Merrick and the Rhins of Kells, Galloway

ChrisJB · #1 (**permalink**) 25-07-2010, 06:05 PM

Has anyone done any walking in the aforementioned areas? I was up near there last week and had a drive up to Clatteringshaws Loch. I looked longingly at the hills and mountains to the north and west and it looked brilliant and a place I'd love to explore with more time. Some bloke told me there are golden eagles up there too.
I just wondered if anyone had any thoughts or experiences about this wonderful looking area of upland.

Regards, Chris

Pete Collins · #2 (**permalink**) 25-07-2010, 09:08 PM

Sorry, I can't help you there ChrisJB, but I'm really hoping someone else can!

I went to Galloway on holiday in about 1997 and thought it a wonderful area. I had serious problems with my back at the time, so could only manage some short low-level walks, a bit of bird-watching and some sight-seeing. But it looked really good for walking, and like you I'd love to hear of people's experiences there.

ChrisJB · #3 (**permalink**) 26-07-2010, 08:18 AM

We had a weeks camping at Sandyhills on the coast last week Pete and to be honest the weather was pretty poor mostly and I only managed one walk, up Criffel (not very high really but I found it a bit of a toughie). Having seen the Rhinns of Kells and Merrick I really must go back though and do some more explorations.

Regards, Chris

The Woodman · #4 (**permalink**) 26-07-2010, 09:38 AM

Chris
I get up to this area regularly although not to the high ground you mention. I will be back up in October to complete some work in the Glentrool area.

There is a campsite at the southwest end of Loch Trool that I've used in the past and have stayed in House o' Hill just south of Glentrool Village. Recently I've stayed at But 'n' Bens in Bargrennan and can recommend it as self catering accommodation, again just south of Glentrool. If you'd like details, please PM me.

Loch Trool is a good start for a walk to Merrick up the Buchan Burn and Buchan Hill or via Benyellary and back down the east side of the central lochs via Dungeon Hill and Craignaw.

It's an easy to get to area with some great scenary and you might just get to see these actual birds!

ChrisJB · #5 (**permalink**) 26-07-2010, 09:13 PM

Thanks for the reply Woodman. The Glen Trool campsite you speak of, is it Caldons? A few winters ago I had a brief stroll round the loch and wrote down the name of the campsite on the edge of my map for future reference. I have purchased the 1: 25 000 maps of the area and am doing internet research on routes up Merrick and Corserine, etc, wildlife (especially golden eagles!) and have just bought Derek Ratcliffe's Collins New Naturalist book on Galloway (so far a superb book).
The fact that not many folk are responding to this thread seems to confirm my suspicious that this area is probably overlooked by many people and should be pretty quiet, all of which adds to the allure for me.
I guess I need to plan another holiday up there now and be nice to the missus so I can go off on a jolly on my own!
And, does anyone know how Rig of the Jarkness gets its strange name?

Regards, Chris

The Woodman · #6 (**permalink**) 27-07-2010, 12:29 PM

Hi Chris

Yes, the camp site is Caldons but the bad news is that it's shut permanently, I've just checked. Your nearest is now not too far away at Glentrool Holiday Park at Bargrennan, between House o' Hill and the village - you can't miss it.

I'm arranging to stay in the self catering at But 'n' Bens in the first week of October.

You're right about lack of visitors, I rarely see any apart from the usual touristy places, Bruces Stane, the cafe and shop at Glentrool and the RSPB Cree woods.

No idea about the Rig of Jarkness!

caernerch · #7 (**permalink**) 27-07-2010, 03:49 PM

what a great and under-explored part of the world. Dumfries and galloway is a part of scotland overlooked by many people going north to the highlands. Ive had golden eagle over the glentrool caravan site, basking shark in wigtown bay - not to mention the delights of the mull of galloway with tysties in the harbour wall at port patrick, peregrines on the mull itself and the gannets on scar rocks. if you fancy a winter trip the north side of the solway and loch ryan will supply divers, geese and grebes enogh for anyone. during the summer evenings sunset over criffel with the haaf netters on the nith at glencapel is a supurbly timeless scene, doubtless witnessed by robert burns who was gauger there.
enjoy your visit
caernerch

ChrisJB · #8 (**permalink**) 27-07-2010, 09:02 PM

I'm really glad you mentioned Mull of Galloway Caernerch because we went there last week and I was totally bowled over by the place. Utterly stunning. Most of the auks had left the cliffs, but there were plenty on the water, including a fair few black guillemots. It was the landscape and drama of the cliffs that did it for me though, and I love lighthouses! There is a brilliant cafe there called Gallie Craig as well with an amazing outdoor platform right on the edge of the cliffs. The views were pretty decent as well, with both the Isle o' Man and the Mountains of Mourne in Ireland clearly visible. I could barely tear myself away. The missus was slightly less impressed as she returned from the Mull with an impressive looking tick stuck to her wrist.

p.s, I did manage to climb Criffel as well. For a relatively lowly hill, I cannot think of another that holds cloud like it. Mighty Skiddaw across the Solway was clear for a lot of the week, but Criffel seemed to be always mantled in low cloud.

Regards, Chris