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This page: updated 15th July 2022

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Loch Trool Circular Walk
Dumfries and Galloway

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Loch Trool Circular Walk in Dumfries and Galloway

Loch Trool Circular WalkDistance: 8.5km / 5.5miles

Typical duration: approximately 3 hours

Walking on: Hard surface paths and tracks. Beaten earth. All soft in places.

Starting point: 1.5 miles past the Glen Trool visitor centre - a car park just before a bridge.

Walk overview

Circular lochside and forest walk.

Of special interest

The site of the Battle of Trool is the spot where, in March 1307, Robert the Bruce defeated a 1500-strong English army led by Sir Aymer de Valence. Bruce's army numbered only 300 but, by luring the enemy along the steep sides of Loch Trool, he managed to ambush them and knocked them into the water with boulders.

Bruce's Stone is a large granite boulder erected to commemorate the Battle of Trool and sits on a commanding viewpoint overlooking the loch and the battle site.

Look out for

Waterfalls and burns rushing down from the hills into the Buchan and Glenhead oak woodlands - home to a variety of wildlife, from roe deer to redstarts.

Also enjoy

Fantastic views over Loch Trool from all sides!

How to get here

  1. From Newton Stewart, follow the A714 towards Girvan.
  2. Turn right at Bargrennan to Glentrool village.
  3. Follow signs to Glen Trool visitor centre.
  4. Go past the visitor centre and continue to follow the road for 3km / 1.5 miles then take the first tarred road on your right and follow it to reach a car park just before a bridge,

GlentroolThe walk in detail

  1. From the car park, follow the green waymarkers leading to the Southern Upland Way.
  2. Pass Caldons House and remnants of the ancient woodlands that once covered most of Glen Trool.
  3. Continue uphill into conifers on the steep southern side of Loch Trool towards the head of the Loch.
  4. At the head of Loch Trool, at the bridge, leave the Southern Upland Way to follow the northern shores of the loch.
  5. Continue through Buchan and Glenhead woods until you come to a car park - a short detour will lead to Bruce's Stone.
  6. From the car park, continue to follow waymarkers back to the starting point car park.