Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary up Merrick: route map, distance and time
843 m · Dumfries and Galloway
Merrick is the highest hill in southern Scotland at 843m, a Corbett and Donald above Glen Trool climbed by a clear path past Culsharg bothy.
A path climbs past Culsharg bothy and through forest onto Benyellary. The grassy Neive of the Spit ridge leads to the summit.
Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary at a glance
| Distance | 6.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 769 m |
| Time up | 2h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Bruce's Stone car park (Glen Trool) |
| Start grid reference | NX 415 803 |
| Summit grid reference | NX 427 855 |
Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
How long Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 3h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 4h 45m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:53, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:17 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:55, sunset 18:09. Start by 13:14 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Merrick summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Clear sky, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 16 mph gusting 20 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:53, sunset 18:12.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Dense drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 31 mph gusting 39 mph, 71% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:55, sunset 18:09.
Best day of the next seven for Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 20 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Merrick forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Merrick?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Southern Uplands forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -5°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Merrick
Merrick is the highest hill in southern Scotland at 843m, a Corbett and Donald above Glen Trool climbed by a clear path past Culsharg bothy. More about Merrick, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Corbett, Donald, Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Kirriereoch Hill (787 m), 1.6 km north-west
- Mullwharchar (692 m), 2.9 km north-east
Challenges that include Merrick
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NX 415 803, the summit at NX 427 855), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary: questions and answers
How far is Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary?
Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary is 6.5 km one way to the summit of Merrick, with 769 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 13.0 km.
How long does Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary take?
About 2h 35m to the summit of Merrick and 3h 55m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 4h 45m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary?
Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary starts from Bruce's Stone car park (Glen Trool). The grid reference is NX 415 803.
Is Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary today?
By 13:17 at the latest. Sunset on Merrick today is 18:12, Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary takes about 3h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Bruce's Stone via Culsharg and Benyellary?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).