Merrick

Merrick is the highest mountain in the Southern Uplands of Scotland with a summit at 843 m. It sits within the Galloway Hills and is a prominent feature of southern Scotland’s hill country.

A compact upland with open heather and grass slopes, it is primarily visited for hillwalking and ridge routes. Most routes are straightforward but exposed, with typical upland terrain and peat hag sections near the top. The summit provides broad, unobstructed views across the Galloway Hills and surrounding moorland on clear days.

The Merrick is a natural feature formed by Scottish upland geology rather than a built landmark. It has long been used for seasonal grazing and recreational hillwalking; more recent decades have seen management within Galloway Forest Park for recreation and conservation.

The mountain lies in the Galloway Hills within Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland, inside Galloway Forest Park. It is in a sparsely populated upland area accessible from valley roads leading into Glen Trool and other local car parks.

• Elevation: Summit altitude is 843 metres, making it the highest peak in the Southern Uplands of Scotland.
• Access and views: Common ascent routes start from Glen Trool and from car parks inside Galloway Forest Park; the summit offers broad views over the Galloway Hills and surrounding moorland on clear days.