South West Scotland
Scotland Bike Tours
A bike tour on the south west peninsula of Scotland
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length9 days
- Prices from£1530 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Welcome to Dumfries and Galloway and this intriguing bike tour in South West Scotland. Welcome to a thousand miles of quiet roads and the backdrop for countless poems, novels, rebellion, and wars. Welcome to one of the most beautiful countries in the world as voted by Rough Guide.
Scotland has always and will always be a magical destination. Perhaps it is because the history is almost palpable, ever-present, and spoken of often. Or perhaps it is the incredible landscapes, the rolling hills, and lush farmland. Here, you will find people that still take the time to stop and wave.
Highlights are many and since this is a self-guided tour, will vary as per each person's preferences.
Highlights
- Threave Castle and gardens
- Dundrennan Abbey
MacLellan Castle - Kirkcudbright, artist town
- Solway Coast
- Carrick shore
- Cally Place and woods
- Cardoness Castle
- Gatehouse of Fleet viaduct
- Creetown Gem Museum
- Wigtown (The book town)
- Loch Trool and the Bruce's Stone or alternatively The Galloway Hoard
- Bladnoch Whiskey Distillery
- Scottish landscape and Scottish hospitality
We offer other bike tours in Scotland of course!
Itinerary
Day 1: Castle Douglas
Day 2: Castle Douglas, round trip, 16 mi. (26 km)
Day 3: Castle Douglas - Kirkcudbright, 27 mi. (43 km)
Day 4: Round trip - Kirkcudbright, 24 mi. (32 km)
Day 5: Kirkcudbright - Gatehouse of Fleet, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 6: Gatehouse of Fleet, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 7: Gatehouse of Fleet - Newton Stewart, 19 mi. (30 mi.)
Day 8: Newton Stewart, 20 mi. (32 km)
Day 9: DepartureAll distances are approximate. You can always add distance to your cycling day.
Day 1: Castle Douglas
Upon arrival, there is an included transfer from Lockerbie, the famous border town, to your first night's accommodation in Castle Douglas.
The bikes will be ready and waiting so feel free to take a ride. If you have time, you can visit Threave Castle, located on an island in the middle of the Dee River, accessible by boat, a very romantic experience. You may just fancy a spin around town and visit the award-winning microbrewery.Accommodation: Douglas House B & B
Day 2: Castle Douglas, round trip, 17 mi. (27 km)
The route leads to the Scottish Riviera along the River Urr on the National Cycle Route 7 to Haugh of Urr. The Laurie Arms (opens at 12 pm) is in the village. Then you head for the coast through Dalbeattie. There is a free museum full of eccentric charm. You will reach the coast at Sandyhills and it is suggested to drop into Kippford for a pub meal, or a visit to "the Ark" for coffee and cake. You can continue through the forest, off-road for the next bit with panoramic views over the bay. Return by quiet roads to Castle Douglas and a brewery visit or coffee and cake.Accommodation: Douglas House B & B
Day 3: Castle Douglas - Kirkcudbright, 27 mi. (43 km)
Today's journey is along the Solway coast with pretty fishing villages and breathtaking views of the coastline. On the horizon across the Firth, you will see the mountains of the English Lake District. There is coffee and cake and the ruins of Dundrennan Abbey to explore. The Artists' town of Kirkcudbright with its pastel-colored houses, castle, art galleries, and museums are your destination today and will be sure to enchant. It has a working harbor and the best Fish & Chips in Galloway.Accommodation: Selkirk Arms
Day 4: Kirkcudbright, roundtrip, 24 mi. (32 km)
You will have a short ride today plus a walk, to add some variety. The highlight is a visit to High Banks cup and ring rock art, which may be at least 3,000 years old. It is worth it to do a bit of research before you visit! Did you know these markings are a form of prehistoric art yet these markings are found throughout the world! Many theories have been offered as to their purpose, including rituals, or marking of the stars, but nobody knows for sure. After this fascinating stop, you ride to the coast beside the Balmae Burn. There are more cup and ring stones along the route before you return to Kirkcudbright.Accommodation: Selkirk Arms
Day 5: Kirkcudbright - Gatehouse of Fleet, 22 mi. (35 km)
You have just managed to learn how to spell and pronounce Kirkcudbright and now you are on your way again.Leaving Kirkcudbright, you pedal the same coast where John Paul Jones sailed to St Mary’s Isle across the bay, stole the Earl of Selkirk’s silver, and was captured and imprisoned in the Tolbooth (which is now Kirkcudbright’s arts center.) The route goes in and out of the bays to Ross Bay to see the Ross Island Lighthouse and Kirkandrews and the family church of eccentric landowner, Jame Brown of Knockbrex. You head then via the road to Gatehouse of Fleet.
Accommodation: Ship Inn Hotel
Day 6: Gatehouse of Fleet, 22 mi. (35 km)
If you like hills, we have a superb route for you to Laurieston. If not, you will love the routes along Galloway’s most loved beach Carrick shore, and the loop via Cream o Galloway for the best ice cream in Scotland. Back to Gatehouse via Cally Woods and ready for another lovely loop to the ancient woodland of Castramon Wood and Rusko Castle.Accommodation: Ship Inn Hotel
Day 7: Gatehouse of Fleet - Newton Stewart, 19 mi. (30 mi.)
