Rickwood B&B

Cycling in Portpatrick, Scotland

The Rhins of Galloway has quiet and mainly level roads. Although there are no dedicated cycle tracks, the roads are ideal for cycling.

Here are a few suggestions:

Portpatrick to the Mull of Galloway (Scotland`s Lands End) 23.5 miles

Can be split into two or three easier sections

Portpatrick – Ardwell 11.5 miles

Follow the main road out of Portpatrick for approx 2 miles then take a right onto the B7042 signposted Sandhead.

Follow this road for about 1.75 miles then take another right signed Ardwell. After c 6miles follow sign through a crossroads and reach Ardwell in a further 2 miles.

As you approach Ardwell, pause to admire Ardwell Church on your left.. At the main road, turn right into Ardwell itself.

Ardwell – Drummore 6 miles

The road heads south out of Ardwell through woodland and fields for the first few miles then joins the coast at New England Bay from where the road follows the coastline for the last three miles to Drummore. It is well worth taking a side-trip by turning right about three miles south of Ardwell, to Port Logan, a delightful seaside village where 2000 Acres of Sky was filmed. This adds about 4 miles ot the journey on a level road. If you have time, you may also want to visit Logan Botanic Gardens.

Drummore – Mull of Galloway 6 Miles

Cycle through the village of Drummore turning right at the T junction and then left at the village end. The road rises steadily for first mile or so (sorry) but levels off with some ups and downs. Follow signs for Mull of Galloway.

The last mile or so of the road is unfenced but the cattle are used to passing cyclists! This section of the road has spectacular views. Once the Mull of Galloway is reached, there is an excellent coffee house (Gallie Craig) bult right up against the cliff edge and they have great coffee too..

Rickwood House – Accommodation in Portpatrick

Mull of Galloway Tour 15.4 Miles

Start at the Mull of Galloway Visitor Centre (Gallie Craig), head northwards and turn right at the T-junction. Turn left at the next junction (Ardoch Farm). Keep right and your climb will be rewarded with a descent offering expansive views across Luce Bay to the Machars of Galloway and the Galloway hills.

After a total of 9.3 miles from the Mull of Galloway, turn left into Kirkmaiden and at the end of the village turn right past the Church Yard (Signposted ot Drummore. This churchyard was featured in the opening scene of 2000 Acres of Sky.

After another mile, the village of Drummore – Scotlands most southerly village is reached. Return ot the Mull of Galloway following the road signs.

Stranraer and Portpatrick 17 Miles

Start at Stranraer Town Centre car park and turn right onto Millhill Street. Turn left then right onto Ashwood Drive and at the end turn left. After the speed bumps finish, bear right then turn right (signposted to Portpatrick). Continue on the Old Military Road.

5..5 miles from Stranraer you reach the junction with the A77. Carefully turn right and follow it downhill to Portpatrick.

Explore Portpatrick, checking out the Port Pantry for an excellent coffee and home baking then leave again by the A77 turning left at the junction with the B738.

About 2.8 miles out of Portpatrick, turn right although it is well worth taking a side trip to the left before this to view Klilantringan Lighthouse and to explore Killantringan Bay – a large expanse of sandy beach amid the rocks. ( adds about 3 miles).

From the right turning described above, continue straight on ignoring side roads. Enjoy views over Loch Ryan and to the largge volcanic plug of granite known as Asila Craig (or Paddy`s Milestone). At the T-junction turn right and take the next right (no signpost)

Turn right on meeting the A718. Just after the 30 mph limit go right onto Leswalt High Road. At the roundabout, turn right then left into Millhill Street to return to the car park.

Cycle Hire

Courtyard Cycles in Kirkcowan have a wide range of cycles for hire including some electric ones for energy saving (yours) and a tandem!

Cycling in the Machars

The Galloway Machars is the peninsula to the east of the Rhins of Galloway where Portpatrick is situated.The Machars area isalso ideal for cycling having quiet and mostly level roads.

Whithorn – Sorbie – Isle of Whithorn Loop – 17 Miles

The route explores the countryside of the SE Machars overlooking Wigtown Bay.

From Whithorn, head north on the A750 to Sorbie then turn right onto the B7052 towards Garlieston,

While our route turns south onto the B7063 just before Garlieston, you may wish to detour into the seaside village. Returning to our route head south looking out for the 12th century Cruggleton Church on your left and proceed to Isle of Whithorn which has a picturesque harbour. St Ninian`s chapel built in the 13th Centuty and Isle Head Promontory Head are well worth a visit.

Isle of Whithorn and Steam Packet

Isle of Whithorn Harbour

Rejoin the A750 back to Whithorn where the Prioy Museum and Visitor Centre tell the story of “Candida Casa” the site of Scotland`s first church built by St Ninian in the 5th Centrury.

Whithorn – Port William – Monreith Loop – 20 Miles

From Whithorn, head north on the A750 for a short distance then take a left turn omto the B7021 to Mochrum, just north of which is Druchtag Motte where a 12th century timber castle once stood

Head south to the coast and join the A747 and soon Port William is reached, Port William has an intersting sculpure near the harbour called “The Man” which is worth looking out for.

Isle of Whithorn and Steam Packet

The Man – Port William

Head south on the coast road to Monreith from which it is worth making a diversion along the road to St Medan`s Golf Course where there is an attractive otter memorial to the author Gavin Maxwell . Kirkmaiden Church dedicated to St Medina is also worth a visit,

Rejoin the A747 back to Whithorn .

Wigtown – Sorbie – Garliestown Loop – 22 Miles

From Wigtown, take the B7005 via Blandnoch, which has Scotland`s most Southerly Distillery, After a few miles, turn left on to the B7052 through Whauphill to Sorbie.

From Sorbie continue on the B7052 to Garlieston then head north west on the B7004 back to Wigtown via Kirkinner

Wigtown – Kirkcowan Loop – 25 Miles

This is the longest of our circuits on the Machars and starts at Scotland`s Book Town, Wigtown and heads north west alomg the B733 to Kirkcowan. The Torhousekie Stone Circle on the left hand side of the road is worth checking out along the way and is thought to have been built some 4000 years ago!

From Kirkcowan, head south until the B7005 is picked up where you take a left turn and head back to Wigtown.