Wigtownshire Ramblers - Kirriereoch, the Merrick and Kirriemore - May 2014

Sunday the 25th May

After our jaunt to Wales, this weekend's walk was arranged for Sunday to let us have a breather.

A good idea since this walk takes in the two highest hills of the 'Awful Hand' range.

Our leader for the walk was the 'Milkmaid', and her report will follow the pictures. 

We climbed Kirriereoch last July. (I've been informed that the local pronunciation for Kirriereoch is Kirryoch)

July 2013 

There are 17 including three guest walkers at the start. The 'Milkmaid' explains the route.

The weather forecast is for thundery showers, sometimes heavy. 

No need for waterproofs yet !

We head off at a really quick pace along the forest road.

If this pace is maintained I won't keep up.

As we begin climbing the pace does slacken thankfully.

Our route up Kirriereoch is the southern edge above Torrs of Kirriereoch and Cantin Heads.

  

A view back to Loch Moan, source of the Cree.

A group picture part way up.

My pal the Ayrshire Blogger looks for Knockdolian and Ailsa Craig, both were seen at different heights.

The summit of Kirriereoch. I was two minutes from a great view, the cloud and mist descended rapidly.

When the mist lifted, and the Merrick in view we began to descend to the gap between.

Despite the drifting mist, I got some atmospheric pictures.

Bottom left in the above collage it looks like Shorty is enveloped in a protective halo. Maybe it's a raindrop on my lens !

Down in the gap we lunched behind a drystone wall. 

After lunch we began the steep incline up the Merrick.

Overlooking Loch Enoch from the slopes of Little Spear.

Last pull up the Merrick.

Merrick Summit.

It's another very misty outlook at 843 metres.

I've surprised myself climbing these two big hills one after the other, I hope I can get down !

That's our leader the 'Milkmaid' in the middle.

I manage to get a group picture or two.

With a hazy Benyellery in view we began the descent.

Above top, Benyellery and across to Kirriereoch. Above bottom overlooking Black Gairy, Black Gutter and across towards the Rig of Loch Enoch.

It's clearer lower down.

I zoomed in for the picture top left since our descent didn't pass by. I can't figure out if it's a cairn or just shattered rock, does anyone know ?

  

A final climb to the cairn on Kirriemore.

The forest road back to the cars.

Though very tiring, there's a feeling of elation that we've all completed a difficult walk.

A great day in the hills despite the weather.

Here's the 'Milkmaid's'  report.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Report 25/05/14

On Sunday 17 ramblers met at Kirriereoch car park for a 9 mile circular hill walk.  The turn-out was higher than expected because many of our members had just returned from the group’s annual walking trip, this year to Wales. Heavy rain was forecast but visibility in the hills was good.
After moving cars to the point where two forest roads meet just past Kirriereoch Farm the ramblers set off along the forest road taking a left fork after nearly 2 miles. Following this track to its conclusion led to a path leading straight ahead through the trees. Down a slope, through a grassy clearing, some overgrown sheep pens mark the way to the Crossburn.  Here the water level was reasonably low and the stream was easily crossed.
A steep pull up towards the Carnirock stone, following a line of old metal fence posts, was quickly rewarded with fine views to the west where Knockdolian near Ballantrae could clearly be seen. Ominous black clouds hovered over the Bennan to the south, and further north Shalloch on the Minoch was obviously undergoing a drenching. It was time to move on.
A shallower gradient and grass eaten down by sheep made the next 1.3 mile walk to the top much easier walking. Stopping only to don waterproofs when light rain started and experiencing relief when the promised deluge failed to materialize, the ramblers soon found themselves at the summit cairn. Views were temporarily obscured by a thick mist swirling over the top and a light breeze made it too cold to stop for long. When the way ahead became visible the group made their way down Kirriereoch towards the ridge leading to the Little Spear where a useful wall provided shelter for lunch.
Refreshed the group were ready to tackle the steep rocky slopes of the Little Spear. On reaching the top of this conical shaped hill, some paused to enjoy the views, but others chose to immediately tackle the final pull up the Merrick where once again mists blew over to spoil the scenery.
A gentle descent along the finger of the Merrick, first above the Black Gairy, then following a dry stone wall and finally the ridge leading to Kirriemore Hill found the ramblers at the final summit cairn for the day. A quick descent past recently felled forestry took the now tired walkers to a forest road and eventually their awaiting cars.
The next walk, on Saturday the 3rd of August, is a 7.5 mile C grade, Dunskey circular. Meet for car sharing at the Riverside, Newton Stewart at 9.00 am and Stranraer Breastworks at 9.30am or at the walk start at Dunskey Tea Room car cark ( NX 003 561) at 10.00am. New members are always welcome but must contact the walk leader on 01776 700707.



   

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.