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Name:Tarfessock South Top
Hill number:1711
Height:620m / 2034ft
Parent (Ma):1692  Shalloch on Minnoch
Parent (SMC):1700  Tarfessock
RHB Section:27B: Carrick and Galloway
Donald area:Galloway Hills
County/UA:South Ayrshire
Catchment:Cree, Catchment Boundaries, Doon
Watershed:Mull of Galloway to St Abb's Head
Class:Subsimm
(DT,sSim)
Grid ref:NX 41360 88624
Summit feature:rock by cairn
Drop:23m
Col:596.9m  NX 4129 8881  
OS map sheet(s):(1:50k) 77
(1:25k) 318
Survey:Leica RX1250
Comments:hill surveyed at 620.0m
Change log:show changes for this hill entry
GPS data:show GPS entries for this hill

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Logged Descriptions  (logged by 256 users, only the latest 50 shown - Show all)ByDate of Ascent
Along the forestry road from the Kirriereoch CP choosing to take a route alongside the Pillow Burn when reaching its bridge ... bad move, very wet in places. The crossing of Cross Burn was also rather tricky following a day of rainfall. Once over, the climb to Carnirock Stone and the Kirriereoch summits was far more pleasant. Then northwards to the Tarfessock tops, a minor path most of the way. Similar path to Shalloch on Minnoch and its Trig, and ATV routes up most of the way to its North Top. Just animal trods to the heathery Shalloch, then NW to the unclassified road and a long road walk back to the start. 6hrs total.summitter13/12/2023
From Stroan Bridge for a round of Benyellary, Merrick, Kirriereoch Hill, Tarfessock South Top, Tarfessock, Shalloch on Minnoch and Caerloch Dhu.rhalstead27/08/2023
From good roadside parking to N (NX 3806 9371). Shalloch, Caerloch Dhu, Shalloch on Minnoch and Tarfessock first then dropped down to here. Contoured round at between 500-600m for the return for a 16km round.jonglew13/12/2022
Solo traverse of The Awful Hand from Kirriereoch. Anti-clockwise loop from near the Kirriereoch Loch along the track to the edge of the forest then across the tussock-grass from hell, before ascending Benyellary-->Merrick->Kirriereoch Hill-->Tarfessock-->Shalloch on Minnoch and then back down to Kirriereoch via a squelchy forest track and then the forestry track. The flies, midges, mozzies and other insects were incessant due to the lack of wind, otherwise good conditions. Total time 7h 1min.mproudfoot28/08/2022
Left Kevin Woods car at the Bruce's Stone car park in Glen Trool, I drove around to the high point on the road north of Caerloch Dhu. We headed south across the heather and bog to gain Caerloch Dhu, from where the paths 'started', then we continued south over Shalloch on Minnoch, Trafessock, Trafessock South Top, then the steep climb up to Kirriereoch Hill. This is were I turned west descending down to catch a track to Kirriereoch Loch, where I met Kevin. He'd headed south over to the Merrick and Benyellary then down into Glentrool for his car. 06:50hrs all in, hazy in the distant but dry with a light breeze.chillyman816/07/2022
First of six tops from Stinchar Bridge car park to the north. A extended Donald outing over Caerloch Ddu, Shalloch on Minnoch, Tarfessock and its south top before returning to Shalloch on Minnoch, from here I returned to the carpark via Craigmasheenie, Shiel hill and Cornish hill. Eleven mile taking Seven hours with 3340ft of ascent.WAYNE ROWLETT10/07/2022
From bottom gate on track up to end of track. Followed atv to end of forest but it went left. 400m of ankle breaking stuff but then picked up an excellent deer track by left (up) side of burn flowing from high lochan. Easy enough above and on to Tarfessock proper then descent back to forest track.SS19/06/2022
Circuit from Kirriereoch farm.thekirkie pirate21/01/2022
The only non-Simm on a south north traverse of the rangeColin Crawford26/06/2021
Start and finish point was Loch Doon Forest Drive Car Park at NX 47663 94198. Followed Forest Drive around Loch Riecawr and ascended via Craigencoof Burn crossing summitts of Shalloch on Minnoch, Tarfessock, Tarfessock South Top, Kirriereoch Hill (Boundary) and Kirriereoch Hill. Descent via Loch Twachtan (where we camped) and Eglin Lane river valley entering forest through Wee Craigfionn. Route very wet and tussocky at lower levels and map and compass required on hills which were shrouded in low cloud.lindslow14/05/2021
Caerloch dhu to Tarfessock south top and back in 10 cm of fresh snow.AndyS04/05/2021
Merrick Ridge from Carrick Forest to Glen Trool 31km/ 1660m ascent, 10hrs 10minHuwel26/02/2021
From South of Stinchar Bridge took the faint track from the passing place for the traverse of ridge to Glen Trool, That took us over Caerloch Dhu, Shalloch on Minnoch, Tarfessock, it’s south top, Kirriereoch Hill, Merrick and Benyellary. with A &C. Initial low cloud lifted but two very heavy spells of rain, with good views in between.PeterD04/09/2020
19 mile, 10 hour walk on the Awful Hand range. I started with part of the Cornish Hill circuit before turning for the hills and climbing to the summit of Shalloch on Minnoch (775m), Tarfessock (694m) and Kirriereoch (786m). Then the fun really began as I dropped down across tough cross country to Tunskeen Bothy and then similar climbing back to Girvan Eye, and then onto Craigmasheenie (539m) and Shiel Hill (507m) before dropping back to the Cornish Hill circuit and completing it. I was very lucky with the weather, the cloud lifted off the summits as forecast, producing some lovely clear views and I even got a few hours of sun whilst on the Hand range.meltdiceburg19/08/2020
