We really enjoyed the well planned routes in the beautiful landscape.
Eva and Flemming, Denmark, July 2012.
Thank-you so much Robin for the super cycling week you organized for us, excellent bikes, no killer hills, the very best B.&.B. at Summerhill, lots of history and pastoral countryside plus the perfect weather you ordered up for us. Greatly appreciated and shall recommend. One thing I forgot was our advanced age, Harry is now over 75 but with your great bikes and having a individual agenda your tour was easily do-able.
Harry & Margaret MacKay, Ottawa, Canada. September 2012.
A repeat visit combined Walking and Cycling holiday
Just to say a HUGE THANK YOU for another excellent stay with you at Summerhill.
We enjoyed a relaxing time and once again the organisation of activities was first class, along with accommodation, hospitality and breakfast. See you next year!
Lizzie and Maggie, England. August 2012.
Repeat Visit Mountain biking Break 2012
(Road Biking and Mountain biking combined in 2011)
2012 - Biking holiday went really well. Biking and hotel went well - well impressed with hotel and food!
Previous year, 2011 Comment - Thanks very much for a wonderful holiday. S and K (kids) had truly fun time and really enjoyed their experience tremendously. We appreciate your detailed and excellent planning, plus the flexibility you built into the daily schedule. We enjoyed both the road trips and the mountain biking. Your local knowedge ensured we had good advice and direction. It was a great family holiday and one I would recommend to any family. Furthermore your accommodation is first class and was a great base for our travels.
Philip and family from Hong Kong, August 2012.
We enjoyed a fantastic week's cycling around Galloway. The itinerary had just the right mix of cycling and sightseeing. By the end of the week we were lapping up all of the detours. There was so much to see: castles, abbeys and even an ice cream factory. The scenery was beautiful and we managed to up a sun tan in the Scottish summer sunshine. We would highly recommend it and Robin's local knowledge and help meant that we got the most out of our trip.
Ves and Chris, from London July 2012.
"We had a fantastic time on our cycling trip. Robin set everything up perfectly. The bikes were great, the route was beautiful, not too hard and not too easy, and the everything went just as planned. Robin and Tina were the most gracious hosts we could imagine. And their house is lovely! We can't recommend Galloway Cycling highly enough."
The Brownsteins from Brooklyn, New York. July 2012.
A Cycling and Golfing holiday
Galloway Cycling Holidays did a marvelous job of setting up the cycling portion of our vacation in Scotland. Robin arranged for two golf games, including club supply, during this part of our trip. We were very happy with the difficulty level of our cycling (intermediate difficulty) and the accommodations were first rate.
Cycling is a great way to see Scotland as you will travel through the countryside and visit small towns. There are castles and historic sites everywhere. Getting some exercise also helps to take away any guilt of eating too much as the food was great and available at every pub.
We enjoyed our entire trip to Scotland and definitely recommend Galloway Cycling Holidays.
Rob and Karen, ‘Rob and Chris from Ontario, Canada’ July 2012.
Thanks so much Robin and Tina!”
We really enjoyed the well planned routes in the beautiful landscape.
Flemming and Eva, Copenhagen, June 2012.
Denise really appreciates the time & effort you must have spent in tailoring the route to meet her requirements. As a non-lover of steep hills, she was in her element & was proud to say that she only had to walk twice for very short periods during the whole 5 day route. In addition, there were plenty of attractions every day as well as the beautiful scenery & we found a warm & friendly welcome, together with huge breakfasts, at all the Guesthouses. I can honestly say that EVERYONE we met EVERYWHERE last week was so helpful & friendly & the memories we will take from the week will be treasured for a long long time. Rest assured - it certainly won't be the last time we visit Dumfries & Galloway.
Thanks again for making it all happen
David & Denise, England June, 2012.
We never did get back to you after our holiday. Reckon we gave you all the feedback etc when you met us in Creetown. Thanks for doing that; it was good to have the chat. After we left you we found our way through Gatehouse etc as you suggested and spent a while at the beach at Carrick before stopping off at the friendly "local" at Borgue for something to eat before arriving back in Kbt at dusk. Thanks for organising the trip; it all worked out very well. The fact that we had seven days with no day time rain, and five of these sunny was fantastic too - a bright memory in an otherwise poor weather summer. We attach some photos as a reminder of a sunny bit of the country this summer and the nice place where you organise cycling trips!
Ann and Fred Nelson, Edinburgh, July 2011.