Today's ride is about the views of the Solway Firth, up the coast and across to England. You begin with a climb out of Gatehouse into open moors a little inland. The route picks up National Bike route 7 to ride some miles on a rail to trail through forests and farmland, before descending to Newton Stewart.Just outside Newton Stewart you have the young and already famous Crafty Gin Distillery (Hills & Harbour Gin)
Accommodation: Stables Guesthouse
Day 8: Newton Stewart, 20 mi. (32 km)
You have two options today. You can bike further along the coast to Wigtown and its famous second-hand bookshops and as well enjoy a trip to Bladnoch Whisky Distillery. Or the other option is to cycle in the opposite direction and is for those who love magical waterfalls and the core of the UNESCO GSA Biosphere with Loch Trool and the area where Robert de Bruce (later King of the Scots) had one decisive victory over his English opponent.Accommodation: Stables guesthouse
Day 9: Departure
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Map
Hotels & Bikes
On the day to day itinerary below you will find the name of the preferred accommodation for each overnight. The final hotel list is always based on availability. If the preferred hotel is not available, and if alternative accommodation is necessary, the price will be adjusted accordingly but only after approval from the client. For example, if the Douglas House is fully booked, we can offer you the Ernespie House Hotel, 1/2 mile outside the town center. This would incur a £10pp supplement. If the Selkirk Arms is fully booked you will be offered the Gladstone Guesthouse at the same price or the Baytree Guesthouse, which is actually £15 less per person. In Gatehouse of Fleet, the Murray Arms Hotel is offered at the same price and in Newton Stewart, Stables Guesthouse will be the alternative.
Bicycles
Hybrid Bike
Dawes Discovery Speed 2
- Dawes 6061 alloy hybrid frame
- Shimano gearing, 21 speed
- Alloy V brakes
- Dawes cushioned Discovery saddle
- Schwalbe Silento 700 x 42 C tires
- Rear rack
Ridgeback
- Alloy frame
- Disc brakes
- Shimano gearing 20 speeds
- Schwalbe 700 x 42 tires
- Rear rack
Accessories
- Helmets
- Pannier
- Emergency repair kit
- Pump
Electric Bike
Wisper Electric Bike
- Hand welded Alloy step-through frame
- Wisper high-efficiency 250W hi torque brushless motor
- Lithium Battery, three ranges
- Shimano 7 speed
- Hydraulic disc brake
- Schwalbe Marathon Plus Perf 26 inch tire
- Wisper comfort saddle
- Rear rack
Accessories
- Helmets
- Pannier
- Emergency repair kit
- Pump
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 8 nights
- Breakfast
- Transfer from & to Lockerbie/Dumfries
- Luggage transfer
- Rental bikes, helmets, pannier, emergency repair kit, pump, either 8 or 6 days, depending on length of tour. (Bikes are Dawes Discovery Speed 2 or Specialized Sirrus)
- Maps, cue sheet, GPS file, & other tourist information
- Hotline support
What’s Not Included
- Tickets & entry fees for tourist attractions, castles, gardens, etc.
- Lunches, dinners
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2023
Arrival possible on any day! The best time to enjoy a cycling vacation here would be May through mid-October.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2023
Double/twin $ 2985 £ 1530 $ 2,635 € 1816 ₪ 7254 ¥ 270236 NZ$ 3224 NOK 21492 kr 21059 $ 1,942 Single room $ 3551 £ 1820 $ 3,134 € 2161 ₪ 8629 ¥ 321457 NZ$ 3836 NOK 25565 kr 25051 $ 2,310 Extra Options
Bike rental options
Electric, road, or gravel bike $ 172 £ 88 $ 152 € 104 ₪ 417 ¥ 15543 NZ$ 185 NOK 1236 kr 1211 $ 112 Extra nights
On request Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This tour is rated easy to moderate tour. Average daily distances are approximately 35 km.
Airport Info
You can fly into/out of Edinburgh (EDI), Glasgow (GLA), or Manchester (MAN).
Local Travel
If you fly into:
Edinburgh:
You will take the tram or bus into Edinburgh center. Both the tram and the bus leave from inside the airport. From Edinburgh Central train station (Waverly), there is a train service to Manchester Airport that stops at Lockerbie. Our local representative will be there to meet you and transfer you to your first accommodation..
Manchester
You will follow the signs at the airport to the train station which is in the same complex. Train to Lockerbie (direction to Glasgow Central or Edinburgh). Here you will be met and transferred to your first accommodation - this is included in your tour.
Glasgow
From Glasgow Airport you will take a bus to Glasgow Central and then a train to Lockerbie (Transpennine service to Manchester Airport) or Dumfries (Scotrail service to Carlisle). From here, you will be met and transferred to your first accommodation.Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival . Summers are pleasant here with long days and short nights (sunset can be as late as 10 pm) with daytime temperatures in July typically reaching 66° F/19°C. Kirkcudbright has high sunshine totals, with 1425 hours of sunshine recorded in a typical year.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.More arrival options
- Fly to London and take the overnight bus up to Dumfries (National Express: http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx). This service goes directly to Castle Douglas, your first accommodation.
- If you want to combine your travel in Scotland with Ireland, there is a ferry service from/to Northern Ireland: https://www.directferries.co.uk/ferries_from_scotland_to_northern_ireland.htm
- If you want to come from Newcastle (ferry to/from Amsterdam), there is an easy train to Dumfries via Carlisle (http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/NCL/DMF/today/1445/dep)
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Extra Stay
Always recommended!
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Galloway Cycling Holidays.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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