Tuesday 13th August

Long Ride

Kirkudbright

Map Required Landranger 77 and 84 (bold bracketed in route description))

Distance 65.2 miles

Places of Interest

Kirkudbright This lovely harbour town on the mouth of the river Dee, is full of 17th and 18th century Merchant houses. Built in 1582, MacLellan's castle is a large ruin near the harbour. The towns artistic heritage is celebrated at the Tolbooth Arts Centre which displays works both past and present. One of the most famous artists was Edward Hornel (1864-1933) he lived at Broughton house, which is now the Hornel Gallery. You can visit and the garden is lovely One mile to the east is the Wildlife Park. This zoo and wildlife park features monkeys, pandas and native animals such as the Scottish Wildcat. Charge Adults 4.50, Children 3.00. Tel 01557 331645

Threave Gardens and Estate (NX 753607) (L) 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) (L) 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) (L) Regularly visited by breeding wading birds and wintering wildfowl. Bird Hides Tel 01556 502575

Food and Drink

New GallowayKitty's tearoom (small)01644 420246

The Smithy tearoom01644 420269

Ken Bridge Hotel01644 420211

KirkudbrightLots of places

Castle DouglasP.J.'s Caf01556 502492

Garden Centre (on Eastern approach)01556 503266

Threave Gardens Tearoom01556 502575

Haugh of UrrLaurie Arms01556 660246

Route Description

TL Turn LeftTR Turn RightSO Straight on

XR Cross RoadsTJ T JunctionSP Sign Post

1

(84) Exit the campsite to TR at TJ, enter Shawhead. In the village;

No SP

NX 879775

2

1.0

1.0

TR at TJ, then immediately TR (Eff SO), pass entrance to Bush of Killylour RHS. CARE AT NEXT JUNCTION

SP Crocketford

Castle Douglas

NX 872760

3

4.0

5.0

TR at TJ, along A75T

No SP

NX 833728

4

0.1

5.1

Bear right along A712

SP Corsock

Balmaclellan

New Galloway

NX 832728

5

14

19

(77) TR at XR, then TL across Ken Bridge, enter New Galloway

SP New Galloway

NX 641783

6

0.8

19.8

TL at XR, along A762, pass through Laurieston. Just before Ringford;

SP Kirkudbright

NX 634778

7

14

33.8

(84) TR (this avoids A75T)

No SP

NX 685581

8

0.7

34.5

TL, opposite dead end turn to High Barcaple

No SP

NX 678577

9

1.0

35.5

TR at TJ

No SP

NX 681563

9

0.5

36.0

TR at TJ, along A75T, then immediately TL

No SP

NX 678557

10

0.7

36.7

TL at TJ

No SP

NX 671548

11

0.3

37.0

SO at XR

No SP

NX 672542

12

1.3

38.3

TR at TJ, along A755, enter Kirkudbright

SP KIrkudbright

NX 673521

13

1.1

39.4

TL at TJ, along A711, next to Belfry caf;

SP Auchencairn

NX 685511

14

1.9

41.3

TL, along B727

SP Gelston

NX 684510

15

7.8

49.1

TL at XR, follow national cycleway back through Castle Douglas

SP National Cycleway 7

NX 770586

16

3.5

52.6

TR along Old Military Road, enter Haugh of Urr

SP Haugh of Urr 3

NX 771635

17

2.9

55.5

SO at XR, enter Hardgate

No SP

NX 807663

18

0.5

56.0

SO at XR

No SP

NX 813668

19

1.1

57.1

TL

No SP

NX 824681

20

2.3

59.4

TL at TJ

No SP

NX 832714

21

0.7

60.1

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

No SP

NX 831727

22

0.2

60.3

TL, enter Shawhead

No SP

NX 833728

23

3.9

64.2

TL at TJ, then TL to return to campsite

SP Dunscore

NX 873760

1.0

65.2

FINISH