Sunday 11th August

Long Ride

New Abbey, Rockcliffe and Castle Douglas

Map Required Landranger 84

Distance 52.9 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.

To the west of Castle Douglas is Threave gardens and castle. If you have no time today, they are passed again on Tuesday

Places of Interest

In order of passing

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) (special discounted rate 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.

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.

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.

John Paul Jones Museum and visitors centre (NX988572) Exhibition of the life of the 'father of the American Navy'. Features an audio-visual 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.

Threave Gardens and Estate (NX 753607) Owned by the National Trust for Scotland, this is a garden for all seasons, with colourful displays throughout the year. Visitor centre, restaurant and plant centre. Tel 01556 502575

Threave Castle (NX739624) A massive tower, situated on an island in the River Dee. Built by the Archibald of Grim in the late 14th century, and was later the stronghold of the Black Douglases. Ring the bell and the custodian will ferry you over Charge

Tel 0131 668 8800

Threave Wildfowl Reserve (NX743626) Regularly visited by breeding wading birds and wintering wildfowl. Bird Hides Tel 01556 502575

Food and Drink

13.3 New AbbeyAbbey tearoom01387 850377

Abbey Arms01387 850489

Shambellie House Museum of 01387 850375

Costume

KippfordAnchor (recommended) Child 01566 620205

Menu.

RockcliffeGarden Room Teashop

On the road into village

39.0Castle DouglasTearoom at garden centre on eastern edge of town

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

Castle Douglas In market Hall car park, just past roundabout at eastern approach to town

Route Description

TL Turn LeftTR Turn RightSO Straight on

XR Cross RoadsTJ T-JunctionSP Sign Post

1

0.0

0.0

Exit the campsite to 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 894762

3

1.2

1.4

TL at TJ, cross bridge

No SP

NX 894762

4

1.3

2.7

TR (acute turn back)

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 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 959712

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, pass Motte of Urr LHS

SP Haugh of Urr

NX 830611

10

3.6

35.3

TL at XR, along national cycleway 7, cross XR

SP Castle Douglas

NX 807663

11

3.0

38.3

TL at TJ, along A75T, enter Castle Douglas. (carry SO for centre and attractions at Threave)

SP Cycling Route 7

NX 771634

Castle Douglas Pubs, shops and tearoom at garden centre

12

0.4

38.7

TR, along Dunmuir Road pass under A75T,

No SP

NX 767628

13

1.5

40.2

SO at XR, cross B795, pass 2 turns LHS and through Clarebrand, carry SO passing 2 turns RHS, cross Urr Water at Old Bridge of Urr.

SP Clarebrand

NX 767652

14

1.9

42.1

SO at XR, cross B794. In the centre of Kirkpatrick Durham;

SP Kirkpatrick Durham

NX 777678

15

1.8

43.9

SO at XR, then as road bears right ignore dead end left turn, pass 1 turn RHS

No SP

NX 786703

16

2.1

46.0

SO at XR, (Bugle Cottage RHS) cross A712, woods either side then LHS, climb

No SP

NX 806727

17

4.5

50.5

TR at TJ

No SP

NX 851772

18

1.5

52.0

TL at TJ, return to campsite

SP Dunscore

NX 873762

0.9

52.9

FINISH