Day 4 - The Isle of Whithorn to Kirkcudbright. 53.2 miles
The final day of our SW300 ride and after a long day the day before we could take the ride at an easier pace with only 53 miles to Kirkcudbright.
We left The Isle of Whithorn and took the B7063 for the 7 mile ride to Garlieston. This is one of the loveliest roads you will ever cycle on with the stunning coastline sitting to your right as you ride to join the B7004. We headed into Garlieston just to take in this pictureque seaside village before heading onwards to Wigtown which was to be our first coffee stop of the day.
7 miles from Garlieston takes you through Kirkinner, Braehead and Bladnoch - The Bladnoch Inn is a worthy watering hole if you fancy although there’s plenty of choice in Wigtown and more book shops than you can shake a stick at - it is Scotland’s Book Town after all.
Down the dual main street ( split by the most stunning and well kept public gardens ) and on towards Wigtown Bay you’ll join the Carty Port road for another stunning 5 miles ( again download the Strava GPX so you don’t miss this road ) and eventually join the A714 heading into Newton Stewart. Just before the town’s fist roundabout on the left is Crafty Distillers - home to the local Gin Makers of Hills and Harbour Gin - cafe, visitors centre and gin await !! Worth a stop just for the views.
Through the town of Newton Stewart - planet of choice again for overnight accommodation if you want to make Newton Stewart a stop off point. Prepare though for a tough short climb the other side of Newton Stewart at Blackcraig - this is the Mines hill and is a tough steep climb of less that 1/4 of a mile but there’s no shame in getting off for a push !!
Over the hills here and into the Galloway Forest Park area and skirting the edge of Cairnsmore of Fleet hill. You join the old “Paddy Line” that has been resurrected as a cycle pathway to Creetown.
The Gem Rock Museum is a worthwhile stopping off point for a coffee and scone, a wood burner in the winter is a welcome addition
Another stunning road takes you up to the Old Gatehouse of Fleet station, this is 39 steps country and the area that John Buchanan had Richard Hannay fictitiously hiding “ I fixed on Galloway as the best place to go”
Dropping down into the charming town of Gatehouse of Fleet, again no shortage of accommodation, cafes, pubs offering a warm welcome to cyclists.
Laggan Outdoor and GG’s yard are just the other side of Gatehouse of Fleet and worth the detour if you fancy a days adventure Zip Wire, Segway riding and self catering hillside snugs.
We continued on towards our Final destination Kirkcudbright and back nowhere we had all started 4 days earlier. Kirkcudbright is Scotland’s Artist town and is well worth a few days rest and recuperation after the SW300 - again plenty off pubs, cafes, hotels and gusts houses here. A special thanks go to our sponsor The Selkirk Arms Hotel in Kirkcudbright.