Our Services

ACCOMMODATION

We arrange accommodation during your stay to compliment your cycling tour.  To ensure the best mix, it is important that we combine our local knowledge of accommodation places and locations with the best routes for your benefit.

Here is a guide to accommodation options and costs:-

• Youth Hostels - around £12 - £15 per night
• Bed and Breakfast Houses (normally no more than 6 guests) - around £24 to £30 per night
• Guest Houses (normally at least 4 letting bedrooms, some do evening meals) - around £26 to £35 per night
• Small Hotel/Inn (liquor licensed with lunches and evening meals provided) - £30 to £50 per night
• Medium Sized Hotels - around £40 to £60 per night
• Best Hotels in the area - a limited number but 4 star rated - from approx. £60 to £100+ per night
• Self Catering Cottages - from £300 to £1000 per week.

Bed and Breakfast Houses (B&B's), Guest houses and Small Hotels are the most common types available in most areas. For more information on each category see below.

We normally suggest your first night's accommodation is the night before your tour starts. Our tour prices assume 1 day's accommodation for each days cycling. Accommodation can also be arranged on the night of your last day's cycling - at extra cost. 
Prices assume two people sharing a twin/double room. Single supplements prices are available on application.

Local Knowledge

As the only locally based cycling tour operator in the region, we are aware of the best tried and tested accommodation in each category. We are aware of local reputations and any changes in the standards of accommodation as, particularly hotels, can often change ownership or quality of chef etc. We normally select accommodation in the most interesting and picturesque towns and villages in the region which you can explore in the evening with a walk if you wish.

Accommodation places are all cyclist friendly with most being on Visitscotland and other accommodation listings accreditation schemes.e.g. Visitscotland's cyclist welcome scheme and/or Green Tourism Business Scheme of which we are a member. We usually book three star rated premises or higher. The other premises we use are independent quality wee B&B's which have been "found" and are content to survive on loyal repeat visitors.

Accommodation Types

Hostels
There are two excellent youth hostels in our region which which are part of the Scottish Youth Hostel Association scheme. One is fairly remote but in a stunning location with great views.  There are also an emerging number of privately run hostels in the region. 
Although accommodation costs for tours using hostels are low, luggage transfer costs, if required, can be higher due to their widespreadand more remote locations - unless with a group tour when the costs are shared. We would suggest that a tour using both youth hostels and cheaper B&B's in areas where no hostels exist is the best option for a budget tour of the region.

Bed and Breakfast Houses
Our region has some excellent bed and breakfast accommodation with welcoming friendly owners. Our local knowledge ensures the best ones for our cyclists. As they are in private houses, you are likely to get more personal attention in the smaller B&B than a hotel. The vast majority now offer en suite bathroom facilities within rooms. Please state when enquiring if this is a definite requirement.

Most are accredited with the voluntary Visitscotland accommodation scheme, some also being part of the Cyclists Welcome scheme which ensures secure cycle storage and drying facilities. We mostly use 3 star accredited ones. We also use some other excellent tried and tested accommodation places of high quality and good value which have chosen not to join the national accommodation schemes. These places are popular and have a large amount of business from repeat customers. We basically use our local knowledge and contacts to ensure the best accommodation for our cyclists according to availability.

HOW TO GET HERE

Our region is in the south west corner of Scotland and is surprisingly accessible from central Scotland, northern England, London (daily London bus) and N. Ireland.

By Car
Castle Douglas is by-passed by the A75 road which runs through the region. It is an easy drive from most cities in the north of England, via the M6 and Central Scotland via the A74.
We are 1 hour from Carlisle and Stranraer and 2 hours from Glasgow and Edinburgh.

By Train
Dumfries and Lockerbie railway stations are closest to arrive at our base in Castle Douglas.
Dumfries is half an hour away and is on the line between Glasgow and Carlisle.
Lockerbie is three quarters of an hour away and on the main west coast UK line between London Euston and Glasgow.
Lockerbie is 1 hour from Edinburgh by train and a popular option to reach us.
We are able to pick you up at the railway station and bring you to our base in the market town of Castle Douglas.

