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 Abbey
Abbey tearoom01387 850377Abbey 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 LHSMersehead 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 | ||||||