Thursday 15th August

Long Ride

Gatehouse of Fleet, New Galloway and the Queens Way

Map Required Landranger 77, 83 and 84 (Bold bracketed on route)

Distance 70.2 Miles

Route Notes

Definitely long, but put in after a rest day this route is worth the ride. It's quite hilly but the Queens way and the most imaginative discount of the week (2 for the price of one for tandems at the Gem Rock Museum) make this worth the trip

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

Tongland Built in the 1930's, the Tongland Power Station now incorporates the Galloway Hydro Visitors Centre. You can tour the station, view the dam and check out the fish ladder Tel 01557 330114

Twynholm There is plenty of relevant memorabilia at the David Coulthard Museum and Pit Stop Diner. His career continues but his past is well illustrated from Go carts to Formula One. Tel 01557 860050

Gatehouse of Fleet Sited on the high street is the Mill on the Fleet. The 18th century mill building has been restored and features 2 water wheels. There is a model of the Burgh 200 years ago, historical displays and a caf. Tel 01557 814099On the western side of town is Cardoness castle. This four-storey tower house was the home of the McCullochs and stands on a rocky platform above the Water of Fleet. Charge Adult 2.00, child 75p. Tel 01387 770244

Carsluith Castle (NX495542) The well preserved ruin was built in the 16th century. One of the owners was the last Abbott at Sweatheart Abbey. The ruins and the 18th century outhouses are free to visit

Creetown The history of the local area is illustrated in the Creetown Exhibition Centre. There is also wartime memorabilia and exhibitions by local artists. Charge Adult 1.00, Child 50p Tel 01671 820343. One of the largest collections of gemstones, crystals and minerals in private hands is displayed at the Gemrock museum. (special discounted rate)There is a volcanic eruption display and audio visual programmes explaining the subject. Charge Adult 2.90. child 1.75. For tandems 2 for the price of one Tel 01671 820357. Tearoom

Queen's Way This is a lovely road and as well as the scenery there is also quite a lot to do. In the order in which you pass is; Wild Goat Park (NX498721) Deer Range (NX522732) Here you are able to walk amongst the red deer. Charge Adults 2.50, child 1.00 Tel 07771 748401 Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre (NX551763) An indoor display of forest wildlife. Free Admission, Tel 01644 420285, Tearoom Bruce's Stone (NX555767) Marking the spot where Robert the Bruce defeated the English in 1307. It is said that Bruce rested against this granite boulder after the battle. Free Admission

Food and Drink

Castle DouglasP.J.'s Caf01556 502492

Garden Centre (on Eastern approach)01556 503266

Threave Gardens Tearoom01556 502575

TwynholmDavid Coulthard Pit Stop Diner01557 860050

Gatehouse of FleetMill on the Fleet, caf.01557 814099Galloway Country Style, coffee shop01557 814001

CreetownGem Rock Museum01671 820357

Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre01644 420285

Kirroughtree CentreCafe

New GallowayKitty's Tearoom (small) 01644 420246

Route Description

TL-Turn Left, TR-Turn Right, SO-Straight On, TJ-T Junction, XR-Cross Roads, (Eff SO)-Effectively straight on

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

0.2

5.2

TL

SP Park of Brandedleys

NX 831727

5

0.8

6.0

TR

SP Dalbeattie

NX 832714

6

2.4

8.4

TR at TJ (XR) along Sustrans 7/Old Military Road

SP Castle Douglas

NX 824680

7

1.1

9.5

SO at XR, enter Haugh of Urr

No SP

NX 813668

8

0.5

10.0

SO at XR, cross B794, carry on along Sustrans 7

SP Castle Douglas

NX 807663

9

3.0

13.0

TL at TJ, along A road, enter Castle Douglas, pass A745 LHS, in the centre of town;

SP B736

NX 771635

10

0.6

13.6

SO at roundabout, along B736, leave town, Carlingwark Loch LHS

SP B736

NX 763622

11

1.1

14.7

TL

SP Kelton Church, Threave Gardens

NX 760612

12

0.1

14.8

TR

SP Rhonehouse

NX 758609

13

1.1

15.9

TL

SP Rhonehouse

NX 745602

14

0.3

16.2

SO at XR

No SP

NX 743598

15

5.1

21.3

TL along A711, opposite power station

No SP

NX 695536

16

0.2

21.5

TR, along A762, take the first left;

SP New Galloway

NX 692534

17

0.7

22.2

(83) TL

No SP

NX 686541

18

1.0

23.2

SO at XR

SP Twynholm

NX 674542

19

0.5

23.7

SO at XR (Arden Road) TAKE CARE AT NEXT JUNCTION

SP Gatehouse of Fleet

NX 664542

20

0.9

24.6

TR at TL along A75T to immediately TL along Old Military Road. The A75T is a fast road, visability is poor to the left, so be careful.

No SP

NX 652542

21

2.7

27.3

TR at TJ, along B727, enter Gatehouse of Fleet, cross river fleet

No SP

NX 615553

22

1.5

28.8

In the centre of town, TR along B796 and leave town

SP Cairnsmore of Fleet nature reserve

NX 598562

23

6.1

34.9

TL at Gatehouse station, follow this road into Creetown

SP Creetown

NX 546624

24

5.2

40.1

TR at TJ on high street, carry on to join Sustrans route that is clearly marked RHS.

SP Sustrans Route 7

NX 477588

25

1.0

41.1

TR, onto sustrans route 7, at the end of the path;

SP Sustrans Route 7

NX 470600

26

1.9

43.0

TR, over bridge keeping old viaduct on RHS

SP Sustrans Route 7

NX 463632

27

0.9

43.9

Pass Strathmaddie road end, do not TL over bridge, keep straight on

No SP but telegraph pole on RHS (sign on pole is D4)

NX 460645

28

1.5

45.4

Continue past Craignine, over cattle grid

No SP

NX460666

29

0.2

45.6

Sub base road for 1/4 mile, keep left at fork, do not go right to bargaly farm. At tarmac SO

SP Queens way forest drive

NX 461667

30

0.3

45.9

Keep left on tarmac

No SP

NX 459673

31

0.9

46.8

TR, along A712 (Queens Way), enter New Galloway. In the centre of town;

SP New Galloway

NX 454683

6 miles after starting Queens Way Clattershaws visitor centre tearoom, good views

32

14.5

61.3

(77) go left at TJ to go downhill, Cross Ken Bridge

SP A712 Crocketford

NX 634778

33

0.8

62.1

TR at TJ, along A713, then TL along A712, bypass Balmaclellan

SP Crocketford

NX 641784

34

12.7

74.8

(84) TL at XR (only proper crossroads on this road)

No SP (SP other side Kirkpatrick Durham 2)

NX 806726

35

4.5

79.3

TR at TJ, enter Shawhead

No SP

NX 851772

36

1.6

80.9

TL at TJ and return to campsite

SP Dunscore

NX 872762

0.8

81.7

FINISH