NX4159780457 From the top of the upper parking area, take the clear path uphill with info boards about the Merrick. Once it arrives above the Buchan Burn, drop right and cross on granite boulders (Robert the Bruce defenced this crossing against 100 enemies around 1307). But note: if streams are in spate, instead take the track zigzagging downnhill to cross its bridge, and head up to right of the burn from there, passing waterfalls. Head roughly northeast, up very rough grassland towards the Black Gairy crags defending the upper part of Buchan Hill. There are grassy ramps through them, but the most entertaining way is to keep a bit to the left, to a level shoulder at 340m. From a clump of stripy grey boulders, head directly uphill on gentle, scrambly slabs, to Buchan Hill's south-west summit.

NX4247681469 Follow the ridgeline northeast then north to the main summit cairn at 493m. From here a small, peaty path leads north along a low ridgeline that starts off as the Rig of the Buchan, then in its upper part gets a new name as Rig of Loch Enoch. At the base of the final rise, contour out left into the grassy valley just below, cross a fence, and head left for about 100m to the Grey Man of the Merrick. Here the rock face imitates a rather rugged human one.

NX4361684496 Return onto the Rig of Loch Enoch, and follow it onwards to its end point overlooking Loch Enoch. Turn down right to cross a tiny col, then up over another rocky knoll, to reach a second tiny col just above the loch. Turn right on a faint, peaty path running down the little valley. After 800m the unfrequented Loch Arron is over on the left, but hidden from the path. The path runs on down to the Murder Hole, a reedy corner of Loch Neldricken.

NX4386882984 The path rises a little away from the loch, around the lower slopes of Meaul, then drops to join the Mid Burn near a stone sheepfold. The path, now well used and very rough, runs along the western end of Loch Valley and down to right of its outflow stream, the Gairland Burn. After 600m the path contours out above the burn, and turns a hill spur with a sudden view of Loch Trool. The path slants down to join a track near Buchan house.

NX4198580499 The track runs into some ancient oakwood, and crosses the stone bridge at the foot of Buchan Burn. As it zigzags uphill, a small path up left leads straight to Bruce's Stone, an erratic granite boulder sitting on a plinth of altered greywacke rocks, and co-opted into the cause of Scottish Nationalism. The whole of Loch Trool is in front of it: the wide path to the nearby car park is behind.