My husband and I are spending a year in Scotland on an academic sabbatical.The cycling adventure that Robin set up for us was a perfect break from the arrival frustrations of purchasing a car, opening bank accounts and renting a flat. We cycle regularly at home in Connecticut. Robin was able to quickly ascertain enough about us to organise a route that was specifically tailored to us in terms of our interests, distance goals and abilities. It included the flexibility of adding or skipping some extra loops depending on whether we were feeling up for more challenging distance or a shorter route to a hot shower and a good meal. The scenery was spectacular and the majority of the miles were on tiny traffic-free back roads with plenty of optional historical and cultural diversions. The accommodations were comfortable and run by the most delightful people. It was a near perfect biking holiday - "near" perfect only because Robin couldn't plan the weather as he planned our trip.
Lori and Dave, Connecticut, USA, August 2011.
Our trip was well organised with tailor made routes which met our requirements. The scenery was spectacular and lots of interesting things to see on the way. The B&B's were all very hospitable and made us feel very welcome. The range of scenery - lochs, glens, moorland, forest and sandy beaches - was beyond my expectations and I feel I would like to come back and see more. As a cyclist, I really appreciated the extensive network of roads which were virtually treffic-free and generally in a good state of repair.
Thank youi very much for a great holiday.
Jenny Hoadley, Bristol, England, August 2011.
This was a second choice cycling holiday for us. Last minute find - had been unable to travel to France due to strikes. In the event more than compensated for not going to France - The Scottish Riveria as introduced to us by Robin was brilliant. Organisation and B and B's were all top rate - no faults at all. Comfortable, outstanding breakfasts and our hosts were all friendly and enthusiastic. Route planning, maps, instructions were reliable precise and accurate.
Robin had put hard work and thought into the routes and distances. Two of us thought the routes easy, two did not!!
Information about places of interest on route were excellent, escpecially the photography gallery of Phil McMenemy in Laurieston. A great find.
Altogether a good 5 days - with thanks to Robin and Tina (whose elegant breakfast had to be seen and eaten to be believed)
Mary, Josie, Frank and Terry, England, Sept 2010.
Thank you for your hospitality and for organizing a weekend biking trip with such short notice. It was the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. I'm convinced that I have to return to see more of your beautiful country (and to have more of that amazing fish in Kirkudbright!).
Best wishes,
Carrie DuMars, USA 2010.
Steve and I wanted to thank you for a fantastic holiday. You gave us a fantastic trip, accommodating our particular needs to the finest detail. As an inexperienced cyclist, your routes, solid, well-equipped bikes etc and plenty of encouragement enabled me to really ENJOY cycling. The 93 miles have NOT deterred us from wanting to book another holiday with you. Your hospitality was second to none, the breakfasts lavish, which prepared us well for the cycling ahead. You also offered us the flexibility of staying an extra night without cycling which gave us just the refreshment we needed. We would recommend Galloway Cycling most highly and encourage would-be customers to go for it! You will not be disappointed.'
Chris and Steve, Chelmsford, England 2010.
Just wanted to send a note to say a massive thank you for your efforts in organising our cycling holiday earlier this week – it was just what we were looking for and something we would certainly consider doing again soon.
The routes, distances and terrain were spot on – you obviously researched them well in advance – and they were just what we were looking forward in terms of challenge. Some of the scenery was stunning – we especially enjoyed the route alongside Loch Ken – and it was great to have the option of several detours if we fancied them. The accommodation and hospitality were also of an exceptional standard and we were certainly well fed. Please pass on our compliments again to your wife and the other two hostesses and thank them for making us feel so welcome. We will have no hesitations in recommending your services to other friends and we wish you well in all your future ventures. Thanks again.
Elayne and Graham, England, 2010.
As the year draws to a close one reflects on adventures tried and accomplished over the preceding months. For my wife and me, one of the undoubted highlights was a trip to Scotland where we spent a week bicycling in the Galloway District. We did a self guided tour, with our bags transported to day’s end hotels and B&Bs along the way. Our itinerary and lodging were set up by Robin of Galloway Tours. It was truly fabulous. We enjoyed everything about it. The bikes were first rate, as was the route, the scenery and the accommodation. The people met along the way were universally friendly and hospitable. We specified the number of miles we thought we could do a day and Robin set up a route that took us along small quiet roads and paths, into valleys, over hills and through forests. For anyone looking to bike in Scotland and in particular if you are looking to ride in a quiet incredibly scenic part of the realm then this is an area you should look at and Robin is the man you should contact. No route is without its challenges and for those of you that like the vertical just ask Robin to put the “Tynron Terror” in your route plan. It’s long, straight up and when the wind is blowing at gale force in your face and the rain is coming down you are incredulous as to why this region is referred to as the “gentle low lands”. Thanks to Robin and his wife Tina. You made it a great holiday from start to finish!
