Sunday 11th August

Medium Ride

New Abbey, Rockcliffe and Dalbeattie

Map Required Landranger 84

Distance 46.0 miles

Route Notes

This rides principle point of interest is New Abbey This is a popular place so be careful with the traffic and there is plenty to see and do with tearooms and pubs serving food. Several attractions offer a discount on production of the rally badge.

It is perfectly feasible apparently to walk the coast with tandem between Rockcliffe and Kippford but don't hold me to this.

Places of Interest

Shambellie House Museum of Costume (NX960666) Sited on two floors of a country house in beautiful woodland this is an experience of Victorian and Edwardian grace and refinement. Temporary exhibitions which include clothes worn by film stars in recent years. (Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman and TV stars such as Joanne Lumley. Run by the Royal Scottish Museum, Shop, tearoom, picnic area and wooded grounds Charge Adults 2.50, children under 16 free.

Tel 01387 850375

Newabbey Corn Mill (NX963663) (Special Discounted rate of 10% on ticket prices) Renovated 18th century water powered oatmeal mill in full working order. Demonstrations are given for visitors in the summer at noon and 3pm Owned by Historic Scotland Normal Charge Adults 2. concessions 2.00, children older than 5 1.00 (3.50, 2.50, 1.20 respectively for joint ticket with Sweatheart Abbey), Tel 01387 850620

Sweetheart Abbey (NX966662) DISCOUNT see above The splendid remains of a late 13th/early 14th century Cistercian Abbey founded by Devorgilla, Lady of Galloway, in memory of her husband John Balliol (King of Scotland and founder of Balliol College Oxford) Devorgilla is buried in the presbytery with a casket of silver and ivory containing her husbands embalmed heart. The red sandstone walls and tower are intact but the roof is gone.

Barcloy Barn (NX872547) Situated on East Barcloy Farm, the shop sells portugese pottery, hand loom weaving, leather goods and Portugese Olive Oil. There is a museum of old farm implements and strawberries are sold in season.

Criffel If you fancy a walk then this little mountain just South of New Abbey provides lovely views of the Lake District and the Solway area. At 569 metres it dominates the area and an annual race from the Abbey Arms takes just under an hour to get up and back.

John Paul Jones Museum and visitors centre (NX988572) Exhibition of the life of the 'father of the American Navy'. Features an audiovisual display in the reconstructed cabin of Jones's ship, the Bonhomme Richard. This is a perfect picnic spot for breathtaking views across the Solway Firth to the Lake District. Shop

Charge

Tel 01387 880613

Mersehead Nature Reserve (NX925564) Extensive wetlands managed by the RSPB. Features saltmarsh and intertidal areas on the north shore of the Solway. You can spot waders, wintering wildfowl all year round. Information centre, nature trails, displays Free Admission Tel 01387 780298

Rockcliffe (NX848538) A pretty village situated on the Rough Firth. Also known as the Scottish Riviera!! On the edge of the village is the Motte of Mark which is an ancient hill fort affording lovely views over the Urr estuary as well as the bird sanctuary at Rough Island that can be visited at low tide. A lovely coastline walk (Jubilee Path) links Rockcliffe to Kippford and is recommended at 1/2-3/4 mile of easy walking.

Motte of Urr (NX808659) Dating from the 12th century, this Motte and Bailey earthwork covers 5 acres and is the most extensive bailey earthwork in Scotland. There are no excavations or walls but there is a sense of scale.

Food and Drink

13.3 New AbbeyAbbey tearoom01387 850377

Abbey Arms01387 850489

Shambellie House Museum of 01387 850375

Costume

23ishRockcliffeGarden Room Teashop

On the road in

25ishKippfordAnchor (recommended) Child 01566 620205

Menu.

27ishDalbeattieThe Little Treat 62A High Street

Toilets

New Abbey In the car park by Sweatheart Abbey.

Sandyhills In the car park

Rockcliffe Beside small car park overlooking bay, at shore level.

Kippford Car park next to village hall

Dalbeattie Car park behind clock tower near town centre

Route Description

TL Turn LeftTR Turn RightSO Straight on

XR Cross RoadsTJ T-JunctionSP Sign Post

1

0.0

0.0

Exit the campsite, TR at TJ, take the next left

No SP

NX 879775

2

0.2

0.2

TL (post box on telegraph pole)

No SP

NX 877771

3

1.2

1.4

TL at TJ, cross bridge

No SP

NX 894762

4

1.3

2.7

TR (acute turn back) CARE AT NEXT JUNCTION

SP Shawhead, Terregles

NX 909768

5

1.4

4.1

SO at roundabout, cross A75T

SP Lochfoot

NX 903748

6

0.7

4.8

TL at XR along Sustrans 7

SP Dumfries

NX 901738

7

3.0

7.8

TL at TJ along A711 then immediately TR along Carruchan Beeches

SP Dumfries, Dalbeattie

NX 945744

8

2.0

9.8

TR at TJ, along A710, (opposite Beechwood - house) follow into New Abbey

No SP

NX 965717

13.3 Attractions/cafes at New Abbey

Continue out of New Abbey along A710. You will pass

Paul Jones Cottage (NX990570) road to LHS

Mersehead Nature Reserve (NX 925564) LHS

Sandyhills Bay (NX 892552)

The pretty villages of Rockcliffe (NX 850535) and Kippford (NX 836550) both of which are signed off the A 710

Enter Dalbeattie

9

18.3

31.7

SO at XR, along B794, Motte of Urr LHS.

SP Haugh of Urr

NX 830611

10

3.6

35.3

TR at XR, along national cycleway 7, cross XR after 500 metres.

SP Hardgate, Milton

NX 807663

11

1.6

36.9

TL

No SP

NX 824681

12

2.3

39.2

TL at TJ

No SP

NX 832714

13

0.7

39.9

TR at TJ, along A75T, immediately after speed sign;

No SP

NX 831727

14

0.2

41.1

TL, enter Shawhead

No SP

NX 833728

15

3.9

45.0

TL at TJ then immediately TL, return to campsite

SP Dunscore

NX 873760

1.0

46.0

FINISH