6 or 7 Day Tours or longer!
A week cycling in Dumfries & Galloway - the perfect time to get the most from your holiday.
Our 6 or 7 day tours all start in Castle Douglas. You have an early arrival option of a short cycle ride to Threave Castle or Threave Gardens before you spend your first night in a tried and tested quality B&B.
Six day tours start the next day with another 5 overnight stays.
Seven day tours similarly have 7 days cycling days with 7 overnight stays.
Additional accommodation can be arranged after the last day’s cycling if required. Additional days can also be added if required.
Prices - also include a welcome meeting to go over tour info, provision of maps and tour info and back up service are based on 2 people sharing a room in a good quality 3 star B&B.
Cycle hire is £10 per day with a small extra cost for longer distance tours.
Luggage transfer cost for individual tours range from £115 to £225 (7D) with an additional £5 p.p.
We also have a 9 and 13 day tour to include a cycling trip in Northern Ireland - see the Scotland / Ireland menu.
Comments from Kim and Linda Vandermeulen, Connecticut, USA.
I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful holiday I had biking in your beautiful country. The route you set out for Kim and I was well thought out, and I appreciated being off main roads and really seeing the countryside. One of my favorite riding days was down to the Mull of Galloway--so open and undeveloped--you would never see that in the States. The accommodations were comfortable, and everyone was very friendly. I would recommend your service to anyone, and I would definetly make a return trip to Scotland. Thanks again.
Comments below from Herb and Cre, USA
Repeat visitors all the way from California!
Herb and Cre in their native land - we don't have these shaped mountains in Galloway! A picture of their new tandem they sent to us prior to bringing it on their second visit to Galloway.
6 Day Tours
Flavour of Galloway -6A
This gentle tour averaging 20 miles per day takes you to Castle Douglas, Kippford, Kirkcudbright, Gatehouse of Fleet, Creetown, Newton Stewart and the Glenkens, with stops at fascinating and tasty places of interest along the way! On your first day you’ll head down the Urr Valley to the National Scenic Area at Kippford, before heading into an area that’s often called the Heart of Galloway. Kirkcudbright is a perfect stop for your second night, with a fascinating art heritage, busy summer events programme and great entertainment. Cream o’ Galloway Visitor Centre and its delicious ice cream is recommended on your way to your next stop at Gatehouse of Fleet. Here you’ll find historic attractions and two good pubs and restaurants. Taking a quiet road near the old railway line you’ll head to Creetown and Kirroughtree Visitor Centre. After a night in Newton Stewart you’ll head into the Galloway Forest Park, cycling along The Queens Way and passing Clatterinshaws Loch. The Glenkens area is your last overnight stop before cycling back to Castle Douglas. Contact us to obtain more information on this tour. |
|
|
Mid Galloway and Machars Magic - 6B
Mid Galloway and the Machars (meaning low lying coastal plains in Scots Gaelic) are full of fascinating places to explore including Wigtown Book Town, Bladnoch Distillery and the Galloway Forest Park, and the best way to discover them is, of course, on this easy - about 18 miles a day - circular route. Kirkcudbright, Scotland’s Artists’ Town, is your first overnight stay. Cycling west over the River Dee there are a choice of detours to the beautiful nearby coast as you travel to the Fleet Valley and Gatehouse of Fleet. A change of terrain takes you on a quiet road near the old railway line passing Kirroughtree Forest Visitor Centre. Heading down to the Machars, Bladnoch whisky distillery, Wigtown Book Town and Garlieston are interesting stops. After an overnight stop in Newton Stewart you’ll cycle through the majestic Galloway Forest Park and along The Queen’s Way on a signposted cycle route to New Galloway, the smallest Royal Burgh in Scotland. The banks of picturesque Loch Ken mark the route back to Castle Douglas, where you have the option to visit Threave Castle, nearby Threave Gardens or Sulwath brewery. |
|
|
Caerlaverock Castle and The Nith Valley - 6C