Highest recommendation.
Andy and Susan, Toronto, Canada, 2010.
We want to write and thank you for a wonderful holiday. All the routes were very detailed and well thought out. It was difficult to decide which was the best! We are left with a very good impression of what a great place to cycle that corner of Scotland is. The very best food we had was lunch at Port Logan Inn – a bit pricey but very generous portions. The Tigh na Mara clearly had a very busy pub restaurant so there would have been a lot of cars in and out on a noisy gravelled surface right up to our cabin. We enjoyed all the other accommodation you arranged for us: all different but everyone extremely hospitable. Just a note about the Hillcrest – I spotted from their website they do evening meals, but found on arrival these have to be ordered at breakfast time, so for someone staying one night they would need a phone call ahead of time. The tea rooms at Castle Kennedy was also good for biker sustenance. We also had a good meal at the pub in Bladnoch. This might be worth mentioning.
James and Judith, Leamington Spa. England 2010.
Jayne and I wanted to thank you for what was one of the best travel holidays we ever have had. It truly was the trip of a lifetime. The bicycling was fantastic, but what made it all super special for us was to be enveloped in your warm and so gracious and accommodating hospitality and genuine friendliness and concern for us. (and that I think Robin is your USP (unique selling proposition) -- it's rare to find such personal service!
Mark and Jayne, Florida, USA 2010.
I just wanted to take the time to thank you and Tina again for the wonderful trip you organized, your generous hospitality in Castle Douglas, and for sharing a tiny piece of your lives with us. It was a great pleasure.
Marc and I are back at home, having finished a very intense week of work, but still feeling the afterglow of our trip.
The library just informed me that they have got "Five Red Herrings" on hold for me... Now I'll be able to not only read it and envision it, but even pronounce the names right (...sort of).
Best wishes to you both.
Karina and Marc, San Francisco, USA 2010.
We loved our cycling trip and have many wonderful memories of the trip. We wished we had different bikes, but that was all part of the adventure. You are an excellent host and took care of everything very well. We absolutely loved the countryside that we rode through and the people we met were great. The people of SW Scotland are warm, very open and welcoming people.
Again, many thanks for making our cycling holiday a wonderful and very memorable trip! Thank you, also, for the photos.
Terry, California, USA 2010.
My husband and I are casual weekend cyclists who were going to visit a friend in Edinburgh and wanted to add 4 days of easy-ish biking in lovely southern Scotland into our trip. We were so lucky to book with Galloway Cycling Holidays.
Easy to book, He responded to our emails very quickly (which is amazing when you see how busy this man is, and how he personally takes great care of his clients as well as responding to emails.) We gave him the basics of what we were looking for, and he created a custom trip for us, 4 days, 3 B&B's. Part of the package was bikes that were fit to us and worked well. Robin Hogg (owner/operator) moved our luggage to each new B&B daily. Each day we had choices on how to get to the next spot. Options were long and short, all included good sights, interesting & tasty things to do. Daily maps showing the route, sights/interests, and hills. Detailed and customized, easy to follow.
Other travellers we met along the way who were travelling their own customized tours with Galloway were very nice. Dumfries & Galloway is a beautiful part of Scotland, rolling hills, never too steep. Lovely at every turn.
Lodging - we started and ended our trip at Summerhill which is run by Tina (Mrs Hogg) absolutely beautiful, brand new house, the best accommodations. Tina is such a lovely lady and her breakfasts were delicious!
All the B&B's on the trip were recommendable. Nothing fancy, pretty standard, but they had everything you need and the ladies that ran each one would bend over backwards for you. When we arrived soaking wet, Helen at Bobbin dried our clothes (in an actual dryer, so hard to find in the UK), Pat at Blaven drove us into town and back again. Always the breakfasts were tasty and plentiful.
Overall just a terrific experience, I'm really glad we went.
I highly recommend the trips and working with Robin Hogg who seems to take personal pride in making his clients' experiences the best they can be.
