Galloway Hills

The Galloway Hills rise in the Southern Uplands of Scotland, forming the northern edge of western Galloway. They lie within Galloway Forest Park, a wild expanse of about 800 square kilometres managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. The hills stretch mainly south of Loch Doon and extend towards Loch Ken and Loch Trool. Their names carry Old Norse and Scottish Gaelic traces, reflecting centuries of cultural influence. The boundary between Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire cuts through the heart of the range near Loch Enoch. Minor roads and forest tracks weave around the edges, offering entry points from villages like Glentrool and New Galloway. The hills are worth the journey for their remote, unspoilt character and varied terrain. Merrick, the highest hill here, stands just below 3,000 feet but commands wide views across the Southern Uplands. The Awful Hand ridge, stretching nine kilometres, takes its name from the shape of its five tops, including Kirriereoch Hill and Benyellary. The Rhinns of Kells ridge runs fifteen and a half kilometres with a gentle double curve, making it a favourite for walkers. The Dungeon Hills, eleven kilometres long, offer rugged scrambling with rocky outcrops like Mullwharchar and Dungeon Hill. Visitors find three main ridges to explore. From the car park at Bruce’s Stone beside Loch Trool, paths lead north into the heart of the range. The Awful Hand ridge rises steeply past Merrick and Kirriereoch Hill, rewarding climbers with long views. The Rhinns of Kells ridge follows a gentler line from Black Craig to Darrou, passing Corserine and Meaul. The Dungeon Hills offer rougher ground, with peaks like Snibe Hill and Craignaw attracting scramblers. Lochs Trool, Dee and Doon lie scattered below, while forest tracks and single-track roads provide quiet approaches through the park.