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| Name: | Tarfessock |
| Hill number: | 1700 |
| Height: | 696.4m / 2285ft |
| Parent (Ma): | 1692 Shalloch on Minnoch |
| RHB Section: | 27B: Carrick and Galloway |
| Donald area: | Galloway Hills |
| County/UA: | South Ayrshire |
| Catchment: | Catchment Boundaries, Cree, Doon |
| Watershed: | Mull of Galloway to St Abb's Head, Firth of Clyde |
| Class: | Simm, Donald, Graham Top (Tu,Sim,D,GT,DN) |
| Grid ref: | NX 40908 89188 |
| Summit feature: | cairn on rocky outcrop |
| Drop: | 68.5m |
| Col: | 627.9m NX 4093 8987  |
| OS map sheet(s): | (1:50k) 77 (1:25k) 318 |
| Survey: | Leica RX1250 |
| Change log: | show changes for this hill entry |
| GPS data: | show GPS entries for this hill |
N.B. Some hill summits are on private property or on land where there is no public right of way. Permission should be sought from the landowner where access to a hill summit is through private land(*).
*For information about access rights in Scotland see the ScotWays website.
Please report via the contact page any logs you see below which describe or encourage acts of trespass. Please quote the hill number and hill name.
| Logged Descriptions (logged by 330 users, only the latest 50 shown - Show all) | By | Date 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. | summitter | 13/12/2023 |
| From Stroan Bridge for a round of Benyellary, Merrick, Kirriereoch Hill, Tarfessock South Top, Tarfessock, Shalloch on Minnoch and Caerloch Dhu. | rhalstead | 27/08/2023 |
| from Kirrieroch CP, via SMC route, using bike to end of track, but then path continued so I took that and it took me through some very boggy ground. Clinbing Tarfessock beyond the forest was easy, but the continuation to Kirrieroch Hill was very awkward in the thick mist.... | IanHHill | 08/05/2023 |
| From good roadside parking to N (NX 3806 9371). Shalloch, Caerloch Dhu and Shalloch on Minnoch first then down to here. Continued on to the South Top, then return. | jonglew | 13/12/2022 |
| 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. | mproudfoot | 28/08/2022 |
| 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. | chillyman8 | 16/07/2022 |
| 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 ROWLETT | 10/07/2022 |
| Heather. Forecast failed! Mostly big rain! | garbo1103 | 30/06/2022 |
| 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. | SS | 19/06/2022 |
| I skirted this top on the way to Shalloch on Minoch but visited it on the way back. I decided to curtail my day and did not go onto its subsidiary top or to Kirriereoch Hill - the ascent looked very steep and I was weary. On descent from Tarfessock I discovered the simpler way up this hill, i.e. avoiding blundering about in the woods at the end of the forestry road. | langskill | 02/04/2022 |
| Circuit from Kirriereoch farm. | thekirkie pirate | 21/01/2022 |
| South north traverse from Benyellary to Shalloch on Minnoch | Colin Crawford | 28/06/2021 |
| 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. | lindslow | 14/05/2021 |
| Caerloch dhu to Tarfessock south top and back in 10 cm of fresh snow. | AndyS | 04/05/2021 |
| Merrick Ridge from Carrick Forest to Glen Trool 31km/ 1660m ascent, 10hrs 10min | Huwel | 26/02/2021 |
| Took the path from the north over Shalloch of Minnoch and then Tarfessock before returning to Shalloch of Minnoch again. We then dropped down to Loch Girvan Eye and climbed Craigmasheenie before returning to the car via Cornish Loch. | 3 kinnears | 18/09/2020 |
| 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. | PeterD | 04/09/2020 |
| 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. | meltdiceburg | 19/08/2020 |
| From W. Faint, but very welcome, path leaves track at 388881 up LHS of trees to ridge and on to summit. | 49pp | 14/08/2020 |
| From Shalloch on Minnoch. | benalder284 | 09/08/2020 |
| 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. | alexmaclennan | 24/11/2019 |
| From Stinchar Bridge via Shalloch and back on same route. With Penda. Sunny day, great views. Trip 1030 to 1515. | beorwulf | 24/08/2019 |
| 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 parking | kdbennett | 08/07/2019 |
