Is Merrick a hard climb?

Merrick is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 850m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-5 hours. Ground conditions: Excellent path throughout.

How much drop does Merrick have?

The drop is 705m: measured from the summit of Merrick down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Merrick?

Park at NX415803 near Newton Stewart. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.

What's the best month to climb Merrick?

Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Merrick. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.

Can dogs go up Merrick?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Chris Andrews / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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Donald · Galloway

Merrick

The highest point in the Southern Uplands and the centrepiece of the Galloway hills. Often called 'the highest hill in the South of Scotland', which is technically true and entirely justified by the views.

Quick facts

Height: 843m/ 2766ft
Prominence: 705 m
Distance: ~13 km
Ascent: ~850 m
Time: 3–5 hrs
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NX427855
Parking: NX415803
Nearest: Newton Stewart· 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 45% · granite boulders 30% · grass moorland 25%

13km · 850m ascent · 5.5 hrs

Standard route from Bruce's Stone car park at Glen Trool. Path climbs through forest and onto the open hillside, then up Benyellary and along the ridge to Merrick.

Terrain

Excellent path throughout. Easy navigation in clear weather.

In winter

Galloway gets less snow than the Highlands but the cloud sits low and visibility evaporates fast. The summit ridge is featureless in cloud.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Merrick. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS Southern Uplands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 10m
Edinburgh3h 55m

Parking: NX415803DG8 6SU

OS maps: OS Explorer 318

Mobile signal: Good summit signal; EE and Vodafone dependable. Highest point in southern Scotland with clear sight lines.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 52mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:45
Sunset: 18:23
Civil dawn: 07:08
Civil dusk: 19:00

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Merrick.

Two-hill day
Merrick + Kirriereoch Hill
Classic Galloway Range traverse linking the two highest Donalds
20km · 900m ascent · 7 hrs

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Around Merrick on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Ayr station

Ayrshire coast; Galloway approach via bus/car

37km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Kirkcudbright

Galloway base — Solway coast, Galloway Forest, Mull of Galloway Trail

43km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Merrick — common questions

Is Merrick a hard climb?: Merrick is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 850m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-5 hours. Ground conditions: Excellent path throughout.
How much drop does Merrick have?: The drop is 705m: measured from the summit of Merrick down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Merrick?: Park at NX415803 near Newton Stewart. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
What's the best month to climb Merrick?: Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Merrick. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
Can dogs go up Merrick?: Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
Will I get phone signal on Merrick?: Good summit signal; EE and Vodafone dependable. Highest point in southern Scotland with clear sight lines.
Is Merrick safe in winter?: Galloway gets less snow than the Highlands but the cloud sits low and visibility evaporates fast. The summit ridge is featureless in cloud.

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