Merrick & Murder Hole (Jan 2014)

PLEASE NOTE: The GPX trace on this route is for use as a guide only, its accuracy may change depending on the scale of map you are using. Use in combination with judgement and a paper map. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk. Trail magazine, Copyright Bauer Media Limited.




Distance 14.4km (9 miles)
Total ascent 700m
Time 6 hours
Start / Finish Bruce’s Stone (NX416804)
Terrain good path for ascent, then rough grassy slopes and ridges.
Public transport bus 359 to Glentrool village (4 miles from start) 

NX416804 At the top end of the car park a wide path sets off uphill (north-east) with a signboard announcing it as the Merrick Trail. It arrives above the wooded slot of the Buchan Burn, with waterfalls heard below. After another 400m the path turns uphill a little, then contours through mature plantation. It is now wide and smooth.

NX415821 At Culsharg Bothy the path turns uphill to a forest road. Turn right for 50m, crossing a stream, to find the path continuing uphill. It emerges over a carved stone marking the top of woodland, to pass through a gate on open fellside and then reach a wall. The path runs up to the right of the wall to the large cairn on Benyellary.

NX414839 Here the wall and path bend left, descending around the rim of the Gloon corrie onto the well-defined ridgeline of Neive of the Spit. At the end of this connecting ridge the wall and path bend slightly left (north). After 200m the path bends right, away from the wall, to rake up the hill flank to Merrick’s white-painted trig point. 

NX427855 Descend east-south-east, with steep drops into Howe of the Caldron on your left. At the plateau edge you see Loch Enoch spread below, and head for its right-hand near corner. In mist, aim somewhat to the left (north) of the loch corner; above the loch turn right along a sketchy path to that south-west corner, which has a fenceline running down to a tiny golden-sand beach. Continue along the loch’s south side on a sketchy path for 250m.

NX443846 Turn up to the right into a little grassy pass, just 15m higher than the loch itself. A peaty path leads down just west of south, with a small stream on its left, to the reed-infested western corner of Loch Neldricken, known as the Murder Hole. (Like Doone Valley on Exmoor, this is a fictional place that has made it onto modern maps. It originally features in The Raiders by SR Crockett, a rattling Victorian adventure story.)

NX438830 Once past the loch corner, the path bends south-east across a flank of Meaul, to the corner of Loch Valley. It runs along the loch’s western end, then down beside Gairland Burn. After 1km down the high hidden valley, the path contours out to the right. After passing behind a knoll there’s a view of Loch Trool ahead, and the path slants down through bracken to the track running through the woods beside the loch.

NX419805 Follow the track ahead, across Buchan Burn below a waterfall. Where the uphill track bends right, take a small path ahead for the short pull up to Bruce’s Stone.