Galloway Cycling Holidays

From maol in gaelic, a rounded hill, summit or mountain bare of trees. The Mull of Galloway is all of these but also beautiful and remote too. 

For 2020 we have changed the route a little and it now crosses the Galloway peninsula on day one to visit Portpatrick. You still begin your ride at the very southern tip of Scotland - The Mull of Galloway and ride to the border with England. If you don’t have enough time, then do a section of the route or turn inland at Kirkcudbright. Day one now visits the site of the Kirkmadrine Stones, three of which are amongst the oldest Christian memorials in Scotland. 

Visiting Portpatrick gives you the chance to enjoy a range of traditional bars and some fine places to eat. The village was once Scotland’s gateway to Ireland which is just over 20 miles away. Fishing has always been at the heart of the village and the graveyard of the ruined St. Patrick church (1629) has many memorials to shipwreck victims. A great place for an evening stretch of the legs, Dunskey Castle is just a half mile walk along the cliffs.
Further along, the Solway Coast Route visits ancient standing stones, castles, abbeys and quiet fishing ports. There are just enough pubs, tea rooms and cafes in the 30 or more small towns and villages that lie ahead to break up the ride into enjoyable sections.

The SC200 passes through varied terrain, from rugged and remote coast to moorland and pastoral landscapes. There is always going to be something new around the next corner. Open views to Ireland and the Isles of Man and further along, the mountains of the Lake District. Take your time and explore golden beaches and the bays where history was written by Viking raiders, pirates, smugglers and the first Christians.

The route can be done in a week riding 30 miles a day, but can be done slower or quicker. We have picked quiet roads with stretches where you will ride for miles with the roads to yourself. If you are new to cycling or this is your first taste of touring then this is a great way to start. If you are looking for a charity challenge the Solway Coast 200 could be just what you are looking for.

Enjoy the ride, let us take care of things - bike hire, bag transfer and as much or as little help as you need.

The pedal cycle was invented in 1839 by Kirkpatrick Macmillan in a blacksmiths at Keir Mill near Dumfries. Visit the old Smithy and the grave of Macmillan on your ride out along the River Nith valley from Dumfries. There is also the 12 Apostles Stone Circle to visit and you cycle by and Ellisland Farm the home of Robert Burns our national poet.

After your first night in Thornhill you visit our favorite castle in the area, the stunning Morton Castle. You pick up the old Edinburgh road through the hills before returning to ride through the grounds of Drumlanrig Castle. Known as 'The Pink Palace', it is one of Britain's grandest castles and features in the Outlander program.

Moniaive, "This buzzing little musically gifted community is probably home to more festivals per capita than any other place in Britain" - The Guardian, is your next destination, before you climb up over the hills and down to New Galloway. For a small village it has two of the finest cafes in the area. You can stay two days to explore Clatteringshaws Loch and the beautiful off-road route, the Raiders Road.

A stunning ride along the banks of Loch Ken brings you to Lauriston and the start of what we think is the finest stretch of road in Galloway. First climbing through forest and beech tree lined avenues to moorland where the views open - you can see Ireland on a clear day. The descent into Gatehouse of Fleet is rather exciting. The ride now joins the Magical Stewartry tour.

Gatehouse of Fleet is where you begin with a ride along the coast. Vikings, smugglers and pirates sailed the hidden harbours of this beautiful stretch of coast. Whenever possible the route takes off-road tracks and stays by the side of the sea. You will probably have golden beaches to yourselves here all the way around to Kirkcudbright.

A two day stay here would be a good plan. This is The Artist Town, with pastel coloured houses, cafes and enough shops and galleries to pass the time. Day two can be a ride to Threave Castle or ancient rock art.

The ruined Abbey of Dundrennan and then the usual quiet roads through to 'The Scottish Riviera' and the quaint sailing harbour of Kippford for the night. A final coast ride to Dumfries, visiting Sweetheart Abbey, the most photogenic lighthouse and quiet bays. The standard tour takes you along some of the most beautiful roads in Scotland, and covers 143 miles - too short! ask for longer rides each day to custom fit your ride.