April and David, San Francisco 2010.
Thank you both for your warm hospitality. I truly enjoyed the routes you set and the sights you recommended. Thank you for making this first ‘solo’ trip so memorable.
Deana from Texas, 2010.
I’m just writing to say a big "thank you" for organising my holiday - it was one of the best holidays I've ever been on and I'll definitely be back, in fact I've just been looking on your website to see what my next holiday will be! I had intended cycling half of the Danube cycle path next summer, but I now think I'd find it a bit dull in comparison to cycling in Dumfries and Galloway.
I thoroughly enjoyed staying at your new house, I think my sister is fed up listening to how lovely it is! Tina also has a real gift for making people feel at home. Kind regards and best wishes,
Lizzie, Scotland, 2010.
We were a group of 6 middle-aged real-ale connoisseurs from the midlands who spent a weekend touring the countryside of Galloway. Robin gave us an ideal route that was both scenic and included approprate refreshment stops along the way (including a couple of real belters!). We would all happily return & would heartily recommend Galloway Holidays as a great way of exploring this beautiful area of Scotland.
Rob, Loz, Neil, Dave, Malcolm & Jez - Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England, 2010.
I said I'd drop you a line to sum up the holiday so here goes:
'A great 'get-away from it all' trip. A well-organised tour through beautiful and varying terrain on quiet roads perfect for cycling. Lots to see and interesting places to visit.'
regards,
Richard from Bristol, England, 2010.
Robin - thanks again for organizing a great holiday for us....I thought you did a superb job with route selection and B&B choices. I appreciate all your work and we all really enjoyed meeting and getting to know you better. I thought Scotland was a lovely country with very fine people and hopefully us 6 Americans made an equally good impression. Rest assured that if we plan a return to Galloway region in the future we will let you know and if you are ever in NY please call or email in advance so we can connect. Best wishes to you! That was the best vacation I have ever taken.
Thank you for a job well done.
Mark and Kevin, New York State, USA, 2010.
How I wish that you were next door, and not 450 miles away. What an amazing 2 days. Mc Moab looks so smooth on U Tube, but is certainly not. The trails all looked far easier too. But, I would not have had anything different. I did not ride all of course, but I soaked up the atmosphere, rode what I felt safe to do, and had such a memorable time. The last bit of the first day allowed me to throw the bike around like a teenager to make it so very special. The rain on day 2 did not dampen the mood at all. Such a wonderful contrast, and the scenery! I saw Buzzards, Bluebells, Hares that we see so infrequently at home. Deer attempting to climb the side of such steep hills too. As I was as wet as wet can be, and had struggled to keep my rear tyre inflated, I called it a day. Huge, huge smiles! We took a peep at the deer, and thoroughly enjoyed the feeding of Red Kites. The Forest here will feel so gentle now! Best wishes and many, many thanks. Tricia.
I would like to add my thanks and say the hotel was great and your prep work made me feel very easy that Trish was safe out there. Nothing to change, all great. Thanks again. Dave.
Trish and Dave, New Forest, England, 2010.
We are all very satisfied with our journey and cycling. There were really fine, safe bikes and excellent personal service. So please, accept our humble suggestions fore improvements of you’re cycling tours.
As we all are from the countryside and often go out in the woods for a picnic, it had been great if there on the daytrips been possible to have a beer and something small to eat on a local pub. That is the only thing we really missed! Ask your cycling guest if they wish to bring there own lunch and drinks, or if they want to go to a pub during the cycling trip.
Tord were also very stubborn and insisting to pump the tire instead of fixing it. During the last day it became worse and we had to plan for pumping stops instead of make stops at some fine sight. Maybe you should insist more for helping out….
All of the B&B was excellent, with warm and gentle owners. Fine rooms, clean and in good order, and we must not forget the huge breakfast. Haggis got you in to a sustainable cycling shape….
However, what we remember the most is the kind and generous Scottish people we have met every day. Always glad and prepared to help.
Many thanks from all of us for a very enjoyable time in your lovely part of Scotland. We had a really good time and loved every minute of it!
So, who knows we may meet again in the future
Best regards and skål (cheers in Swedish)
Sven-Olov, Marina, Tord and Kristina, Sweden, 2010
A seasoned visitor to Scotland I had never thought of Dumfries and Galloway as a destination, but rather (like my home county) a place to pass though.
