Our most popular holiday. You can think of it as a holiday in the Galloway Highlands followed by one at the coast, linked together by a great ride that is mostly downhill. Thornhill and Kirkcudbright have a wide range of quality accommodation from comfy 4 star family run hotels to B&B’s and self-catering places. 

In both towns 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.

This holiday can easy be extended with more days added at either town.

Arrival  - Day 1:  Arrive in Thornhill and settle. We will welcome you and tell you about the area and what you are about to explore. 

You can do your first test rides to the grave of Kirkpatrick MacMillan, the inventor of the pedal bike and to Crichope Linn, a magical little Glenn where the Covenanters prayed in secret in the 17th century.

Ride 1A - Crichope Linn - 8.4 mi

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50862505

Ride 1B - Drumlanrig + Grave 12.2 mi

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50862649

Day 2: A route to Forest of Ae and Ettrick valley. You then ride along the high plateau with some of the most spectacular views of the the land below in Galloway before you descend to Thornhill again. 

Ride 2: Thornhill - Ae - Ettrick - 31 mi

 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50862932

Day 3: The tour to the highest village in Scotland, with the highest pub in Scotland : Wanlockhead. A very long steady climb into different world and yet so close. 

This route will pass the beautiful Morton Castle Ruin and Durisdeer and the Italian marble tomb for the 2nd Duke of Queensberry and his wife Mary. 

Ride 3 - Wanlockhead - 44 mi

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50862466

Your accommodation will be the BQA in Thornhill.

This will be your GUIDED day in Thornhill. 

We love the Scaur Valley. It is the playground for Andy Goldsworthy, the landscape artist, and used to be the home for access Joanna Lumley. It is quiet and just beautiful. 

We will then head via Moniaive to Loch Urr. If you would have cycled across to Kirkcudbright, you would have experienced parts of this section. We will route home via Midgehope (love the name) to Thornhill.

Ride 3:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50862886

Your destination will be Kirkcudbright by the Solway coast.

Some good food, drinks and a comfortable hotel will await you.

Your accommodation will be Gladstone Guesthouse.

There is a multitude of route options to explore this are, so these are some suggestions that can easily be altered. 

Day 5: A ride along Carrick Shore to Gatehouse of Fleet, with a stop at Cream O Galloway for some ice cream, although Gatehouse has now it's own ice-cream shop, too!

We have added a loop to Castramond Wood, one of the few broadleaf woodlands left. You will also see Rusko Castle in the distance when you will cross the river Fleet.

Gatehouse offers some great food options before you head back, via the Old Military Road (from Ireland to Edinburgh and England)

Ride 5: 31 miles - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50863202 

Day 6: A GUIDED DAY - 32 miles

A coastal route to Balcary Bay. En-route see Dundrennan Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots stayed her last night before she was shipped off to meet her cousin in England, never to return. We will have to stop at the fabulous Auchencairn Village store and cafe for some special food and cafe or tea.

Ride 6: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50863247

Day 7:  The GUIDED GRAVEL MYSTERY tour. 

Depending on how you feel we will take you out on some beautiful gravel tracks in Galloway.  After all - these are World-Class!

We will discuss details when you are here.

Day 8: This will be your departure day. 

We have loaded all the routes in Ride with GPS and saved them in the set called:

Kristi & Eric. 

https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Event/382911/pRcctAnVhc763Tpt8WfllE3V6hZiYWc3

For more information on how to use Ride with GPS, we will provide a separate document.