Bruce's small force ambushed an English army near the head of the loch, rolling boulders down the hillside above Bruce's Stone — a granite boulder marking the site of the victory. The stone is accessible on a short walk from the car park.
The road in
Single-track road etiquette
Pull into passing places to let oncoming vehicles pass. Don't park in passing places. If a faster vehicle is behind you, pull over and let them past. Do not reverse at speed — wait in a passing place.
Parking1 spot
Bruce's Stone car park
30 cars
£3— Forestry Scotland honesty box
Main car park for Glen Trool walks. Toilets available seasonally. Start point for Merrick and lochside walks.
Hills from Glen Trool1 Corbetts · 3 Grahams · 8 Donalds
Bothies in the glen2 in range
Gravel cycling1 route nearby
What's in the glen
Bruce's Stone
Bruce's Stone is a large granite boulder above Loch Trool commemorating Robert the Bruce's victory at the Battle of Glen Trool in 1307. The battle was a guerrilla ambush — Bruce's small force rolled boulders down the hillside onto an advancing English force. The stone was erected in 1929 on the 600th anniversary of Bruce's death. A short path from the car park leads to the stone.
Loch Trool
A long, narrow loch set in granite hills within the Galloway Forest Park. Loch Trool is the focal point of the glen — its dark water and forested shores are the quintessential Galloway landscape. The lochside path gives an easy 6km circuit.
Buchan Burn waterfall
A series of falls on the Buchan Burn as it descends from the Merrick massif into the head of Loch Trool. Best viewed from the lochside path. Good in spate after rain.
Our take
Glen Trool is what you go to Galloway for. The Merrick from the glen is a good Corbett with excellent views on clear days across to Ireland. The loch setting is genuinely beautiful — the granite and the dark forest water is unlike anything further north. Dark sky quality here is exceptional in winter.
History
The Battle of Glen Trool in March or April 1307 was a turning point in Robert the Bruce's guerrilla campaign to retake Scotland. After his defeat at Methven (1306) and a winter of hiding — possibly in the cave on Rathlin Island — Bruce returned to southwest Scotland with a small force. At Glen Trool, his men ambushed an English force sent by Aymer de Valence by rolling boulders down the hillside above the loch, then attacking from both sides.
The victory was small in military terms but significant in morale. Bruce went on to defeat Valence at Loudoun Hill weeks later, beginning a series of successes that culminated at Bannockburn in 1314. The 1929 granite boulder above the loch commemorates the battle on the 600th anniversary of Bruce's death. The Galloway hills were important to Bruce because he held lands in the southwest and had support from local families.
Practical
- Mobile signal
- No signal beyond Bargrennan.
- Midges
- Moderate(3/5)
- Public transport
- Bus to Newton Stewart from Dumfries. No public transport into the glen — taxi or car required.
- Dogs
- On lead — livestock or ground-nesting birds present.
Map
Hills (green), bothies (brown), parking (blue), wild swimming (light blue), landmarks (dark red).
Scotland outdoor updates
Route guides, condition reports and seasonal picks — once a month, no noise.
Glen Trool — common questions
- What's the road into Glen Trool like?
- single-track with passing places. Allow extra time for the drive in.
- Can I take a motorhome or campervan into Glen Trool?
- Not recommended. Glen Trool has narrow sections, tight turns, or limited passing space that make it difficult for motorhomes and large campervans. Park at the road end of a wider valley and continue on foot.
- Are there midges in Glen Trool?
- Glen Trool's midge rating is 3/5 — significant from late May to September. Sheltered, humid evenings are the worst; high wind and the high tops are safest. Carry Smidge and a head net from May onwards.
- Can I wild camp in Glen Trool?
- Wild camping in Scotland is legal under the Land Reform Act 2003 on most unenclosed land, subject to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Avoid enclosed agricultural ground, camp in small numbers, and leave no trace. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs Camping Management Zones (which restrict wild camping in marked areas March-September) do not apply to Glen Trool.
- Can I get to Glen Trool without a car?
- Bus to Newton Stewart from Dumfries. No public transport into the glen — taxi or car required.