With daily routes ranging from 23 to 29 miles, this tour is a journey through historically fascinating areas of Dumfries & Galloway. You’ll start by travelling through quiet countryside to the spectacular Glenkiln Sculptures and then down the Cairn Valley to Dumfries, the largest town in the region. Imposing Caerlaverock Castle and the village of Ruthwell are the main features of the next day’s circular tour which takes you back to your accommodation in Dumfries. You’ll then cycle north by the Nith Valley to Ellisland Farm, once home to Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns. Thornhill is your destination where you’ll enjoy warm hospitality in an excellent guest house for two nights. There’s much to explore in the Nith Valley, including Drumlanrig Castle and the Scottish Cycle Museum – we suggest at 26 mile route, but you can tailor your plans to your energy levels! You’ll then head towards New Galloway, using parts of the National Byways Cycle Route passing dramatic upland scenery. Your final day sees you cycling back to Castle Douglas, via beautiful Loch Ken, keeping an eye on the sky as you follow the Galloway Red Kite Trail. Contact us to obtain more information on this tour. |
|
|
The South Stewartry Circuit - 6D
Such is the beauty of the Solway coast that it features 3 of Scotland’s National Scenic Areas. This tour helps you experience them all, with most daily cycles around 26 miles in length. Your journey beings with the Glenkiln Sculptures, cycling down the Cairn Valley and on to Dumfries. You’ll then head west, overlooking the River Nith estuary, spending the night in New Abbey, made famous by the towering ruins of Sweetheart Abbey, Scotland’s National Museum of Costume and the fully restored New Abbey Corn Mill. Further round the coast is the birthplace visitor centre of John Paul Jones, founder of the US Navy, a nature reserve and an excellent sandy beach. You’ll overnight in the second National Scenic Area called ‘The East Stewartry Coast’ but known by many as ‘The Scottish Riviera’ due to its sunny disposition! Next you’ll cycle both sides of the Urr estuary to picturesque Kirkcudbright Artists’ Town. You’ll round off your trip by visiting the final NSA, Fleet Valley, via Cream o’ Galloway ice cream visitor centre, Gatehouse of Fleet and Cardoness Castle. Turning inland you’ll head back to Castle Douglas on a short peaceful hill and woodland route. |
|
|
7 Day Tours
The Galloway Triangle - 7A
Perfect for people new to cycling, this leisurely tour takes you into the heart of Galloway, leaving you lots of time to explore the many places of interest. A 10 mile cycle through farming countryside gives you a gentle introduction to cycling in Galloway and you have the option to stop at Galloway Wildlife Conservation Centre on the way to Kirkcudbright Artists’ Town. A coastal cycling day follows, with optional detours to bays and beaches as you cycle to Gatehouse of Fleet. Then it’s inland and upward through woodland and glen to a nature reserve before heading down to Creetown with its famous gem rock museum. Visit Kirroughtree Forest Visitor Centre, a favourite for mountain bikers, before arriving at Newton Stewart, 'The Gateway to the Galloway Hills'. Wigtown, Scotland's National Book Town and Bladnoch whisky distillery are great places to visit during a flat circular tour the following day. You’ll then follow The Queen's Way through the Galloway Forest Park passing spectacular scenery, the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall, a wild goat park, red deer range and Clatteringshaws Loch. You’ll return to Castle Douglas by following the line of Loch Ken and the Galloway Kite Trail. |
|
|
The Bonnie Galloway Tour - 7B
One of our most popular tours, with an optional midweek tour break. |
|
|
Inventors, Castles and Coast -7C