One of Scotland's most vibrant small towns and right in the heart of great cycling country. We call it home for our single base holidays, our HUB ROUTES. We are not the first, many before have also called it home; from Celtic tribes to the Roman General Agricola, the Galloway Picts, St. Cuthbert and more recently a flourishing colony of artists and crafts people.

We love its pastel coloured houses, the castle and the fact that it still has real family shops and a working harbour. We partner with the best of hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation so you can choose the type of accommodation that suits you. You can ride out along the coast, into the hills or a bit of both. Every day you get to pick from a range of 10, 20, 30, 40 mile or further rides. If you don't want to ride then we have walking tours, cook school, studio visits we can organize or enjoy the shops, galleries and cafes.

Beyond the coast the land rises to higher ground and the population thins to almost nothing. These are wild glens with a raven dark night sky. This is the place for battles, the Outlaw King - Robert the Bruce and history to be written.

It feels like another world as you gain height from the coast, time slows. Their are views across to Ireland, the Lake District and the Isle of Man and a quiet filled with the sound of Skylarks and the call of Red Kites.

You begin and end in Dumfries, and we offer a 4 or 6 day version or you can combine it with the Stewartry tour for a wonderful long ride.

Galloway's coast has always had more than its share of history. The remains of long abandoned settlements are dotted along the coast, with ruined churches and graveyards now in the middle of fields. People raised stone circles and cairns, and left behind cup and ring carved art thousands of years old.

The Romans were here, as were the Vikings and Picts, then pirates and smugglers. Christianity was founded here, and great abbeys became the centre for learning and pilgrimage.

There are sandy beaches that you can often have to yourself. Spectacular towering cliffs, hidden bays and spectacular views to the Lake District, the Isle of Man and Ireland. Take your time and explore.

Our most popular holiday. You can think of it as a holiday in the Highlands followed by one at the coast, linked together by a great ride that is mostly downhill. Both towns have a wide range of quality accommodation from comfy 5 star family run hotels to B&B’s and self-catering places.

In both there are wonderful places to eat, some traditional bars and for after ride treats there are the best cafes in Southern Scotland. You can pick how far you would like to ride each day and what you would like to do. There is every type of ride from as little as you like to more than 60 miles, it’s your choice. If you are up for the adventure, visit the highest pub in Scotland and have a dram. You can visit some of Scotland’s most iconic castles and most beautiful gardens and still have time to enjoy gallery culture and some quirky little craft and antique shops.
Bring your own bike or rent from us, you can be guided or self-guided using maps, turn by turn cue sheets and gps or smartphone navigation.

We cater for every type of cyclist, from groups of lycra clad road warriors to leisure cyclists. To keep it simple, we have no set start date and you pick the length of your stay with us. You are going to love this.

from the solway coast to the hills of galloway along the river nith

Scotland starts here, where history and whisky was made and more battles fought than anywhere further North. Where our national poet Robert Burns was inspired and where prehistoric people raised standing stones and hill top forts. Where the Pedal Bicycle that changed the world was invented by our unsung hero Kirkpatrick MacMillan.
Experience tradition in drink and food, made welcome by those who live here - you will love the landscape, the slow pace and the beauty of sea, river and mountain.

The trip is in collaboration with Annandale Distillery, for you to explore their award winning whisky and their ongoing interest in preserving culture and history and traditions.

Annandale Distillery was founded in 1830 by George and Margaret Donald producing memorable peated whisky and was later bought by the world famous Johnnie Walker brand. An amazing restoration project began in 2007 and now Annandale's single malt whisky is recognised as world class.

For years this area has been known as a mountain biking destination. But with hundreds of square miles of forest, coastal paths and farm tracks this is now a world class destination for gravel and adventure cycling. Just a couple of hours from Glasgow and Edinburgh and the first bit of Scotland you arrive at if you come from England.

Rides can be guided, bring your own bike ( anything you are happy to ride on a rough farm track), or rent one of ours. We have a range of routes to suit your fitness levels and the type of rides you are going to enjoy.
There may be foraging, coffee making or photography tips and there will always be a lot of helpful advice and stories. 

We partner with the best accommodation in the area, just pick your comfort level from hotel to bunkhouse. A long weekend or anything up to a week - all of which can start any day of the year.