The 'Origins of cycling' tour put paid to that error and I found that it has a remarkably advanced awareness of what it has to offer - which is a great deal. From lonely sweeping viaducts to quaint tea-rooms I found the area delightful and the accommodation first class, without needing to rise up the stars! The organisation and friendliness matched the best of what I had previously experienced in Scotland and the flexibility of the packages mean that I can revisit the area in the future.
John, Bedfordshire, England, 2010.
As promised I send you and Tina greetings from Copenhagen.
This is my first day back at work after a fabulous summer holiday. Hanne and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip and especially your house and warm hospitality. Edinburgh was almost a culture shock after the open ranges. Too many tourists, dreadful noise and deadly traffic almost spoiled the fun.
I hope you are well and do let me know if you ever decide to visit Copenhagen.
Kind regards,
Puk and Hanne, Copenhagan, 2010.
I agree completely with Bernhard and Christiane and what they are feeling after this super bike tour.
It was great and I can recommend to all future groups this round trip.
Our group has appreciated very much the beautiful landscape, the hospitality, the different and nice accommodations.
Thanks to you Robin as well as to your wife and Allison for this super job. Sure that the future will be sonny for Galloway Holidays with such good services !
Rene Dutoit, Cyclorando-RM, Switzerland, 2010.
The trip was great. We especially liked the cycling combined with the different visits. The landscape and the nature in Galloway are beautiful. We had a very good time and we particularly liked to be a small group. You worked this out very well with René. We hope to see you again some time.
Christiane and Bernhard, Switzerland, 2010.
I wanted to thank you one more time for arranging a fantastic vacation. Everything was perfect. As I told you in Castle Douglas, please feel free to give out my name and email address as a reference. I will give you a well deserved glowing recommendation.
Stu Levitz and family, USA. August 2008.
This is Doug Thacker writing to send my appreciation for a great holiday in southwest Scotland. I gladly send my recommendation to anyone interested in cycling through your beautiful country. Your excellent work with the travel arrangements and route planning made the tour enjoyable, and your knowledge of the area and hospitality made the trip most rewarding and memorable. You're especially kind for letting me use your own bicycle for several days. I will tell my friends in the states about the great experience I had using Galloway Holidays! Thank you for all your hard work!
Doug Thacker, USA. August, 2008.
The trip was so well planned. Your maps and description of the daily tour a big help on the road. It was a great pleasure to ride on the narrow roads with hardly any traffic only hills, cattle, sheep and a wonderful nature. The pleasure of riding through the woods and countryside. We enjoyed coming to the hotels where we felt, they were expecting us and treated us with great hospitality. We still talk about the good meals, the landscapes, the friendly people. I have recommended the trip to so many people.
Rudy Hougaard and Winnie Andersen, Copenhagen, August 2008.
Just a quick line to thank you for a really enjoyable holiday. The routes you selected were exactly suited to us and without your local knowledge we would have missed a lot the area has to offer. We particularly appreciated you stopping by us on the road a couple of times to check all was well.
Cathy and Arthur, Devon. July 2007
Thank you again for our short break last October. We enjoyed it very much indeed! You provided us such a warm welcome, our B&B was very comfortable and the tours you suggested met our interests and our possibilities very well. They were perfectly organised including plans, opening hours of museums, pub recommendations, and bus timetables. We most enjoyed the cycling tours on narrow streets with only little traffic, especially the one to Kirkcudbright. We would recommend your service to anyone and wish you all the best!
Cornelia and Daniel from Karsluhe, Germany 2007.
Thanks again for a great, great tour. We LOVED it. All of it. It was the most beautiful, serene, interesting and pleasurable of vacations. Thanks in large part to your expert organization and personal care and attention. We appreciated it very much.
The Bafficos, New Jersey. June 2006.
After a while to reflect this is a list of all the things we liked about Galloway Cycling Tours:
* the design of the week was geared towards the collective abilities of 4 x 50+ people
* accommodation was sorted on the needs of the group
* the holiday was easy to book (2 phone calls and 2 e-mails)
* good back-up service whilst on the route
* routes had easy to follow maps and itineries
* a great area to visit on bikes with plenty to see and do
The Holton's and Allisons, England. August , 2007.
