Wigtownshire Ramblers-The Merrick-March 2011

It's Saturday the 5th of March.
Today's walk is to the summit of South West Scotland's highest hill,the Merrick.
Stepping in to lead her fourth walk in succession is the stalwart of our group so far this year,it is of course the 'Weaver'.
As I did last week,I'll again use her report where applicable on this post.(She draws better pictures than I do)
There won't be spectacular views today since for most of the walk we were in the mist.(Only a couple of Gorillas)

Ramblers’ report Saturday March  5^th 2011

Saturday produced a drizzly morning with mist hanging around the tops of the hills when fifteen ramblers gathered to climb the Merrick .

Leaving the cars by Bruce’s Stone, an inscribed boulder overlooking Loch Trool, commemorating Bruce’s victory over the English here in 1314, the company followed the tourist path up the side of the Buchan Burn.


The burn displayed its usual picturesque bubbly character, bouncing and swirling over rocks and gurgling through pools, a pretty accompaniment to the dreary weather, and rough path. Once gaining the trees the path improved and a pleasant walk to Culsharg Bothy ensued, though now the mist approached and visibility was reduced.

A stop was made at the bothy, once a shepherd’s cottage, to examine a carved boulder which was rescued from the nearby burn and incorporated into a rock pillar in 1983, after being damaged by storms some years earlier. The carving, which was made around 1870, is difficult to make out.

Logging has cleared the area above Culsharg and is still an ongoing operation, with the forestry machines in much evidence.  Here the climb up the steep path, between the remaining trees, began in earnest.

Once above the trees the mist closed in, so that although the new path was clear, a delightful change from the boggy expanse that had to be crossed only a few years ago, there were no views of the hills to be had.

As the ramblers walked blindly on it was therefore a surprise to reach the top of Benyellary seemingly quickly, perhaps because the heights yet to be climbed on this stage of the walk could not be seen, and thus not demoralising those who were finding the gradient taxing.

After lunch by the cairn it was a straightforward walk across the Neive of the Spit, with a bitter cold air penetrating the fingers, and onto the top of the hill where the air became much warmer.

Quite a few walkers were met along the way, with the top cairn shelter already occupied.

Unfortunately the spectacular views to be seen from the summit were missing, but the effort of gaining the top, 843 metres high, was declared to be worthwhile, especially by the three ramblers for whom this was the first time.

Trig Point,Flush Bracket and Lucky Money

Scoop organises the photo shoot.

Leaving the Ordinance survey triangulation point, which displayed a flush bracket to the delight of the collector, the Black Gairy on the north face of the hill was viewed. Here there was a thick cornice of snow glimmering through the mist. This is a favourite place for the ice climbers of Galloway to practice their sport.
The top of the Merrick is hundreds of acres of rough grass, and for a place of such high rainfall, it was very dry, with just one large patch of snow still lying.

The flat top and the path down to Culsharg were uneventfully followed, with the mist still enclosing the ramblers almost until the forest road was reached once more.

A welcome stop for refreshments was taken at Culsharg with some views of the lower hills, though the mist remained on the tops.  It was here that many of the walkers, such as McBain, who first described exploring these hills at the end of the nineteenth century, had comfortable lodgings with the shepherd, his wife and sister. It now seems rather a lot of people to fit into this small cottage.

Only a comparatively short walk from here remained, back down beside the Buchan Burn, to regain the cars. Despite the mist and drizzle the ramblers had once more had a enjoyable walk in congenial company.

Thanks to Scoop for the additional pictures,they're excellent.

 A nice end to the walk was this friendly Robin (It's the same one twice) tapping us up for food.

He got some too.

As the Weaver says above,it was an enjoyable walk in great company.

Wigtownshire Ramblers-The Merrick and the Buchan Ridge March 2010

Saturday the 20th of March 2010.
I can't explain why it's taken me so long since coming back to Scotland to climb the highest hill in South West Scotland.Today I'll be joined by thirteen fellow walkers.
I'm also doing the press report for this walk,so the paragraphs from that will be in italics.

Fourteen walkers gathered at Bruces Stone Car Park above Loch Trool for the walk to the summit of the Merrick,South West Scotlands highest peak.

