2GH – The Abbey Tours

Start – Any day of the week.
Distance – 45 / 50 mls (72 / 80 km).
Grade – Moderate/ Strenuous.
Comments – Two separate day circular tours to majestic abbeys with lots of other features - longer distance routes.
Price – £165 p.p. 
Arrival Day - Arrive in Castle Douglas (railway station pickup available). Pre-tour 3* or 4* B&B provided.
* Free short ‘acclimatisation’ cycle option to Threave Castle / Threave Garden if early arrival.

Tour Features - Below we briefly list the interesting features you will find on each day of the cycling tour. Full information on where to find these features is provided in the Tour Information Pack - supplied on arrival at the welcome meeting.  Route maps and local info leaflets are included in the pack along with our suggestions on the best places to visit and also refreshment stops.
All the cycling routes have of course been selected to provide the best scenery each day between your overnight stops.

Pre tour accommodation is in Castle Douglas.

Day 1 – The Dundrennan Abbey Tour

Distance – 45 miles. Grade – moderate.
Terrain – some mid-tour hills.
Summary – Head for the coast experiencing several villages and communities before reaching the Abbey. Stop in at Kirkcudbright before returning by a river valley.

Features:
Palnackie – a former busy port beside the River Urr with a visitor attraction nearby.
Orchardton Tower – a 15th century tower house operated by Historic Scotland – the only round one in Scotland.
Auchencairn – small village with shop and intersting millennium garden.
Balcary Bay – a detour we recommend.
Viewpoint – a coastal viewpoint across the Solway Firth including The Lake District of England and a marked information board.
Dundrennan Abbey – a ruined 12th century Cistercian monastery maintained by Historic Scotland (entrance fee).
Kirkcudbright – Scotland’s artists’ town with castle, fishing port, art galleries and the Stewartry museum. We provide an info booklet.

Day 2 – Sweetheart Abbey

Distance – 50 mls. Grade – moderate.
Terrain – Although 50 miles, long flat stretches otherwise undulating with a flat the last 5 miles.
Summary – Follow the National Cycle Route part of the way to New Abbey village with several attractions including Sweetheart Abbey. A coastal route back to Castle Douglas, again with several places of interest.

Features:
Haugh of Urr village – church detour
Drumcoltran Tower – old tower house.                                                                                                                                                              Loch Arthur Tea Room and shop - a new shop and tea room at this rural working community for those with learning disabilities.
New Abbey – Shambellie costume museum, old Corn Mill and Sweetheart Abbey. An award winning tea room.
Kirkbean – village.
Carsethorn – village by the coast.
John Paul Jones birthplace – founder of the US Navy.
Southerness holiday village and lighthouse – with championship golf course.
Mersehead Nature Reserve – on a detour route – run by RSPB.                                                                                                            Needle's Eye - an interesting rock formation on Scottish Wildlife Trust land.                                                                                      Sandyhills Beach – expansive beach and recreational area.
Colvend – small visitor centre, shop and nearby craft farm.
Rockliffe – old fashioned village on the coast with excellent tea room, gallery and hotel.
Mote of Mark – former pre 7th century citadel of Celtic Chieftains with commanding views.
The Muckle Hill and Jubilee Path – another viewpoint and popular path. We also point you to an interesting house garden full of driftwood and stone features.
Kippford village – a popular yachting village. A good p;lace to stop - we suggest places for food.
Dalbeattie – pop. 4000 – several features including excellent local museum and ‘7 Stanes’ mountain biking trailhead nearby.
Palnackie – a former busy port beside the River Urr with a pub and tea room - we have opening hours.
Orchardton Tower – a 15th century tower house – the only round one in Scotland.
Sulwath brewery – a small brewery and visitor centre with tours – a good place to end the tour in town!
Carlingwark Loch – at the edge of Castle Douglas.
……and if not visited on arrival day,
Threave Garden – one of Scotland’s finest gardens. Just outside Castle Douglas and on a cycle route.
Threave Castle – ring the bell for the boatman to take you to the castle on the island – again just outside Castle Douglas.
Castle Douglas ‘food town’ – a popular shopping centre with lots of attractive independent shops.
Tour End