By Air
Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle airports are around a 2 hour drive from Castle Douglas. 
We suggest after arrival at these airports, take the regular airport bus to the city centre - under 1/2 an hour - and take a train to either Lockerbie or Dumfries from where we can pick you up.
Glasgow Prestwick airport is actually closest (just over 1 hour) to Castle Douglas and suitable for flights using low cost airline Ryanair. 
Due to awkward rail connections (unless wishing to spend time in Glasgow before your cycling tour) a pickup from the airport is advised.

By Bus
Their is a daily overnight bus from London to Belfast and return. Times are: Depart Victoria coach station at 0900 and 1700 with arrival at Castle Douglas at 1735 and 0215. Return journeys - Depart Castle Douglas at 2110 and 1100 arriving London 0600 and 2020. Stops en route both ways are at Dumfries, Annan, Carlisle, Manchester Central, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Golders Green, London. Price is £35. Suggest confirm the above with National Express before travelling.
The regular No.500 bus between Dumfries and Stranraer, which calls in at Castle Douglas, runs every 2 hours and has the facility to carry bikes. www.swestrans.org.uk  The journey time is 1 and 3/4 hours.

By Sea
The ferry ports of Stranraer and Cairnyan in the west of our region are an hour from Castle Douglas. The regular ferries sail from and to Belfast and Larne respectively in N. Ireland.

WHAT YOU GET ON OUR HOLIDAYS

Your  tour cost  includes,

Arrival and Departure Advice - whether by road, rail, sea or airport.
Bed and Breakfast accommodation  - prior to each tour day,
Welcome Meeting - your holiday itinerary explained
Tour Pack - including route maps, info on places of interest along the route, local information leaflets.
A Friend in the Area - Back up assistance - contact us by mobile phone.
Luggage Transfer - included in tour cost as standard as appropriate. Cost reduction if not required. 

What is NOT INCLUDED as standard on tour prices quoted on website,

Cycle Hire - we have a fleet of quality cycles  for hire - see below.
Lunches and evening meals - unless specifically requested in hotels you are staying at.

We specialise in being flexible to your requirements so let us know if you require extra services and we will arrange if possible.

CYCLE HIRE

We provide good quality Claud Butler, Peugeot and Trek hybrid cycles. Our cycles have 21 gears and are supplied complete with helmet, tool kit, pump, cycle lock and cycle computer. Most importantly our cycles are fitted with soft gel seats for added comfort, particularly welcomed by the novice cyclist!
Castle Douglas Cycle Centre is a well appointed local cycle shop in our base town, Castle Douglas. We also liaise with several other cycle shops throughout  the region who are available to assist with repairs with tours which pass through their area. 

LUGGAGE TRANSFER

We offer a luggage transfer service on our tours . Your luggage will await you on arrival at your destination each day. We ask that it is left for us to uplift by 9.30am each morning on luggage transfer days.

PAYMENT

TOUR DEPOSIT
We will normally have been in contact with our customers by e mail or otherwise and agreed the tour content and cost prior to deposit stage.

To ensure a place on a tour we ask for a deposit of 25% of the total tour cost.

A booking is accepted by us
a) when we have issued a confirmation of the tour availability and cost, and
b) on receipt of the deposit payment.

Deposits are non returnable.

UNITED KINGDOM CUSTOMERS
Payment by personal cheque only please. Cheques should be made payable to 'Galloway Cycling Holidays,' and forwarded to: 
Galloway Cycling Holidays,
Frenchwood,
Abercromby Place,
CASTLE DOUGLAS,
Scotland, DG7 1GA.
 
 
FOR OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS
Credit Cards
Our preferred method of payment is by Paypal - which accepts credit cards. We can send an online invoice to ease the process. Alternatively you can send your deposit by clicking the button below.

We are members of Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board. We comply with the EEC Package Travel Directive 1992. Your deposit is held in an independent trust fund until your holiday has been completed.

Cheques - Checks
We prefer payment in UK Pounds Sterling. Your local bank can arrange a Sterling cheque (check) for you, for which they will normally add an administration charge.

