Castle Douglas & Kirkcudbright

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Castle Douglas
Day 2: Castle Douglas, flexible miles
Day 3: Castle Douglas, flexible miles
Day 4: Castle Douglas - Kirkcudbright, 11 mi. (18 km)
Day 5: Kirkcudbright, flexible miles
Day 6: Kirkcudbright, flexible miles
Day 7: Kircudbright, flexible miles
Day 8: End of tour

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Castle Douglas
You will be met at the Lockerbie train station and transferred to Castle Douglas. You might choose to go on the 10-mile bike ride along the old railway to Threave Castle and Nature Reserve. Taking place on car-free tracks, this is the perfect ride to get you acquainted with your bike and GPS navigation.

Day 2 and 3: Castle Douglas
Castle Douglas is a historic market town that sits on the old military road linking Scotland with Ireland. It is described as the 'Food Town' without a single multinational on the main street, a feeling of having stepped back to the time of Ma and Pa shops. There are three high-quality butchers, two bike shops, a gentleman’s outfitter and more than enough excellent cafes. This is the town where the locals come to shop or sell their sheep or cows. Our top recommendation is a trip to Earth’s Crust bakery for your picnic supplies. There are traditional pubs, an award-winning microbrewery and even a quality fish and chips shop.

Sample rides:
Castle Douglas: Palnackie and Orchardton Tower, 15.2 mi. (24 km)
A ride past Threave Gardens to Orchardton Tower, an unusual free-standing round-tower, and on to the small harbor at Palnackie. Here you can enjoy the Flounders Community Cafe. You could either turn back towards Castle Douglas from here or continue the dead-end road to Glen Isle to see the Scottish Rivera and the white houses of Kippford from the other side of the firth.

Castle Douglas, Kirkpatrick Durham and Corsock, 22 mi. (36 km)
This loop shows you the other side of Castle Douglas - the rolling countryside, where the sheep and cows are reared. You will see the higher hills of the Glen Kens in the distance, cycle along the beautiful River Urr, go through small villages and experience typical life in the Galloway countryside.

Day 4: Castle Douglas - Kirkcudbright, 11 mi. (18 km)
A journey along the Solway coast with pretty fishing villages and breathtaking views of the coastline. On the horizon across the Firth, the mountains of the English Lake District are seen. There is Dundrennan Abbey to explore where Mary Queen of Scots spent her final days in Scotland. Balcarry Bay is well worth a visit with its beautiful sandy beach and the Auchencairn cafe. The 'Artist Town' of Kirkcudbright is your destination today with its galleries and craft shops. There is always an option to go directly there.

Day 5, 6, and 7: Kirkcudbright
With its pastel-colored houses, castle, numerous galleries and the fact that it still has real family-owned and operated shops and a working harbor, Kirkcudbright is delightful. You can ride out along the coast, into the hills, or a bit of both - you make the choice every day. Pick from a range of 10, 20, 30, 40 miles routes or let us know your interest so we can customize routes for you.

If you want to take a full or half day off the bikes, this is the place to wander around slowly. Go down the narrow alleys or sit and watch the fishing boats.

Sample rides:

Kirkcudbright round trip to Balcary Bay, 33 mi (52 km)
Out of Kirkcudbright and along to Kirkcudbright Bay you'll enjoy cycling next to the sea. This quiet bay was part of the American War of Independence when John Paul Jones lay siege to Kirkcudbright.

Along the coast road with amazing view across to Solway Firth to England and the Lake District you will the pass the ruins of Dundrennan Abbey, a focus in power and history and Mary Queen of Scots' final stay in Scotland before being taken to England.

Onwards along the road to Balcary Bay - one of the most beautiful roads in the area. It has a cafe at its start and a sandy beach at its end! Heston Island off to the left was the final stronghold of Scottish Kings.

The returning route takes you along the 'High Road' from Gelston to Kirkcudbright, passing the cemetery where Billy Marshall, King of the Gypsies in the 17th/18th century, is honoured with a beautiful grave stone - did he really die aged 125?

Kirkcudbright round trip to Gatehouse of Fleet, 27 mi (43 km)
This ride takes you along the coast where Viking castles and harbors were established. There are secluded beaches to visit, offering you time to look for 'sea glass'.

The best ice cream in Scotland at the Cream O’ Galloway is ahead. Then, take the national Cycle Route 7 through Cally Woods (with the Cally Tower and Cally Palace) to the beautiful small town of Gatehouse of Fleet. There are some great cafes, with the Iron Brew being our favorite.

Kirkcudbright loop to Rhonehouse and Laurieston, 27 mi (43 km)
This route takes you to Ken-Dee Marshes Reserve, where the Galloway Hoard was found. This Viking era treasure, with an estimated value of $4 million, is amongst the most unique ever found - look it up! You'll follow the quiet road around to Laurieston, home to Laurieston Gallery, a cafe and a colorblind photographer, then back through the beautiful countryside to Kirkcudbright.

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Accommodations

You will be accommodated in Douglas House in Castle Douglas and the Selkirk Arms in Kirkcudbright. If the preferred hotel is not available, and if alternative accommodation is necessary, the price will be adjusted accordingly but only after approval from the client. If Douglas House is fully booked you will be offered the Kings Arms Hotel. If the Selkirk Arms is fully booked you will be offered the Gladstone Guesthouse at the same price or the Baytree Guesthouse, which is actually £15 less per person.

Bicycles

Standard Bike

Ridgeback & Specialized Hybrid Bikes

• Comport geometry
• Ridgeback - lower-angled top tube
• Alloy frame
• Disc brakes
• Shimano gearing 20 speeds
• Schwalbe 700 x 42 tires
• Rear rack

Accessories

• Helmets
• Pannier
• Emergency repair kit
• Pump

Electric Bike

Wisper Wayfarer Step-Through

• Hand-welded, 6061 alloy step-through
• Wisper Super Hi Torque (100Nm) Mid Drive 43.2V 250W Nominal
• Lithium Battery, 700Wh Max Range = 90 miles (140km)
• Shimano Alivio 9 speed with Rapid Fire shifter
• Hydraulic APEX disc brake
• Kenda 27.5” 2.2 high puncture resistance with reflector
• Wisper Comfort, e-bike with seat handle
• Rear rack

Accessories

• Helmets
• Pannier
• Emergency repair kit
• Pump