3F - The Home of the Pedal Cycle
Start – Any day of the week.
Distance – 30, 26 and 29 miles (48, 42, 47 km).
Grade – Moderate / strenuous.
Comments – An excellent tour with several other features apart from visiting the smithy where the pedal cycle was invented in 1840 and the Scottish Cycle Museum.
Price – £235 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 Thornhill
Distance – 30 miles. Grade – strenuous.
Terrain – over uplands terrain.
Summary – Quiet countryside roads with two lots of hillside sculptures and Keir Mill smithy being significant features.
Features:
Old Bridge of Urr – picturesque village.
Kirkpatrick Durham – village.
Glenkiln Sculptures – hillside sculptures by Henry Moore, Epstein and Rodin. See our info to find and walk round them.
Andy Goldsworthy sculptures – hillside sculptures of world renowned environmental sculptor.
Cairn Water Valley – cross this scenic river valley.
Dunscore village – with a limited opening hours pub and shop.
River Nith Valley – join the Kirkpatrick Macmillan Cycle Trail with views over this larger valley.
Keir Mill – small village with the nearby smithy where the first pedal cycle was invented in 1840. Also cemetery with Kirkpatrick Macmillan, the inventor is buried. See our info.
Thornhill – picturesque small town with tree lined streets.
B&B accommodation in Thornhill.
Day 2 – Nith Valley Circuit
Distance – 26 miles. Grade – Moderate / Strenuous.
Terrain – undulating countryside around the river valley.
Summary – A spectacular route with stunning cycling countryside and heritage at Drumlanrig Castle.
Features:
Morton Castle – a 4th century ruined castle set beside a loch.
Durisdeer – cul de sac hamlet with 1699 church containing the elaborate Queensberry Marbles.
River Nith – scenic parts with expensive salmon fishing.
Drumlanrig Castle - a 1690 working castle with parts and grounds open to the public. Mountain biking and other features including the Scottish Cycle Museum – see our info.
Penpont village – passed through on some of the detour route options. Good village pub – we provide opening hours info.
Cone Sculpture – One of the world famous Andy Goldsworthy sculptures in the area. We have info on more which could be a cycle route on their own!
Accommodation again in Thornhill.
Day 3 – Thornhill to Castle Douglas
Distance – 29 miles. Grade – Moderate / Strenuous.
Terrain – upland countryside with some hills along the way.
Summary – An upland route passing through some hillside communities including Moniaive as a highlight. Uses part of the National Byways Cycle Route.
Features:
Tynron village – a peaceful small village formerly a refuge for Covenanters.
Moniaive – Attractive village with village cross dating from 1638. We recommend a not to be missed tea house and chocolate shop – see our opening days/ hours info.
Corsock – village with pub (weekly closing days)
Old Bridge of Urr – picturesque village.
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