We can also accept payment by personal cheque, drawn on your own bank account and in your own currency, but to do so we need to add the equivalent of an additional 15 UK Pounds  per transaction to cover UK bank charges. If you wish to pay using this method, please contact us by e-mail and we will be pleased to calculate a total cost for you.  Our e-mail address is mail@gallowaycycling.co.uk

OUR CONTACT DETAILS
Email: mail@gallowaycycling.co.uk
Telephone and Fax: +44(0)1556 502 979
Address: Galloway Cycling Holidays,
Frenchwood,
Abercromby Place,
Castle Douglas,
SCOTLAND,
DG7 1BGA
 
 
Your details will NEVER be divulged to any other companies.

Insurance
It is recommended that travel insurance is held to cover cancellations, accidents and repatriation if necessary, personal injury, medical expenses, loss or damage of luggage and contents.

BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 Terms and Conditions – Cycling Holidays
These terms and conditions set out the terms of agreement reached between you and Galloway Holidays. By placing a booking, you will be deemed to have accepted the following terms and conditions:

1. GENERAL – Any contract entered into by you, for the purchase of a holiday through this website, is with Galloway Holidays. Galloway Holidays’ address is Fineview, Abercromby Road, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, DG7 1BB.

2. BOOKINGS - Subject to availability, your booking will be confirmed when Galloway Holidays receive your Booking Form together with a deposit of 25% of the total tour cost. No contract will exist unless and until Galloway Holidays accepts your booking and confirms it in writing. Such acceptance will be deemed effectively communicated to you the day following the posting of such acceptance, whether or not that acceptance is received by you. It is your obligation, on receipt of confirmation, to check the details on the confirmation letter and inform Galloway Holidays should those details be incorrect.

3. PAYMENT - The balance of the full holiday price is due 30 days prior to your holiday start date, unless an alternative due date is agreed with Galloway Holidays. If the balance is not received by the due date Galloway Holidays reserve the right to cancel your booking and apply cancellation charges.
 
4. CANCELLATION BY YOU – All cancellations must be made in writing.

Deposits – If a booking is cancelled less than 30 days prior to the tour start date the Deposit will be non-refundable. If a booking is cancelled more than 30 days prior to a tour start date the Deposit will be refundable subject to the deduction of a research and administration fee relating to the work carried out by Galloway Holidays in arranging your cycling break

Full Payment –If a booking is cancelled after the balance of the total tour cost has been paid and:

a) more than 30 days prior to the tour start date, Galloway Holidays will repay to you a sum to be determined by them as constituting the total tour cost under deduction of (1) a research and administration fee (not exceeding 10% of holiday cost) relating to the work carried out by Galloway Holidays in arranging your cycling break, and (2) any cancellation fee charged by the accommodation provider.

b) less than 30 days prior to the tour start date, Galloway Holidays will repay to you a sum to be determined by them as constituting the total tour cost under deduction of (1) the Deposit, (2) a research and administration fee relating to the work carried out by Galloway Holidays in arranging your cycling break, and (3) any cancellation fee charged by the accommodation provider.

A full payment refund will be given if a Group or Guided Tour is cancelled in circumstances set out at condition 8.

5. CANCELLATION BY GALLOWAY HOLIDAYS* – If in the unlikely event that, for any reason, Galloway Holidays requires to cancel your holiday, they will notify you as soon as possible. Galloway Holidays will make a full refund of any sums paid to them by you. Galloway Holidays will not be responsible for any other expenses incurred by you, nor for compensating you for any inconvenience caused.

*For information, Galloway Holidays have never, to date, cancelled a booking.
 
  
 6. PAYMENT SECURITY AND INSURANCE - For your security, Galloway Holidays complies with The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 and your payments are held in an independent Trust Account until completion of your holiday. Galloway Holidays is of course also covered by public liability and other appropriate insurance.