Thank you very much Galloway Cycling Tours for an excellent trip - I really enjoyed the excellent routes you had mapped out for me and suspect that South West Scotland must be Scotland's best kept secret! It was a wonderful cycle route and on the main as flat as I wanted. It is perfect cycling country for someone who has never been on a cycle holiday before and all your directions were spot on. The variation of routes were great and the contrast between inland and coastal scenery was spectacular. I felt very safe as a lone cyclist and enjoyed all the accommodation along the way and it was very handy to have it all pre-booked and paid for in advance. I was blessed with fantastic weather for my week. The luggage transfer was good too. I found all the Scottish people in the area very friendly and hospitable.
Susie from Dublin, June 2006.
I am extremely impressed with how detail-oriented Robin is. He was the first to reply to my e mail inquiry (some of the others don't seem to check their e mail!) and sent me the most detailed and flexible proposal. He responded to my follow-up emails same-day. He clearly takes a great pride in his business and puts the customer first. I really appreciated the very personal service, especially as a first-time visitor to Scotland. I felt we got fantastic value for our money and would very strongly recommend his cycling tours to other potential customers.
Megan McClellan from New York.
Galloway Cycling organized for me a first-rate introduction to the beauty of south-west Scotland. The service was terrific from start to end. The routes were tailored to my abilities and offered spectacular scenery. Turn-by-turn directions meant I was never lost -- and I always knew help was just a phone call away. The excellent selection of comfortable bed and breakfasts, owned by friendly and helpful locals, were welcome at the end of a strenuous day on the road.
Brent from Los Angeles.
I wanted to thank you for setting up our biking trip last month. We had a wonderful time and were extremely pleased with all the arrangements and assistance. We have been on a number of biking trips and this trip compares very well with our experiences in Canada and the United States.....I think the one point that stands out in the tour was the flexibility and the personal service you gave us..... Thank you very much for all your help in setting up our vacation and making it a memorable one.
Brian from Maryland.
I’ve taken many bike trips – Spain, Chile, Nova Scotia and New Zealand – but my trip to the Galloway area with Galloway Cycling was one of the best. The routes through the countryside and along the sea were beautiful and varied and it was fabulous to bike in an area that had so many different routes and so few cars! Sometimes, I wondered if I were on a bike path or a regular road. Additionally, the villages were numerous and interesting to explore. ( I liked that the distances between the villages wasn’t too great – that was more interesting to me.)
Betty Grant, USA. 2005.
Second time with Galloway Cycling Holidays with hopefully more to come. A beautiful area which seems to have been missed by the majority of travellers. Quiet country roads and forest trails lead to rugged coastline, quaint villages and interesting small towns. Robin looks after you from start to finish providing advice and enthusiastic encouragement (As well as taking our gear to the next stop). All the accommodation was comfortable and welcoming at the end of a long day on the road. A great experience and well worth the trip to the toes of Scotland.
Pam and Ron, Abernethy.
Very well organised, …flexible and tailored to the individual, - a personalised service which I can recommend to cyclists who are new to organised cycling holidays.
Jutta, from Leeds.
Back home now after a great week's holiday. Many thanks for your clear and detailed guidance notes for our routes. Also for your excellent choice of hotels which suited us fine (not to mention arranging the brilliant weather as wel!!). We would definitely like to return to the area again as we realise we have only seen quite a small part of it so far. Our only comment is that cycle storage at a couple of hotels was rather limited, namely the Steam Packet and the Clachan Arms. However these were otherwise very nice hotels for us.
Joan and Peter, Ponteland, June 2006.
Hi Robin - we had a lovely time biking, your hospitality, que sheets, history and assorted information were just fantastic.
Pat and Tom, New Jersey July 2006
We had a great day on Thursday cycling beside Loch Ken, wonderful location. We had a lovely pub lunch, chatted to the landlord and a few locals and then biked on to see the Red Kites - amazing. I wanted to pen you a line anyway as I felt I had to congratulate you on an absolutely fantastic holiday. The attention to detail that you showed in providing 2 lovely B&B's, both with welcoming landlady's & hearty breakfasts to set us up for the day, as well as instructions and maps for each route was more than I could have hoped. I found the routes really easy to follow and must admit I loved the selected points of interest that you gave us along the way, which just added another dimension to them. It was also rather comforting for me to know that if I had any problems you were in the background to assist. I cant thank you or praise you enough for your hard work in arranging the various routes, suiting each one to our needs and altering the itinerary in the middle of the week after a strenuous cycle the day before in the heat. I would definitely recommend your tours to my friends and family and look forward to hearing about the proposed walking tours that you are looking into for the future.
