Minnigaff Hills facts for kids
The Minnigaff Hills are a group of hills found in the Galloway Hills range. They are part of the Southern Uplands in Scotland. These hills are located in the southern part of the Galloway Hills and are near other ranges like the Range of the Awful Hand, Dungeon Hills, and Rhinns of Kells. All these hill ranges are part of the beautiful Galloway Forest Park.
Discovering the Hills
The Minnigaff Hills are among the lower parts of the Galloway Hills. The tallest hill here is called Lamachan Hill, which stands at 717 meters (about 2,352 feet) high. Even though they are called the Minnigaff Hills, people often start their climb from Glen Trool to the north. It's a steeper climb from there, but it's a popular starting point.
Many hikers enjoy a route that includes Lamachan Hill and Curleywee. Some also add Larg Hill to their journey. Another important hill, Millfore, is usually climbed by itself because it's a bit more separate from the others. The main peaks of these hills look a bit like the letter 'N' when you see them on a map.
Here are some of the main hills in the range, from west to east:
| Hill Name | Height (meters) |
|---|---|
| Larg Hill | 676 |
| Lamachan Hill | 717 |
| Scars of Milldown | 603 |
| Curleywee | 674 |
| Bennan Hill | 547 |
| Gairy of Pulnee | 581 |
| Millfore | 657 |
| Cairngarroch | 557 |
| Craignell | 477 |
Nature in the Hills
The Minnigaff Hills are home to special natural areas. For example, a place called Cairnbaber is on the northeast side of Millfore. This area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a very important place for nature and is protected. It's a great example of "Inland Rock Outcrops," which are rocky areas that stick out of the ground away from the coast. These areas are important for many different plants and animals.
What Do the Names Mean?
Many of the hill names in the Minnigaff Hills come from the Scottish Gaelic language. It's interesting to learn what they mean!
- Curleywee might come from cor le gaeith, which means "hill in the wind."
- Millfore could be from meall fuar, meaning "cold round hill."
- Larg Hill might get its name from the Irish word learg, which means "slopes of a hill." Long ago, a piece of land near here was given to the Clan Mackie by Robert the Bruce.
- Lamachan Hill was once called 'Lommachan'. This name might come from the Irish word loma, meaning "bare."
