6C – Caerlaverock Castle and the Nith Valley
Start – Any day of the week.
Distance – 26, 28, 25, 30, 29 and 24 miles (42, 45, 40, 48, 47 and 39 km).
Grade – Moderate / Strenuous.
Comments – See Dumfries and nearby three cornered castle, then a river valley tour.
Price – £460 per person.
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 Dumfries
Distance – 26 miles. Grade – moderate.
Terrain – flat to undulating.
Summary – a pleasant countryside route through several villages.
Features:
Clarebrand – small village.
Old Bridge of Urr – picturesque village.
Kirkpatrick Durham – A 1783 village which used to have a racecourse!
Glenkiln Reservoir - a loch in a beautiful location with several hillside sculptures by Epstein, Moore and others.
We suggest a short walk trail route.
Terregles – hamlet.
Dumfries – largest town of the region. See our info on places of interest.
B&B accommodation in Dumfries.
Day 2 – Caerlaverock and Ruthwell Circuit.
Distance – 28 miles. Grade – Moderate.
Terrain – flat beside the river estuary then undulating.
Summary – Cycle beside the River Nith estuary to five different places of interest.
Features:
Kingholm Quay – small village with pub by the river estuary.
Glencaple – another small village with a pub.
Caerlaverock Nature Reserve – wetlands for birds operated by RSPB.
Caerlaverock Castle – 3 cornered castle with small visitor centre and tea room.
The Brow Well – visited b Robert Burns.
Ruthwell – with Henry Duncan museum (founder of the savings bank) and nearby runic Ruthwell Stone.
Dumfries – return by The Crichton Royal hospital estate.
B&B accommodation again in Dumfries.
Day 3 – Dumfries to Thornhill
Distance – 25 miles. Grade – Moderate.
Terrain – undulating.
Summary – Cycle along the Cairn Valley and over to the Nith valley to see the smithy where the pedal cycle was invented in 1839 by Kirkpatrick Macmillan.
Features:
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 1839. Also cemetery with Kirkpatrick Macmillan, the inventor is buried. See our info.
Drumlanrig Castle – working castle and Estate owned by the Dukle of Buccleuch with the Scottish Cycle museum and and replica of the original bicycle.
Thornhill – picturesque small town with tree lined streets.
B&B accommodation in Thornhill.
Day 4 – Thornhill Circuit
Distance – up to 30 miles.
Grade – Moderate.
Terrain – Undulating and scenic routes.
Summary – A tour of the scenic Nith Valley and 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. Mountainbiking 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.
Same accommodation.
Day 5 –Thornhill to The Glenkens
Distance – 29 miles. Grade – Moderate / Strenuous.
Terrain – A few hills.
Summary – An upland route passing through some hillside communities including Moniaive as a highlight. Uses some parts 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.
Striding Arches Sculpture – Another Andy Goldsworthy sculpture – detour.
Single Track moorland road – single track road with commanding views over the hills – beware of the wandering sheep!
Earlstoun Loch – views over the Loch and Glenkens.
Loch Lochinvar – on detour route.
St John’s Town of Dalry – hillside town with several features – see our info.
Balmaclellan – another hillside village with Old Mortality statue and Scotland’s only Clog and Shoe Workshop. See our info. A detour option.
The Catstrand – art centre with tea room
New Galloway – Scotland’s smallest Royal Burgh. See our info for recommended pubs and restaurants.
Accommodation in New Galloway.
Day 6 – The Glenkens to Castle Douglas
Distance – 24 miles. Grade – Moderate.
Terrain – generally downstream.
Summary – Cycle beside Loch Ken on the Galloway Kite Trail back to Castle Douglas.
Features:
Loch Ken – nearly 10 miles long.
Bennan Viewpoint – free info! - we don’t really recommend the signposted detour effort!
Mossdale village – with shop – a short detour option to see some red deer.
Laurieston village – with pub with limited opening hours and food!
The Gallery – stunning photographic gallery.
Bellymack red kite feeding station – arrive at the right time to see the daily feeding spectacle.
Ken Dee Marshes Nature Reserve – with bird hides beside Loch Ken.
Balmaghie Kirk – great views across Lock Ken on this hilltop church.
Glenlochar barrage – on the River Dee.
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