Gillian and Emily, Yorkshire - July, 2006.
Dear Robin,This is just a short note to thank you for organizing a great holiday in the Galloway area of Scotland. We found the trip well organized especially the maps and written directions without which we would have been horribly lost. We would definitely recommend the off road leg we took from Newton Stewart back to Castle Douglas. Kind regards
Adrian & Anita Hulbert, Cape Town, South Africa.
...we are both agreed that we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and congratulate you on putting together such a first class package for us; not only in terms of cycling but also the variety of interesting places which you directed us to. We both enjoyed the visit to the hydro station at Kirkudbright and Threave Castle and gardens but, the highlight was the distillery visit for obvious reasons!!!
The terrain was ideal for us and the distance were fine - some days we did a bit more than suggested - particularly on the Glen Trool day - perhaps that was because we pedalled faster just to evade the midges which took a particular liking to us. Obviously the fantastic weather was a great bonus and even though it was very hot it did not spoil the experience. We shall always remember the lunch we had at Balcary Bay Hotel amidst idyllic surroundings and views.
In short, then, we have no criticism of our weeks cycling and the accommodation which you arranged for us. We particularly enjoyed our stay at the place in Newton Stewart. I am assuming that it was you who returned whatever it was that Rob left at Castle Douglas - above and beyond the call of duty but many thanks.
Finally, one suggestion which you may like to consider for the future. A big part of any holiday for many people is the anticipation. Would it be worth considering letting people have routes before they arrive so that they have opportunity to study them beforehand. I know that we would both have valued that.
I hope that this reflection may be of some use to you and please feel free to use it in any way you see fit.
All best wishes for a successful venture.
Geoff & Robert, Yorkshire
I just wanted to thank you very much for organizing such a great trip in Galloway. We had a wonderful week - gorgeous scenery, tearooms and pubs that take you back in a timewarp and very warm and friendly people. We really appreciated your attention to detail and concern to make sure we enjoyed the tour. We'll definitely recommend your services.
Nicola and Parents from Christchurch, New Zealand. September 2006
Great to hear from you and to recall the wonderful cycling adventure we had in Galloway. I'm sending a few pictures that we took on our trip. You did a marvelous job of organizing our tour and we have recommended you and Galloway Cycles to our friends.
Will and Char Nuessle, Hawaii, August 2006.
I just opened the picture you sent and it is wonderful. It captures a very happy couple at the end of a wonderful adventure. We had such a great time in Scotland and did some amazing riding on our tandem. It was great. I am happy your season went so well. It is a tribute to your hospitality and the beauty of Scotland. Once again we thank you for all you have done for us.
Herb and Cre, California, September 2006 - second visit.
The cycling was wonderfuland well-organized, the views were beautiful (a postcard photo around every corner) and the accommodations were perfect. All of this was in line precisely with what we had requested when we placed our reservations with you. We will be recommending you to all of our cycling friends!
T Lynn and Mary from Texas, May 2006.
Thank you for arranging our holiday which we enjoyed enormously. Our route was well planned and our accommodation and list of sights to see was excellent. We a had a real adventure, only the weather could have been better...but we did reasonably well with that. Particular thanks to Sadie who set the scene with a warm welcome. Thank you.
Mike,Jean and Sue from Cheshire, England - August, 2007.
Thank you for organising a superb trip. The days were all about the right length (for us), with a good variety of upland and lowland riding. I think we all preferred the uplands with long climbs rewarded by interesting descents. The undulating landscape in the west with continuous short climbs and descents was probably less interesting; and the flat stretches on day 5 were frustrating because for once the wind was in the east!
* Day1 was a first rate route - lovely scenery and cycling.
* Day 2 was one of our best ever day's cycling.
* On Day 3 we covered over 60 miles including the lighthouse at Corsewall Point.
* Day 4 - the only serious rain we had - for 1 hour - with the Mull of Galloway impressive and Logan Gardens even more so.
* Day 5 - the worst day with 35 miles straight into the wind.
* Day 6 - thanks for suggesting a short-cut which got us back to Castle Douglas by mid-day to get us home for our evening event.
Your accommodation's were all excellent except at Thornhill - suggest you use another one nearby. I can't imagine a better view from the one in Portpatrick. As for Food and Drink, most of the places were verry good to excellent, with us being too early or too late for lunch on a couple of occasions. Overall the planning worked well.
Mike Kinsey Trio Cycling Group, Yorkshire, England - July 2007.
