A Grey day on the Merrick

For today's bit of sweat & toil the chosen hill was the Merrick in the Galloway forest park. This was my 4th visit to the hill but I had not walked it for at least 10 years. I knew from previous experiences that the views can be quite wonderful from the summit and I looked forward to my return trip. However, today turned out to be a cloudy, slightly drizzly day and the views were almost non existent. So I apologise for the lack of nice photos.
The Merrick is a Corbett and is 843 metres high, it is the highest hill in the Southern Uplands. The Merrick sits as part of the western range of hills, Corserine and its hills form the eastern side.

Early trail through ferns

The walk starts in Glen Trool. Depending on how strenuous you want the day to be you can park in the 1st car park as soon as you come over the hump backed bridge over the Water of Trool. We were lazy and drove on to the upper carpark at Bruce's stone.
There were already 4 cars parked and at least one looked as if it could have been there overnight. As soon as we got out of the car the midges attacked and Skin so Soft was being sprayed on all exposed parts. How quickly they get in your ears. To be fair the SSS seemed to work fast. Still, we did not linger and off up the track we went.
The initial stages are over a clear but very stoney track with large boulders at every step. The going was damp so care was taken not to slip on these. The ferns encroach very close to the path and these were wet with the morning moisture so clothes were getting a bit damp. There is a nice cascading little burn, the Buchan Burn, alongside this stretch where you can take some good snaps.

Looking back through glen towards Curlywee

The path now becomes more of a forest walk. There are full forestry operations going on at present, where are they not, so just take a little care around these workings. We stopped to watch one of the machines strip a tree then cut it into the required sections in seconds. An impressive and no doubt costly bit of kit. We crossed the clearing to the Culsharg bothy before starting the last forestry section. Memories came back of this being my least favourite part of the walk, head down and just grind it out. 
Not too long and we are out of the woods into clear ground. Sadly when looking up the hills were covered in cloud and we couldn't see the top of Benyellary (719m), the 1st summit you reach and normally a good place to pause and take in the scenery. The wind was blowing hard and the hope was that it might blow off!!
Out of the mist we spotted a single walker descending. He had spent the night on the Merrick summit, tent set up behind a wall. He said it had been raining and windy for most of the night but nevertheless said he enjoyed it and he told us that it was a rare occasion to have the wind and rain when he camped out, mmm!!

Partner disappearing into cloud

Upwards we went, the cloud descended and it was not the nicest of days. Another couple appeared out of the mist. They had decided against going to the summit and were backtracking. Something in my head said they were probably wise but on we went. This stretch can be a bit of a slog under normal conditions but at least then you can stop and take in the views.
We reached the flat ground of the Neive of the Spit, this area is full of brilliant place names, which was slightly boggy but ok walking. The wind was now teasing us big style. The clouds would open up for about 10 seconds, giving us that tantalising glimpse of the views we so much wanted to see. What a tease as the clouds quickly enveloped us again. The temperature felt like an early spring day and we are almost into July. I refused to put on the gloves in my rucksack despite the temptation.

Clouds part briefly to give a view eastwards

On the Neive of the Spit

Upwards we continued and soon reached the summit. It took us 1 hour 50 minutes, far from a record time but not too bad. A couple of photos at the trig were taken but it was too cold to hang about and take the risk of waiting for it to clear.

Hanging on to the trig and the dog

We had considered descending over the Merrick's eastern flank down to Loch Enoch but with weather we simply retraced our steps. We came out of the clouds around the same spot we entered them and saw a party of half a dozen women at the deer fence going downhill. We assumed they had turned back with the weather and they confirmed that when we met up with them later. It was nice to get some views again albeit not the clearest of views.
Back to the carpark and a look at Bruce's stone and the views of Loch Trool. We talked to an American couple doing the tour of Scotland but the midges were once again on the attack. I guess the SSS had worn off.
Off the short drive to the House o Hill pub for a well earned beer. As we drove home guess what, yes, the clouds cleared and both summits were visible.
I enjoyed the walk but disappointed about the views but that's walking in Scotland for you. I will be back next year but will pick my visibility forecast better.

Looking West on the descent