| Parked at Stinchar Bridge. Cairnadloch,Caerloch Dhu, Shalloch on Minnoch, Tarfessock both tops and Kirriereoch Hill. Returned same way. 5.5 hours round trip. | Longwojo | 06/06/2019 |
| 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 village | rum doodle | 03/06/2019 |
| Verge parking by entrance to Kirriereoch Farm at 362869 & up Shalloch on Minnoch & Caerloch Dhu. From Shalloch on Minnoch, back down to Nick of Carclach & then a decent path to the summit cairn. Continued to the S. Top. (S) | gerrybowes | 28/05/2019 |
| With Rue, Davie, Graham in mist, unfortunately | davechaffey | 01/03/2019 |
| On route to Kirriereoch | N.Morters | 02/10/2018 |
| Solo from P nr. KIrriereoch Fm up track, held up by sheep flock being driven down then missed R turn after Pillow Burn bridge and wandered ~ 1 km before failing to recognise area: about turn to find turn and then onto track end. Reached summit for first phase lunch then down to S top. Weather was great for walking - sunshine with light N wind. First visit was solo on 22/06/2015. Third visit was on 05/09/2020, with six others from KHWC (DB, M&DC, A&MS and JM): using the same route as previously, summit was reached in 2h15 when rain increased considerably to a storm propelled by strong NW wind. At lunch, sheltering, group opinion was that continuing the planned walk to Kirriereoch should be abandoned; about turn onto upward route brought us into dry weather low down on track but rain again caught us just before reaching the cars. | jacobus | 04/09/2018 |
| Northern tops of the range from Tunskeen bothy | Colin Crawford | 28/08/2018 |
| Circuit from Kirriereoch | rjf35 | 30/07/2018 |
| Between Kirriereoch and Shalloch. Even for non tump baggers the best way along the ridge is probably over this one. | Topographer57 | 19/05/2018 |
| From Kirriereoch out on forest track then decent path up ridge of Tarfessock flanking it to gain Shalloch on Minnoch in thick mist. Took in trig then down and up to Tarfessock returning by west ridge to upward route. Sun broke through on descent - an hour earlier and I'd have carried on to Kirriereoch Hill. | SS | 06/05/2018 |
| Drove to end of forest track (no prohibitive signs), quad track to edge of forest and easily up to summit cairn despite thick mist and strong winds. Then disaster struck! Took wrong bearing off summit and got hopelessly lost on open hillside and along boggy tussocky rides in forest. Eventually found way back to end of track. One to forget! | AndrewFinnimore | 18/04/2018 |
| 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. | Dugswell2 | 24/03/2018 |
| Round including Shalloch, Tarfessock and Kirriereoch from Kirriereoch farm. | Roblex | 06/10/2017 |
| with Maggie | vegibagger | 23/09/2017 |
| 4th hill of 9 today on my South Ayrshire completion walk on a route from a track leading to the King's ford (over the Kirriemore burn) to Barr village climbing Kirriemore, Kirriereoch hill boundary and Tarfessock hill South top. Pleasant ridge walking in more stable weather. Next hill Shalloch on Minnoch | Dazingdale | 20/05/2017 |
| Merrick then onto Shalloch on Minnoch, Lovely day, slight breeze taking the heat away. | Jhimmy | 06/05/2017 |
| Second of the day with George W. Conditions the same as the last Donald! | Play2End | 04/05/2017 |
| Weather fair. | MountainMac | 29/07/2016 |
| 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 Goch | 27/07/2016 |
| N-S traverse of ridge. | Minto | 04/06/2016 |
| see notes on Kirriereoch Hill | pwheeler | 11/05/2016 |
| Veryhappybunny | 19/03/2016 | |
| From picnic site. Followed by top & Kirriereoch. | ngthack | 19/10/2015 |
| 2 of 6: From Shalloch on Minnoch. With Tim. | ChrisR | 13/10/2015 |
| Parked at the picnic site but there is closer parking at NX388880 (there was a car parked there on my return from Tarfessock) which would have saved 80 mins of walking. 1st over Kirriereoch Hill with steep descent NNW then easy round over Tarfessock. | Jim.Fothergill | 30/09/2015 |
| Round of Tarfesock, Kirriereoch Hill and Kirriemore Hill from W. Camped overnight approx 730m on W ridge of Kirriereoch. | RobertP | 19/09/2015 |
| On returning from Kirriereoch Hill col, I had the feeling that I had been here before. | alda | 18/08/2015 |