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
- 730 m
- Time
- 3–5 hrs
- 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%
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.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 10m
- Edinburgh3h 55m
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
- 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 Merrick.
Around Merrick on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
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 730m 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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