Tuesday 13th August

Medium Ride

Kirkudbright

Map Required Landranger 84

Distance 48.4 miles

Places of Interest

Dundrennan Abbey. Established in 1142, this Cistercian Abbey was the last place that Mary Queen of Scots slept in on Scottish soil. The ruined abbey is sited in a small secluded valley typical of keeping with the Cistercian order

Charge Adult 1.80, Child 75p Tel 01557 500262

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

Kirkpatrick Durham 2 pubs

Castle DouglasP.J.'s Caf01556 502492

Garden Centre (on Eastern approach)01556 503266

Threave Gardens Tearoom01556 502575

KirkudbrightLots of places

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, in the centre of Crocketford;

No SP

NX 833728

4

0.1

5.1

Fork right along A712

SP Corsock, Balmaclellan 13

New Galloway

5

1.8

6.8

TL at XR (Bogle Bridge cross roads) enter Kirkpatrick Durham

SP Kirkpatrick Durham 2

NX 806727

Kirkpatrick Durham

6

2.1

8.9

SO at XR, enter Old Bridge of Urr

No SP

NX 787702

7

1.7

10.6

SO at XR, cross Urr Water, pass through Clarebrand

SP Clarebrand

Castle Douglas

NX 777678

8

1.5

12.1

Fork Left (TL)

No SP

NX 766658

9

0.4

12.5

SO at XR, cross B795, pass under A75T, enter Castle Douglas along Dunsmuir Road

SP Castle Douglas

NX 767652

Castle Douglas Garden centre 100 metres along A75T (TL)

10

1.9

14.4

TR at TJ onto A75T. cross roundabout to carry along King Street to National Cycle Route 7, (B736) alongside Carlingwark Loch LHS

SP Town Centre, Ayr A713

NX 767628

11

1.6

16.0

TL, keep on National Cycle Route 7

No SP

NX 759612

12

0.2

16.2

TR pass Threave Gardens LHS

SP Rhonehouse

NX 757609

13

1.0

17.2

TL at TJ, enter Rhonehouse, fork left and carry SO towards Tongland. (Take care this is a difficult set of junctions, if cross river Dee have gone wrong)

No SP

NX 745602

14

5.4

22.6

TL at TJ, opposite power station, along A711. Enter Kirkudbright. By the Belfry caf;

SP Kirkudbright

A711

NX 695536

15

1.9

24.5

TL, along B727

SP Gelston

NX 684510

16

7.8

32.3

TL at XR, follow national cycleway back through Castle Douglas

SP National Cycleroute 7

NX 770586

17

3.5

35.8

TR along Old Military Road, enter Haugh of Urr

SP Haugh of Urr 3

NX 771635

18

2.9

38.7

SO at XR, enter Hardgate

No SP

NX 807663

19

0.5

39.2

SO at XR

No SP

NX 813668

20

1.1

40.3

TL

No SP

NX 824681

21

2.3

42.6

TL at TJ

No SP

NX 832714

21

0.7

43.3

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

No SP

NX 831727

22

0.2

43.5

TL, enter Shawhead

No SP

NX 833728

24

3.9

47.4

TL at TJ, then TL to return to campsite

SP Dunscore

NX 873760

1.0

48.4

FINISH