Galloway is a place of contrasts: the coastlands, with their beaches and long sands and the pretty villages – and then here, in the Forest of Galloway, in the north of Kirkcudbrightshire it looks like a piece of the Highlands dropped out of place. These are the highest parts of the Southern Uplands, and for a moment you might think yourself in the northern glens, albeit just half an hour away from somewhere to eat.
We went as a family north from Newtown Stewart into the forest, to a Forestry Commission visitors’ centre in Glen Trool. There is a car park there, convenient for changing into walking boots, and a good café for afterwards. From here run a number of paths through the forest, and we followed a route up the glen to Loch Trool; a goodly 5-mile walk, sign-posed from the visitor centre. This being the hot summer of 2025, lightly clad was best – except on our feet, and the dryness kept the worst of the midges at bay – although we were to find later that they were just waiting for the cool of the evening to rise in ravenous clouds.
The path climbs up above the glen eastwards, through woodland and heath, with gorgeous views across to the high, bare fells to the south of the glen, and alternately disappearing in the trees. The fir-clad Rig of Stroan rises to the north, a loud waterfall tumbling down at one point.
We later zig-zagged down, crossing a little road, and down a track to a car park near the foot of the loch. The path is meant to turn back along the other side of the Water of Trool at this point, but we went on until we found the lovely water of the loch itself.
That sight taken in, then we could agree to be obedient to the path provided, and crossed the little river and headed down the glen, first up through more forest. Despite the exceptionally dry weather, there were boggy parts beside the path, and many tiny froglets making their way out and nito the woods.
Soon the path descends to broad scrub fields by the water – the Water of Trool. and then after crossing it following up the Water of Minnoch to our starting point.
The café and its freezer ful of ice cream was very welcome after the heat.
It is a family walk to be recommended, in wet or dry. It also led us on to see other parts of the Frest, which must be another article.
The route: map
Maps
Ordnance Survey:
Landranger 1:50 000 maps:
Explorer 1:25 000 maps: