Get Lost Mountaineering

Shalloch on Minnoch route to avoid

Start/Finish

Bell's memorial at NX 353 907 on minor road from Glen Trool to Straiton

Distance/Time

Not applicable

Peaks

Shalloch on Minnoch, 775 m, NX 407 905. OS Explorer sheet 318.

Introduction

This route is not recommended even though it is in two SMC guide books: The Southern Uplands and The Corbetts (2002). It is easy to reach the abandoned house at Shalloch on Minnoch by a good track but beyond there, the going is too tough and so very slow as not to be worth recommending. The sleeper bridge described in the above guides was wooden sleepers laid across two iron girders over a narrow gorge. On 30/9/15, only the girders remain and these are overgrown on the east side of the burn. In very dry conditions, the burn can be crossed but on very slippery rocks. There is the very faint remains of an old path which shows little sign of recent use. The path is overgrown and passes through high and deep grass over rough and wet ground as well as passing through deep fern patches. Other vegetation is also springing up making the going even more awkward. Find another route up this hill!

Route

Not applicable.

Notes

(a) This aborted walk took place on 30th September, 2015.