Cycling around Kirkcudbright. Gatehouse & Laurieston.

Cycling around Kirkcudbright. Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland.

Gatehouse of Fleet & Laurieston.

28 miles

From the town follow the A 755 towards Gatehouse, crossing Kirkcudbright Bridge over the tidal river Dee (just above the Harbour) and passing the timber houses. (The A755 is part of the National Cycle Network). Continue to Minto, Barharrow and beyond, through farming landscape to the A75 road.

Care is required crossing the A75 dual carriageway. Follow the B727 and descend to Gatehouse (9 miles). Gatehouse of Fleet is worth a visit.

Gatehouse & Laurieston

A detour can be made, on an “off road cycle route” to the Cally Palace Hotel and beyond through Laundry Wood (see O.S. Explorer 312 map). The Tourist Office and toilets are near the bridge over the Water of Fleet at the bottom end of the town.

However, the route to Laurieston is taken at the top of the town, by turning right opposite a Garage. This minor road is level for the first mile, passing the Golf Club and Barlay Mill (the home of the Faed’s), before coming to a Y-junction. (The road straight ahead follows the Water of Fleet to Castramont woods and wildlife reserve. A detour can be made by crossing Castramont Bridge and back down to Gatehouse of Fleet.)

At the junction take the right fork, climbing steadily to high open moorland, passing over a cattle grid, where there are fine views to the left across to Cairnsmore of Fleet. In another ½ mile, Laghead and Loch Whinyeon (a grassy footpath goes to the loch) are reached. Over the higher ground the road is unfenced so be aware of sheep.

A height of 600 feet (200 metres) is attained after 13½ miles. A gradual descent is made to a second cattle grid and through into Laurieston Forest, past Lochenbreck and deciduous woodland, down to a picnic place. From Kenrick Burn picnic place, the road descends to the village of Laurieston (19 miles), where there is a pub.

At the cross roads in Laurieston, turn right along the A762 to Kirkcudbright via Ringford (25 miles). This is a quiet road with views to Neilson’s monument. This large memorial obelisk on Barstobrick Hill, near Ringford, was erected in memory of James Neilson of Queenshill, Ringford; inventor of the hot blast furnace for smelting iron.

At the T-junction in the Ringford, turn right and onto a 1 mile section of the A75 (hard strip for cyclists).

The Old School Tearoom is visible on the left. Leave the A75 on the left after 1 mile, following the A762 to Tongland Bridge.(Thomas Telford 1805). Turn right over the bridge, along the A711. In another mile Kirkcudbright is reached.

The round trip is about 28 miles.

The route can be extended at Laurieston, by continuing along the B795 at the cross roads, to Glenlochar on the River Dee. Just before the bridge, turn right along a flat minor road back to the A75, turn right and then left on to the A711 and head for Kirkcudbright. The Park of Tongland Golf Course is on the right, and further on is the Tongland Power Station on the left.

top

At the junction take the right fork, climbing steadily to high open moorland, passing over a cattle grid, where there are fine views to the left across to Cairnsmore of Fleet. In another ½ mile, Laghead and Loch Whinyeon (a grassy footpath goes to the loch) are reached. Over the higher ground the road is unfenced so be aware of sheep.
A height of 600 feet (200 metres) is attained after 13½ miles. A gradual descent is made to a second cattle grid and through into Laurieston Forest, past Lochenbreck and deciduous woodland, down to a picnic place. From Kenrick Burn picnic place, the road descends to the village of Laurieston (19 miles), where there is a pub.