Hill walk routes to climb in SW Scotland - also coastal paths and National Scenic Areas with maps, pictures and other useful information based on extensive local knowledge
Cairnsmore of Fleet from Murray's Monument and Dunkitterick Cottage Page 2
Cairnsmore of Fleet Routes Map - Tourist Route - Murray's Monument Route Page 1
Clints Route - Site Homepage - Other Galloway Walks - Map of Galloway

Looking back now from the top of the Flesh Market this is the view north with the Minnigaff hills showing above Murray's Monument. We are still around a kilometer from the top of Craignelder here. From the top of Craignelder you will be able to see the tops of Merrick and Benyellary behind the Minnigaff hills.
View of the Minnigaff hills from the top of Craignelder
Once we leave Craignelder and start heading south for Meikle Mulltaggart and Cairnsmore we have to cross a sort of col or hass area as shown in the picture below. This is a fascinating area of wild glacial effects as you can see in the pictures below that. The ice has scratched lines across the bedrock and left boulders standing where they were when it melted. See the web page on Bennan near the Merrick for some other interesting geological features in Galloway.
In the top picture below you may be able to see the Lake District beyond Screel and Ben Gairn.
View of route ahead crossing from Craignelder towards Meikle Mulltaggart and Cairnsmore of Fleet
Erratics in the broad col between Craignelder and Meikle Mulltaggart
Cairnsmore of Fleet from the broad col between Craignelder and Meikle Mulltaggart Glacial striations on the bed rock in the broad col between Craignelder and Meikle Mulltaggart
In the picture below we are looking back towards Craignelder from these striated rocks in the hass. In the second picture we are looking NE towards Cairnsmore of Dee, in the centre of the picture, and near the left edge in the distance is Cairnsmore of Carsphairn
Looking back to Craignelder from the broad col between Craignelder and Meikle Mulltaggart
Looking NE towards Cairnsmore of Dee from the broad col between Craignelder and Meikle Mulltaggart
In the picture below Sandy is making his way up the slopes of Cairnsmore of Fleet from Nick of the Saddle with Meikle Mulltaggart behind and beyond that Craigronald. You can see the light catching the lochans in the hass near the left edge of the picture. You can also see Cairnsmore of Dee and Clatteringshaws.
The picture above was taken at one of these lochans.
View from ascent of Cairnsmore of Fleet towards Nick of the Saddle with Meikle Mulltaggart behind and Craigronald beyond that
On top of Cairnsmore of Fleet heading for the air crash monument
In the picture above we are on the top of Cairnsmore moving from the cairn towards the monument to the airmen who have lost their lives on this hill in 9 crashes there. Below is a picture of this monument.
The monument on Cairnsmore of Fleet to 9 aircrews who have died on this hill
. Below is Dunkitterick Cottage, the ruined house that Alexander Murry was born in. On the way back remember what I said about keeping well over to the edge of the Gairy, especially when you get to the top of Craignelder where the temptation is just to head directly north for Murray's Monument. If you look at the map you will see that you should head WNW to follow the line of the Gairy and avoid the worst terrain of boulders rock slabs and the deep heather with the hidden holes.
The remains of Dunkitterick cottage
Sunset light on Craignelder with Cairnsmore of Fleet in the distance
The picture above shows the rugged west face of Craignelder as the sunsets on a fine day with Cairnsmore behind. This picture is taken from the forest road.
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Extra Pictures

Cairnsmore of Fleet Routes Map - Tourist Route - Murray's Monument Route Page 1
Clints Route - Site Homepage - Other Galloway Walks - Map of Galloway