From N over Shalloch on Minnoch and Tarfessock.benalder28409/08/2020
MMC walk with Noelle Ryan, Allan Gililland, Paul Stokes,Harry Birbeck and Lily. Low cloud and damp moorland. Faint path most of way, which took us off track onto the west ridge of Tarfessock. 7 1/2 hours.alexmaclennan24/11/2019
From Bens Memorial parking area near Laglanny, then along tracks to Shalloch on Monnoch cottage, continuing by Shalloch Burn until clear of forest, then up Shalloch on Minnoch's W ridge, past trig point to summit, then S along ridge over Tarfessock to Kirriereoch Hill (ascending N ridge), descending to W roughly following county boundary, along extremely wet and tussocky forest ride to track leading towards Kirriereoch house, back to road, return to parkingkdbennett08/07/2019
Parked at Stinchar Bridge. Cairnadloch,Caerloch Dhu, Shalloch on Minnoch, Tarfessock both tops and Kirriereoch Hill. Returned same way. 5.5 hours round trip.Longwojo06/06/2019
fa, solo, mist on tops, some heavy rain and windy, 8h 22m, 27.2km, start at kirriereoch cp/picnic area (no sign of any picnic tables!), forest tracks, then path onto west ridge of tarfessock, contorted round then up to nick of carclach, up to the summit of shalloch on minnoch, back down to nick of carclach, now in the rain with mist, along the ridge taking in all the tops, tarfessock, tarfessock s.top, steep and ascent of kirriereoch hill - boulders and scree very slippy/greasy in the rain. mist cleared for the ascent of little spear and the merrick, continued over the nave of the spit, benyellary then across the col to pick up forestry tracks right down to glen trool and the footpath to the bus stop in glen tool villagerum doodle 03/06/2019
Verge parking by entrance to Kirriereoch Farm at 362869 & up Shalloch on Minnoch, Carloch Dhu & Tarfessoch. From Tarfessoch, down to col, picking a way between the rock outcrops & then up over rough ground to the summit cairn. Descended back to col, made way up to W. ridge of Tarfessoch & then back to car using route of ascent. (S)gerrybowes28/05/2019
Decided not to drive up track due to the prevalence of timber lorries. Also, be aware a fallen tree blocks the track near the top. Nasty tall wet grass and boggy ground until out of forest and onto open hillside, thereafter pleasant walking up to summit, contouring N slopes of Tarfessock and Shalloch to Shalloch N Top, return along main ridge and back down to forest using path on Tarfessock w ridge.AndrewFinnimore18/10/2018
On route to KirriereochN.Morters02/10/2018
Continuing from Tarfessock S over rough ground to summit of this top. Then carried on to col with Kirriereoch Hill. Weather remained fine. First visit was also solo, on 22/06/2015.jacobus04/09/2018
Northern tops of the range from Tunskeen bothyColin Crawford28/08/2018
Circuit from Kirriereochrjf3530/07/2018
Parked over bridge near picnic area then walked along track passed Kirriereoch to continue along forest track to below SW of ridge of Tarfessock. Up path of sorts by wood edge then east to Tarfessock. Then onto Tarfessock South Top then aiming for the boundary wall on Kirriereoch Hill then onto its summit boulder. Easy amble to Kirriereoch Hill (boundary) before heading back down the west ridge towards the forest a river crossing before regaining the forest track.Dugswell224/03/2018
UpdatingSimon Winton19/10/2017
Round including Shalloch, Tarfessock and Kirriereoch from Kirriereoch farm.Roblex06/10/2017
3rd hill of 9 today on my South Ayrshire completion walk climbing Kirriemore, Kirriereoch hill boundary, Kirrireoch hill and then gradually up through improving views, still misty but rain ceased. A land full of lochans. Onwards to Tarfessock.Dazingdale20/05/2017
Made a wee bit of an effort to bag this one, George missed it!Play2End04/05/2017
Alone: Kirriereoch Hill, Tarfessock, SoM & Caerloch Dubh.Grinner02/04/2017
Start from small car park at Grid 434941 pass the bothy Tunskeen. and take to the hill. Route to Kirriereoch.smocks and denims23/03/2017
drove up forestry track parked 389881robertphillips07/08/2016
Weather fair.MountainMac29/07/2016
Linear, from road 1km south of Stinchar Bridge, entire Awful Hand range, ending Bruce's Stone CP. Solo, tough walk, 11 miles, 3300ft ascent, 6 hours.Crib Goch27/07/2016
N-S traverse of ridge. The daft lumps you climb to get a tick!Minto04/06/2016
On way to Kirriereoch Hill from Tarfessock.ngthack19/10/2015
3 of 6: From Tarfessock. With Tim.ChrisR13/10/2015
With Merricknickywood115/07/2015
Solo: came from Tarfessock SSE to this Donald Top: continued on to Kirriereoch Hill: dry weather but surrounding Corbetts kept mist on top for most of day.seumas22/06/2015
SoloVin21/04/2015
Solo, enroute to Kirriereoch from Tarfessock.bolton05/11/2014
See Merrickdickscroop04/06/2014
With Steve Poore and his dog.Dangerous Dave28/08/2013
selfdavidsbatty27/07/2013
Tarfessock and Kirriereoch from the westborderterrier29/03/2012
4th hill of day. Dropped down from Tarfessock into highly knolled and pooled area. Climbed up to rocky top.derekblackburn24/09/2011
from Tarfessock. Steeply down for a confusing 350' and a 100' rise to south top. 13.45. 10 red stones on a crag. Back the same way for a very long walk back to road and car. 6 3/4 hrs.arranc29/04/2010
Last Old Donald. From Shalloch road summit. Not a particularly recommended route - laboriously rough at low level.agentmancuso11/07/2009
With Merrick / Shalloch on Minnoch from Glen Troolnordicstar25/05/2009