Galloway Cycling gave me exactly the cycling holiday I asked for. Peaceful, beautiful countryside and a cosy B&B each day. I never felt so comfortable or so well looked after. Everything I’d need had been anticipated by Galloway Cycling and their thoughtful staff. Accurate and detailed maps and directions allowed me to cycle without a thought to routes or accommodations. I could just enjoy the scenery, local attractions, the locals, and pedal up to a welcome and warm reception at marvellous Bed and Breakfasts. I’ve been recommending Galloway Cycling to all my friends at home and we’re already planning our trip for next year!
Libbie from San Francisco, 2004.
This was the best cycling experience we've ever had. The scenery was breathtaking all along the route which had been carefully planned out for us. Robin was a wonderful guide and seemed genuinely happy to be going above and beyond his role of tour operator to give us advice and show us around. I'd recommend Galloway Cycling Holidays to anyone. (One caveat:don't plan to do too many miles in one day. You'll want plenty of time to be a tourist.)
Chris from New York, 2005.
Jeannie and I had a wonderful time in Galloway – we’ve got such good memories of our holiday and really appreciate your efficient and easy way of making everything just right for us. As two lady pensioners we thoroughly enjoyed our tailor-made cycling holiday. Your attention to detail and very clear presentation of maps ensured a completely carefree time.
Helen and Jeannie, Whitehaven and Bicester - May 2006.
Our carefully planned routes were easy to follow and well matched to our cycling experience, taking us through a variety of beautiful scenery with points of interest indicated along the way. Each day was a little adventure culminating in kind hospitality at a superb selection of B&B accommodation en route. Thank you for a happy memorable holiday.
Maureen and Rosemary, West Midlands.
We truly enjoyed every aspect of the trip!! The accomodations were excellent and the daily routes and plans were right on the mark. Though we had no trouble completing the routes, there were times when we thought you maybe understated the hills. But then again, it is the Scotland coast after all!!
From the planning stages several months ago, to our initial meeting in Lockerbie and on through the week, our total experience of working with you on our holiday was nothing short of exceptional!! We would gladly recommend you to anyone who is seeking a unique cycling/hiking adventure in Dumfries and Galloway area!
Rich Reynolds party from Pittsburg, USA. June 2007
I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful holiday I had biking in your beautiful country. The route you set out for Kim and I was well thought out, and I appreciated being off main roads and really seeing the countryside. One of my favorite riding days was down to the Mull of Galloway--so open and undeveloped--you would never see that in the States. The accommodations were comfortable, and everyone was very friendly. I would recommend your service to anyone, and I would definetly make a return trip to Scotland. Thanks again. Linda.
Linda and I are back home. We loved the cycling tour. Once again, Thank you so much for your attention to the details of our trip. We will truly remember the experience for a life time. We both loved Scotland and hope to make it back again. Feel free to use us as references for the quality of your tours.
Kim and Linda, Connecticut, USA., September 2007.
We're back in Calgary now, just recovering from the jet lag and the cold that I developed on the trip. We had a great time in Edinburgh at the fringe, but the cycling was really the highlight of the trip for us. Thanks again for such professional service. We'll send photos if we get some good ones. Take care.
Maggie and Brian, Calgary, Canada - July 2007.
Thank you so much for a very well organised and versatile trip around West Scotland in July 2007 with Galloway Cycling Holidays. The bikes were really good and with all the equipment: bags, bike helmet and all that you could possibly need. The equipment was also in really good condition which is essential for the trip together with a well detailed day program, which can be expanded / changed according to energy and or fitness. On top of that there was superb service during the whole trip from the owner: Robin Hogg. The versatile nature of West Scotland is a solace for both mind and soul, there is both forest and beach, mountains and valleys – simply a beautiful nature, picturesque villages and plenty of wonderful cooking. The trip is like herbal medicine for people with stress – a pure energy charger on two wheels.
The numerous masses of VERY curious cows, sheep and other animals you meet along the way also helps the energy to stay up. Every day we would meet a lot of forthcoming and incredibly friendly people with a great sense of humour, both on the road, in the pubs also a kind soul that drove us back to find a bicycle lock we had forgotten. The Conclusion of this is: you can become very addicted to going on this trip with such a wonderful companionship from beginning to end. Thanks for a Wonderful trip Robin.
Annie Koch-Knudsen and Leif Rasmussen, Denmark. July 2007.