Light cloud and occasional sunshine saw the group begin the walk by taking the traditional route alongside the Buchan Burn and it's magical waterfalls.They soon reached the sign with instructions to use the high path. This took them higher above the Buchan Burn.

They continued on through the woods at Stroquhan,where the first signs of spring were apparent by the appearance of new shoots coming through the forest floor.
Once out of the woods they now came within sight of the Culsharg Bothy.Although the windows and doors are gone the bothy looks in a reasonable condition,with it's roof still intact.

The pace up till now had suited me,but i remember from my snowy walk on Benyellery how steep the gradient would get.
We stop here for everybody to catch up.We'll soon get strung out again.The gradient increases on this path that follows the Whiteland Burn up through the trees.

After passing the bothy they crossed a forest road and began the long haul up Benyellery.The steep section following the course of the Whiteland Burn through the woods saw the more exuberant walkers forging ahead.Occasional stops had to be made to allow the more moderate climbers to catch up.


Out of the forest they continued following the well trodden path up the Braes of Mulgarvie,through a gate almost midway,and on to the drystane dyke.Lots of snow still lay in the deeper ruts and depressions.

By now the mast on Bennan was below them,and good all round views were enjoyed.

Reaching the dyke they then followed it to the summit of Benyellery where lunch was taken.
Benyellery Summit and I get my picture taken.Brilliant all round views.


Our Illustrious walk leader smiles for the camera,as Scoop takes pictures.

The dyke proved to be an effective windbreak.Although the weather changed slightly to become more overcast,spectacular views over the surrounding hills and lochs were still enjoyed.
A couple of pictures stitched together showing the broad bulk of the Merrick.

After lunch they now headed along the ridge known as the Neive of the Spit, while the Scars of Benyellery fell away to the right.

The easy going was soon replaced with tough climbing on reaching the Broads of the Merrick and the final push to the summit.Previously stripped off coats were again donned as the wind began to whip up.
A look back towards Benyellery in the above collage.
There's lots of stuff on the internet regarding the Galloway Hills,but I've recently discovered Andy Wallace's website at Andyfellwalker
He doesn't half get around the country.

Upon reaching the summit,cameras appeared as if from nowhere for photocalls.A number of group photos were also taken.
There were brilliant but slightly hazy views over the Rhins of Kells.

After enjoying the spectacular views the descent began.The clouds began to dissipate slightly.
The precipitous descent took them down the Rig of the Gloon and the Kirn Burn.A few minor slips and accidental sit downs brought lots of smiles,but no serious injuries.

Fantastic views of Lochs Enoch,Arron,Neldricken and Valley as well as the surrounding hills,brought them down to the rocky outcrop known as the Grey Man of the Merrick.

Loch Enoch in the top picture in the above collage has at least one sunken WW2 plane.
Registered on the 'The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland' website is an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V.It was an RAF plane with a polish crew and went down on the 29 May 1941.
A Junkers 88 is also supposed to have crashed into the Loch,but very little information is available concerning that.No attempt has ever been made to recover the bodies.



The expressions on the stoney face of the Grey Man vary depending where he's viewed from.

As the group crossed over the fords to the Rig of Loch Enoch,he had a knowing smirk on his face.

Next they headed south along the Rig of Loch Enoch and onto the Buchan Ridge passing each of the aforementioned lochs in turn.
A look back at the Merrick.

The sun began to make an appearance again as the group enjoyed a short refreshment break at Craignine overlooking Loch Neldricken.The "Murder Hole" of Neldricken was discussed and apparently refers to an incident in Samuel Crockett's novel "The Raiders".
One walker claimed that the real murder hole was near Rowantree Bridge on the Water of Minnoch,and was where the bodies of murdered travellers were dumped.

Now they followed a very boggy path along the Buchan Ridge.Large precariously balanced boulders,remnants from the glacial age were dotted at irregular intervals.Two cairn topped peaks were reached before the final one on Buchan Hill.

Now,Loch Trool,Bruce's Stone and the cars came into view.Next came another steep precarious descent over Black Gairy,taking them down by the waterfalls to the Buchan Bridge.

Love this view of the Buchan.If you fancy a holiday here,then click.
Buchan

A last climb up the forest road brought them back to Bruce's Stone and the welcoming cars.