Dumfries & Galloway must be naturally inspirational when you see just how many inventors hailed from here! The first 'Inventor' site you visit is John Paul Jones, the 'inventor' of the US Navy at Arbigland on the Solway Coast. Later the Savings Bank Museum in Ruthwell village commemorates Sir Henry Duncan, the Father of the first Savings Bank. But the inventor highlight must surely be Keir Mill where Kirkpatrick MacMillan invented the pedal cycle in 1840. Near Castle Douglas you’ll pass the former house of James Clerk Maxwell, the physicist who ‘invented’ the theory of electromagnetism and who Einstein credited as being the inspiration for his special theory of relativity. You’ll have lots of time to explore historical attractions that include triangular Caerlaverock Castle and Drumlanrig Castle, home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. For the first three days of the tour you’re never far from the beautiful Solway coast and for the remainder of the tour you’ll enjoy river valley, faming countryside and upland cycling, all using scenic routes of around 26 miles per day. Contact us to obtain more information on this tour. |
|
|
The Dumfries and Galloway Tour - 7D
With longer distances averaging 42 miles a day (maximum length 50 miles), this tour takes you right across south west Scotland, all the way to Scotland’s most southerly point, the Mull of Galloway lighthouse. You begin by spending two nights in Lockerbie exploring the eastern delights of the region including Border Reiver town Langhom and Samye Ling Buddhist monastery. Drumlanrig Castle and Thornhill are your next destinations as you head through the Nith Valley before travelling west using part of the National Byways Cycle Route to Newtown Stewart. Portpatrick on the west coast is your base for 2 nights, and this picturesque fishing port boasts a number of tasty restaurants and friendly pubs. A circular tour to the Mull of Galloway is a real highlight, and the view from the lighthouse on a clear day can show you every country in the UK, including Scotland, England, Ireland, the Isle of Man – even as far south as Wales! Glenluce Abbey and Wigtown Book Town take you back to Newton Stewart and your last day mainly follows the National Cycle Route back to Castle Douglas via the pretty towns of Gatehouse of Fleet and Kirkcudbright. |
|
|
Longer Tours
The Galloway Explorer - 9A
This nine day tour is very similar to the seven day Bonnie Galloway Tour, but also takes in Nith Valley. Averaging around 29 miles per day, you’ll spend 2 consecutive nights in Thornhill and 3 consecutive nights in Newton Stewart. Your start with a 2 night stay in Castle Douglas as you undertake the Urr Valley and the Scottish Riviera circular day trip. You pass the Glenkiln Sculptures on the way to Keir Mill, birthplace of the pedal cycle. There’s lots to explore in and around Thornhill including Drumlanrig Castle and the Scottish Cycle Museum. Moniaive and the organic Green Tea House is a lovely refreshment stop on your way west, staying overnight in the Glenkens. Your three night stop in Newtown Stewart offers the opportunity of a rest, and there are a host of things to see and do in this part of Galloway, including Kirroughtree Forest Visitor Centre, Creetown Gem Rock Museum, Wigtown Book Town and much more. Gatehouse of Fleet is your final overnight stop, and Kirkcudbright is an ideal half way point on your way back to Castle Douglas on your ninth day of cycling. Contact us to obtain more information on this tour. |
|
|
The Ring of Galloway -13A
Perfect for anyone who wants spend awhile soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying everything that Galloway has to offer. Your tour begins by following the line of Loch Ken including Ken Dee Marshes Nature Reserve and the Galloway Kite Trail. The Queens Way through the Galloway Forest Park and past Clatteringshaws Loch is a beautiful route to a night in Newton Stewart before journeying on moorland via Stranraer and on to picturesque Portpatrick. After a trip to the Mull of Galloway you’ll pass Glenluce Abbey on your way along the coast to Port William. The Isle of Whithorn and Whithorn are two peaceful villages in a tranquil setting, with historically important early Christian sites. Next is Wigtown Book Town via Garliston harbour, before joining the National Cycle Route with small detours to Kirroughtree Visitor Centre and Creetown. Kirkcudbright is your next destination, with a strong recommendations to pop into Gatehouse of Fleet and Cream o’ Galloway Visitor Centre for an ice cream reward on the way. You’ll spend two nights in Kirkcudbright before continuing along the Solway Coast to a favourite accommodation stop and some amazing coastal walks to enjoy. Celebrate completing your journey by enjoying a local beer in Sulwath Brewery in Castle Douglas! Contact us to obtain more information on this tour. |
|
|
