Castles and Coast

Two hubs - one perfect holiday. From Thornhill to Kirkcudbright

 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 4 and 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.

Tour details

  • Two options: 6 days / 5 nights

    or 7 days/ 6 nights.

    Minimum of two nights in one location.

  • Most suggested routes are around 25-35 miles on rural quiet roads. If you like to do more, there are many more options and routes can easily be extended.

    The transfer day from Thornhill to Kirkcudbright is 41 miles, down to the coast.

    We call the terrain undulating and rolling: some hills, but nothing strenuous. Good fun and leisurely.

  • 6-day schedule:

    From £820 per person, based on shared accommodation

    SINGLE: 1050

    SOLO: £1100

    7 day schedule:

    From: £920 per person, based on shared accommodation

    SINGLE: 1250

    SOLO: £1300

    Bikes are an Extra.

  • Day 1 - Arrive in Lockerbie/ Dumfries. We will pick you up from the train/bus station, bring you to your accommodation, set up the bikes and tell you about your tour. There is usually time enough to test the bikes and perhaps check out Drumlanrig Castle and Estate. Then settle and relax.

    Day 2 - Explore Thornhill with Morton Castle and Durisdeer church nearby.

    Day 3 - Transfer day to Kirkcudbright An amazing ride through the high moors and big skies to the sea

    Day 4 - A choice of a multitude of routes.

    Along the coast past Coo Palace maybe even with a stop at Cream o Galloway to Gatehouse of Fleet and Cally Palace, Rusko Tower, or Cardoness Castle

    Day 5 - Explore the another route, Perhaps see Dundrennan Abbey, or Threave Garden

    Day 6 - Departure : We bring you back to Lockerbie or Dumfries (or as discussed)

    For a 7 - day tour (an extra day in Thornhill):

    We suggest another day around Thornhill and a beautiful route through the rolling countryside of Dunscore to Lag tower, or through the extraordinary and beautiful Scaur Valley.

  • Staying in 4*- rated accommodation with breakfasts

    The prices include:

    Pickup from Lockerbie or Dumfries and bringing you to the first accommodation.

    Luggage transfer

    Transfer from Kirkcudbright back to Lockerbie or Dumfries train/bus station

    If you arrive by car, we can arrange safe parking and bring you back to it.

Hub 1: Thornhill

A small town in the Galloway Highlands, bordering the Scottish Borders. An important junction of the old trade routes into the interior of the southern hill ranges and on to Edinburgh.
Sheep, cattle, castles and unexpected gems in architecture and culture - and place of invention of the pedal bicycle.

Castles and sites on your way

Apart from extraordinary landscapes, you could see a variety of sights.

Thornhill: Morton Castle, Drumlanrig Castle and Estate, The Queensberry Marbles in Durisdeer, public sculptures by Andy Goldsworthy, and of course the place where the first modern pedal bike was invented by Kirkpatrick MacMillan.

Kirkcudbright itself has several important galleries, a lovely local museum, MacLellan’s Castle, and nearby Cream of Galloway Ice cream factory, a chocolate factory, a cooking school, Threave Gardens and Castle, Dundrennan Abbey a number of standing stones and prehistoric sites accessible by the public.

Hub 2: Kirkcudbright - the ‘ Artist Town ‘

The pastel coloured townhouses, galleries and craft shops plus the working harbour give the town a unique feel in Southern Scotland. A gin distillery and Dark Sky planetarium are a brand new addition. There are great cafes for treats during the day and a range of quality places for evening meals. Accommodation can be anything from 4 star hotel with fine dining to self catering and everything in between. Quiet roads and tracks take you on some of the best day rides in the UK.