After my operation in 2009,my first walk back with the Ramblers was along the Buchan Ridge to Loch Enoch.
2009 Buchan Ridge to Loch Enoch
I'd forgotten how scenic it was.
I'd also forgotten the link I posted then to the excellent book by S.R.Crockett written in 1904 called Raiderland,so I'll publish it here again.
Raiderland

Today was long and tiring,but so very enjoyable.

A Frosty Sunday Walk

It's Sunday the 3rd of January 2009.A good nights sleep,and i'm up early.I decide to accompany a small group of walkers including ramblers, that often walk on a Sunday.I've always turned down the invites i've had for these walks, having heard how strenuous and unpredictable they can be.
It's a beautiful frosty morning as the sun comes up,with the moon still high in the sky.


Waiting in the Riverside Car Park for the others i take a few pictures of the Cree.The volume of water is well down,and if the present freeze continues i've a vision of walking across.

With the A714 still having a lot of ice,it's a very steady drive that gets us to Stroan Bridge at Glentrool where we'll start walking.
We number seven,and are soon on the way.We retrace the trail we took last Saturday.There's a lot more icicles around the Spout Head Waterfall this week.

With clear views across to Larg,Lamachan and Curleywee,we descend to follow the main tarmac road to Bruces Stone.There's very little tarmac showing,it's more like an ice sheet,but we eventually reach Bruces Stone.

As this friendly Robin keeps us company,our walk leader outlines the next section of the walk.
We'll walk up the Buchan Burn to gain some height before crossing over onto the Buchan Ridge.
The burn is a patchwork of ice and snow as we head upwards.
A particularly scenic spot is chosen for the lunch stop.
A desecending skier says he's had an enjoyable day.
Back on the move,and the burn takes on an arctic look in places.
Now we approach the bothy at Culsharg,with Benyellery behind.
Our walk leader surveys the land across to the back of the Buchan Ridge,and decides it's probably too rough a terrain.We'll head up Benyellery,and leave it to each individual how far he climbs,since we'll descend on the same path.We're about seven miles out from our start point now.
Passing Culsharg we emerge through the trees on the lower slopes of Benyellery.There's a few ski trails visible.
The snow's very deep in parts,and somehow we've lost the trail.It's only about fifty yards to our left and is regained by a trudge through deep and uneven snow.Unflattering pictures of ladies waist deep and falling over will remain off this blog as long as they don't cross me.Hehe!
I think i can say without contradiction that i'm the heaviest member of this group,and I'm finding it a struggle on this incline and the deep footholes.I've a strong feeling that i'll fail to reach the summit.
Reaching the drystane dyke that leads to the summit,i stop for a drink.I've decided i'm going no further,and inform the rest i'll begin heading down after a break.
I know i could have carried on,but would i have got back to Stroan Bridge.I know my limitations,and after admiring the views over to Ailsa Craig,Arran and beyond,and watching the rest continuing the slow climb to the summit i started heading down.
The sun's low in the sky as i descend.Passing Culsharg,i thought about stopping in the bothy till they arrived back here.On second thoughts i continued on in the belief they wouldn't be far behind.It's almost dusk as i reach the Buchan burn,so i'm taking it really carefully on the slippery slopes.
The sun's well down as i reach Bruces Stone and Loch Trool.
Now comes the long slippery road back to Stroan Bridge.As night falls the stars come out in their multitudes.I keep glancing upwards and watching for any activity.Being such a clear night,any aircraft are instantly noticable.
Finally back at Stroan Bridge,i await the return of the others.I see three shooting stars in the twenty minutes it takes(It's easy to see how we achieved Dark Sky Status).
The first person i see,is a young man from Gatehouse who'd spent the night atop the hills(I was in HM Forces,40+ years ago when i last did that).He tells me the others aren't far behind,they'd asked him to look out for me.
The rest of the group are pleased to see i'm back.
It's another hard frost tonight,and once the vehicle windscreens are de-iced we say our goodbyes and head home.The car i'm in registers a temperature outside of -8 degrees.
Today was probably a bit more than this body can handle.The walk out was ok.It was the long walk home that was the OD.
A stone less in weight is what i'm striving for,but it's taking a long time.
Today though,scenic wise, was absolutely brilliant.