7. DATA PROTECTION – Galloway Holidays will not pass your personal details, or your banking details to any third party.

8. GROUP and GUIDED TOURS - A minimum number of 4 persons is required for group and 6 person for guided cycling tours to proceed. If, 30 days before the start of the group or guided cycling tour, there are fewer than 4 or 6 persons booked on the tour, the tour will be cancelled. All persons booked on the tour will be notified as soon as practicable. In these circumstances, an alternative self-led cycling break can be arranged in substitution. Alternatively, if cancellation is preferred, a full refund will be given. Galloway Holidays will not be responsible for any other incurred expenses.
Galloway Holidays’ guided tour leaders are experienced cyclists who hold appropriate qualifications. You are required to behave in a reasonable manner throughout any guided tour and to act on any safety advice given by the tour leader.
 
  
 9. TOUR ALTERATIONS AT YOUR REQUEST- Once your break has been booked, Galloway Holidays will endeavour to make any alterations to the booking arrangements that you might request. Galloway Holidays cannot guarantee that it will be possible to make such alterations. Galloway Holidays reserves the right to charge an alteration fee in the event that any such alterations are made.

10. TOUR ALTERATIONS BY GALLOWAY HOLIDAYS – Galloway Holidays reserves the right to make minor changes to cycling break itinerary. You will be informed as soon as possible of any significant changes.

11. BICYCLE RENTAL – If, as part of your tour cost, you rent a bicycle from Galloway Holidays (Galloway Cycling Holidays), Galloway Holidays will assist you with cycle fitting. Galloway Holidays will also provide some basic cycling advice. Any bicycle rented from Galloway Holidays by you will be your responsibility for the duration of the rental period. If any damage is caused to the bicycle, it is your responsibility to report this to Galloway Holidays without delay, and in any event, by the end of the rental period. 

12. LUGGAGE CARRYING – A luggage carrying service is available on some tours. Whilst Galloway Holidays will take all reasonable care of your luggage, they cannot be responsible for any loss or damage caused to your luggage once it has been delivered to your accommodation*.
*Please note that, to date, Galloway Holidays, has never had any luggage lost or damaged, nor has it had reported by customers, lost or damaged luggage by any of its accommodation providers.

13. PERSONAL INSURANCE – Galloway Holidays strongly recommends that you take out holiday insurance to cover yourself for cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss, personal injury and third party liability while on your break. Galloway Holidays can accept no responsibility for loss or damage to property or belongings.

14. RESPONSIBILITY - Galloway Holidays does not accept responsibility for the state of footpaths, tracks or roads on cycling breaks. All routes are followed at the cyclist's own risk. Galloway Holidays do not provide any warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy of any information provided in respect of any route. Should any route be marked closed, or should the road surface on the day be unfit for cycling, it is your responsibility to seek out a safe and suitable alternative.
Cyclists use any transportation provided by Galloway Holidays at their own risk.

15. FORCE MAJEURE - Galloway Holidays cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage resulting from war or terrorist activities, weather conditions, fire, flood or drought, airport closures, rescheduling of means of transport, or any other eventuality which may delay or extend the holiday.

16. COMPLAINTS – Galloway Holidays will do their utmost to ensure you have an enjoyable holiday. If you have any problems please contact Galloway Holidays immediately and they will do their best to resolve them. Any complaints should be notified to Galloway Holidays as soon as is reasonably practicable, and in any event notified to in writing within 7 days from the end of your holiday.

17. WEBSITE - While every care has been taken to ensure that the information on the Galloway Cycling Holidays website is correct, no warranty is given, express or implied, as to the accuracy of any of the information contained therein and Galloway Holidays accepts no liability for any inaccuracy. All information is subject to alteration without notice.

18. APPLICABLE LAW – Galloway Holidays’ contract with you shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Scotland.

19. IMPORTANT NOTE
Holidays are booked with the understanding that all cyclists are able to cycle, are physically fit to a reasonable degree, and do not have any medical condition which may make physical activity dangerous for them or for others. Galloway Holidays does not accept any responsibility for death, injury or illness of customers (unless this arises as a direct result of some fault or deficiency of any bicycle rented by Galloway Holidays to you)*. They will, of course, assist all customers as far as possible in these circumstances.

*All bicycles rented to customers by Galloway Holidays are thoroughly and regularly maintained to ensure that no such injury should occur.