3C – The Cream o'Galloway  Circuit

Start – Any day of the week.
Distance – 24, 25 and 22 miles (39, 40, 35 km).
Grade – Moderate.
Comments – Two nights stay in Kirkcudbright on this tour. A not too difficult tour with several tea room stops including the popular Cream o’ Galloway ice cream farm.
Price – £220 p.p. 

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 – Castle Douglas to Kirkcudbright

Distance – 24 miles plus extras miles options. Grade – moderate.
Terrain – some undulating parts.
Summary – A countryside route with the option to visit several tea rooms for refreshment along the way.

Features:-

Glenlochar barrage – on the River Dee.
Barstobrick – country visitor centre with tea room, equestrian centre and walks.
Twynholm village - with the David Coulthard museum and Cocoa Bean chocolate factory.
Kirkcudbright – Scotland’s artists’ town with castle, fishing port, art galleries and the Stewartry museum. An interesting place to stop and look around. We provide an info booklet.

B&B accommodation in Kirkcudbright.

Day 2 – Circular tour to Cream o’ Galloway Ice Cream Farm and Gatehouse of Fleet.

Distance – 25 miles.    Grade – Moderate.
Terrain – flat to undulating.
Summary – A coast and countryside tour to the Fleet Valley National Scenic Area.

Features:

Dhoon Bay – a bay popular with locals.
Brighouse and Ross Bays – detour options – we outline the merits.
Borgue village – pub with limited opening hours (we provide the details)
The Coo’s Palace – an interesting farm tower.
Kirkandrews kirk – easily missed.
Carrick Shore and Knockbrex Hill Viewpoint – a detour option we point out with views over the Isles of Fleet.
Sandgreen – a beach detour.
Cream o’ Galloway ice cream farm – a great place to stop for a refreshment. More than ice cream to experience!
Cally Palace Hotel – pass the door and call in for afternoon tea!
National Scenic Area – Fleet Valley National Scenic Area and a detour option which we suggest.
Gatehouse of Fleet – an interesting town beside the River Fleet with several attractions which we provide info about.
Twynholm – a detour option with the David Coulthard museum and Cocoa Bean craft chocolate factory (if not visited yesterday).

Same accommodation again in Kirkcudbright.

Day 3 – Kirkcudbright to Castle Douglas via Dundrennan Abbey and Threave.

Distance – 22 miles.    Grade – Moderate / Strenuous.
Terrain – An occasional hill although fairly flat at the end.
Summary – Dundrennan Abbey and Threave Garden and Castle are three popular attractions - all have entrance fees.
Note: This route can be shortened by up to 10 miles if an early departure is required.

Features:

Dundrennan Abbey – a ruined 12th century Cistercian monastery.
Lake District Viewpoint – see our tour notes.
Auchencairn – village with detour option to Balcary Bay.
If not visited on Arrival Day -
Threave Garden – one of Scotland’s finest gardens. Several places of interest which we advise about.
Threave Castle – ring the bell for the boatman to take you to the castle on the island.
Sulwath brewery – a small brewery and visitor centre – a good place to end the tour!
Carlingwark Loch – beside Castle Douglas.
Castle Douglas ‘food town’ – with lots of attractive independent shops.

Tour End