Saturday 10th August

Medium Ride

Thornhill, Dumlanrig Castle, Moniaive

Maps Required Landranger 78 and 84 (Bold bracketed on route)

Distance 40.1 Miles

Route Notes

Les Byers the curator at Ellisland farm has kindly agreed to lay on tea, coffee and squash along with biscuits specially for the tandem club, for which he asks for a donation at the time. The admission has been reduced dramatically to just a pound an adult and U18 are free. I would recommend this as a morning tea stop to get a taste of his hospitality.

Drumlanrig castle is the suggested point of interest. Although the castle is closed, there are marked walks of 1,2 and 3 miles and a cycle museum featuring a replica of the first pedal cycle invented and built locally by Kirkpatrick Macmillan

Moniaive is an interesting and scenic village. A full description is posted in reception

Places of Interest

Ellisland Farm (Special discounted rate) Home of Robert Burns 1788-1791. Described as the most interesting of all his sites, the Farmhouse and steading reflect his life here, with plenty of original memorabilia. Riverside walks, heritage trail, farming exhibits. Open from 1000

Charge 1.00 Adults, children free

Tel 01387 740426

Drumlanrig Castle The Dumfriesshire home of the Duke of Buccleuch features a craft courtyard, adventure playground, cycle museum and walks. During this week the castle is closed as the owners are in residence.

Charge 3.00 Adults, Children 2.00

Tel 01848 330248

Monaive Conservation village featuring a statue of James Renwick who was the last of the Covenanter Martyrs. The James Paterson Museum was one of the founder members of the Glasgow Boys. His museum illustrates his artistic life. Free Admission.

Food and Drink

5.8 Ellisland farmCoffee and biscuits laid on

17.7 Drumlanrig Tea room (a little pricey?)

27.5 MoniaiveGreen Tea House Caf, The George Hotel, Craigdarroch Arms Hotel (both serve food), Village Shop.

35.5 DunscoreGeorge Hotel

Route Description

TL Turn LeftTR Turn RightSO Straight on

XR Cross RoadsTJ T JunctionSP Sign Post

(84) Exit campsite to TL at TJ

No SP

NX 879775

1

1.5

1.5

TR, cross bridge over old water (Routin Br). Just after Irongray church LHS;

SP Dumfries

NX 886797

2

2.1

3.6

TL, cross bridge over Cluden water

No SP

NX 917795

3

0.6

4.2

(78) SO at XR

SP Auldgirth

NX 918804

4

0.5

4.7

SO at XR, cross B729

SP Auldgirth

NX 922812

5

0.3

5.0

TL at TJ, along A76T

SP Thornhill, Sanquhar

NX 934826

Ellisland Farm RHS (5.8 miles) Coffee and Biscuits

6

3.8

9.6

TL, (bus stop here) follow minor road parallel to River Nith

No SP

NX 902887

7

4.2

13.8

TL at XR, (Summer seat on north side of road junction)along B731(SO to enter Thornhill)

No SP

NX 878946

8

0.8

14.6

TL at TJ, along A702, cross River Nith.

No SP

NX 872954

9

0.6

15.2

TR, (telephone box and post box at junction) reach entrance of Drumlanrig Castle

No SP

NX 862954

Dumlanrig Castle (17.7 miles) Tearoom

10

2.5

20.2

Exit castle and retrace route to A702 to TR at TJ. Follow this to and right through Moniaive (If you fancy a climb and views take minor road through Tynron at NX832937)

No SP

NX 862954

Moniaive Caf, pubs and shop

11

7.8

28.0

TL, cross bridge over Cairn water and follow this LHS

No SP

NX 778903

12

2.2

30.2

TR at TJ, (don't cross bridge) stay to right of Cairn Water

No SP

NX 812901

13

4.0

34.2

TL at XR (SO is deadend)

SP Dunscore

NX 838843

14

0.6

34.8

TR at TJ, (TL to visit pub at Dunscore) Cairn Water LHS

SP Glenkiln. Irongray, Shawhead

NX 847838

15

3.9

38.7

TR at TJ, return to campsite

SP Shawhead

NX 886797

1.4

40.1

FINISH