Coast and Spirits of Scotland
Distilleries; 1 Whisky, 1 Gin and 1 that does both! Scottish culture and the quiet beauty of the Solway coast.
A 7- day Leisure cycling tour through Scotland’s Galloway heartland and along its coast . Quiet roads and beauty, curated by Galloway Cycling Holidays. If you like real Scottish culture, some whisky and gin, castles, stories of Vikings and saints. Plus nature and landscape that even UNESCO thinks is special, this tour is for you.
OVERVIEW
Galloway Cycling Holidays present a tour they do themselves. Imagine a trip back in time, a chance to touch history. Adventurous, but feeling safe and cared for.
You stay in two hubs - Kirkcudbright, the Artist’s Town with a busy cultural calendar, and Newton Stewart the heart of farming here in Galloway. A thriving music hub, with access to great cycling loops!. There is only one riding transfer day.
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Cycling Style: Self-guided, Leisure road cycling, luggage transfer provided
Extras: bike rental, several Whisky and Gin (and other) Distilleries, Stationhouse Cookery School and presentations
You ride on quiet roads along the Solway Coast through the heart of our UNESCO Biosphere.
This tour offers so much: remote beaches, castles, stone circles, artist studios and galleries in this untouched part of Scotland. You explore the hills of Glentrool - the place where Robert de Bruce, King of Scots, won his first battle. Meander along the coast to Whithorn, where St Ninian founded the very first christian church. Then there is the town of Wigtown, famous for its book shops and festival, Bladnoch whisky and Galloway Distillery, owned by Sam Heughan (Outlander fan anyone ?) . In Kirkcudbright you can sample the Gin from the wonderful Dark Art Gin Distillery , or explore the history of father of the US Navy - John Paul Jones. Mary Queen of Scots - left a legacy here as well.
Tour details
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Note: Prices quoted are for Standard rooms and standard double beds. Premium rooms are usually available.
from £930 per person based on sharing a room
SINGLE as part of a group from: £1190
Solo from: £1310
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Bike rental is an Extra.
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There is a 5% discount per person for groups of 4 or more people.
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between 25- 35 miles each day - or loads more, if you like
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Day 1- Arrival:
You make your way to Lockerbie or Dumfries by train ( link to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester airports ) transfer you to your accommodation in Kirkcudbright. We talk you through an introduction to the area and your route highlights. Time to answer your questions and get you ready to make the most of your stay. If you hire bikes from us - a bike-fit and a hands on navigation tuition of our ridewithgps system.
Day 2 & 3: Tours around Kirkcudbright
The routes are unique to you,, the distances you are happy with and the things you want to see. Perhaps you like to visit Threave Garden near Castle Douglas, or Dundrennan Abbey. Perhaps you want to explore the area where the Galloway Hoard was found or see ancient stone circles or rock carvings. The rides are designed for you.
Day 4: Cycle to Newton Stewart
A 34 mile day *. Out along the Solway coast with sandy beaches and coves where vikings, pirates and smugglers sailed.
Riding through the grounds of Cally Palace you arrive in beautiful Gatehouse of Fleet. You can stop here for lunch, or book a room and extend your stay with a ride into the Galloway Forest, the Dark Sky Park at the heart of Galloway.
Climbing steadily away from the coast the views open to the Galloway Highlands, the highest hills in southern Scotland. Early summer rides here will be accompanied by the song of Cuckoos, moorland birds and possibly an eagle.
Turning towards the coast you drop down to Creetown and the Gem Museum cafe before picking up the rail trail towards Newton Stewart. You ride through farmland and then forest to Kirroughtree, which has a great cafe and bike shop, before you return to quiet roads leading to Newton Stewart.
* If you would like to split this stretch and allow yourself some more time, we can arrange an overnight stay in Gatehouse for you.
Day 5 & 6: Tours around Newton Stewart
Again there are several options for you. There is a beautiful ride along the river Cree to the heart of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Unesco Biosphere with stunning mountain views of Loch Trool. Another option is to keep to the coast and explore the area around the famous Book Town of Wigtown and maybe visit the Galloway and/or Bladnoch Distilleries.
Day 7: Departure
We will bring you back to the train station in Lockerbie/Dumfries, or to your car in Kirkcudbright.
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The price includes:
Accommodation with breakfast included
Luggage transfers
Pickup from train/ coach stations in Lockerbie/Dumfries
If you arrive by car, we can arrange safe parking and bring you back to it from Newton Stewart.
Hub 1: Kirkcudbright - the ‘ Artist Town ‘
The pastel coloured townhouses, galleries and craft shops plus the working harbour and castle give the town a unique feel. A gin distillery and Dark Sky planetarium are brand new additions to the many independent shops and quaint backstreets. There are great cafes and a range of quality places for evening meals. Accommodation can be anything from an award winning hotel with fine dining to self catering and everything in between. Quiet roads and tracks take you out into Galloway on some of the most glorious rides in the UK.
Hub 2: Newton Stewart - Gateway to the Machars
Again there is a range of accommodation and places to eat in this riverside market town. Rides from here can be along the coast to Wigtown ‘ Scotland’s Book Town ‘ Indulge in books, cafes and perhaps a visit to Bladnoch Distillery for a whisky tour, or to the new Galloway Distillery (owned by Outlander star Sam Heughan) for both gin and whisky. Stone circles and ancient crosses, battles and always on the quietest roads in Scotland.
NEWTON STEWART is home to a wonderful welcoming cultural music venue and bar,“The Vault”, that frequently has ad-hoc traditional music sessions and events -
