Donald · Galloway
Kirriereoch Hill
Kirriereoch sits at the northern end of the Awful Hand, separated from Merrick by a deep narrow col known as the Nieve of the Spit. Its summit is a worn whaleback of weathered granite — the second-highest of the Galloway Hills and unjustly overshadowed by its more famous neighbour.
Quick facts
- Height
- 786.8m/ 2581ft
- Prominence
- 150 m
- Distance
- 14 km
- Ascent
- 645 m
- Time
- 4–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NX420869
- Parking
- NX425865
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 56km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
heather moorland 55% · granite boulders 30% · grass moorland 15%
The classic ascent is from Bruce's Stone over Merrick first, then dropping to the Nieve and pulling up the broad north ridge. From the cairn a thrilling drop to Tarfessock continues the Awful Hand traverse.
Terrain
The Nieve is a narrow grassy spine with a steep drop on the east side. Above lies short heath and bare granite tor. The DPM perimeter fence is your best line in poor weather; otherwise look for the worn boot trail.
In winter
The Nieve becomes a serious proposition in winter when verglas glazes the slabs and a slip on the east face would be unstoppable. Visibility off the Atlantic can collapse without warning — kit for the worst even if Glentrool basks in sun.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 42m
- Edinburgh3h 34m
OS maps: OS Landranger 77
Mobile signal: Moderate. EE unreliable on top; coverage limited in the Galloway interior.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:55
- Sunset
- 21:52
- Civil dawn
- 04:01
- Civil dusk
- 22:46
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Kirriereoch Hill.
Around Kirriereoch Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Kirriereoch Hill — common questions
- How hard is Kirriereoch Hill?
- We grade Kirriereoch Hill at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 14km with 645m of climbing; allow 4-7 hours. Underfoot: The Nieve is a narrow grassy spine with a steep drop on the east side.
- What is Kirriereoch Hill's prominence?
- 150m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Kirriereoch Hill to the next higher ground.
- Where do I park for Kirriereoch Hill?
- Most walkers start from NX425865. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Kirriereoch Hill?
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Kirriereoch Hill. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Kirriereoch Hill dog-friendly?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Kirriereoch Hill?
- Moderate. EE unreliable on top; coverage limited in the Galloway interior.
- Is Kirriereoch Hill safe in winter?
- The Nieve becomes a serious proposition in winter when verglas glazes the slabs and a slip on the east face would be unstoppable. Visibility off the Atlantic can collapse without warning — kit for the worst even if Glentrool basks in sun.
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