Glentrool is raven friendly!

[geocycle]

I was bowled over by a long weekend (Troon-Carlisle) on sustrans route 7 through SW Scotland.  Glentrool forest was the highlight where I took the offroad option that forms part of the 7Stanes MTB route.  Here's a picture of my Raven around Loch Dee.  One of the more curious aspects to this route was that much of the surface through the forest was made of scallop shells - bizarre!

[Cunobelin]

Superb part of the Country

Would reccommend the House o' Hill pub for either a drink or accommodation.

[geocycle]

Yes, I had a drink there and a nice meal -huge sponge puddings!  It's a crossing point for southern upland way as well so I had some good conversation with walkers.  The best accommodation in this part of the world for cyclists though has to be here:  http://www.thebreakpad.com/ Run by cyclists who have their own shop and bike hire business, very high quality B and B, very friendly, they deserve to succeed.

[lewis noble]

It is a beautiful part of the country.  A friend of mine is shortly opening up a self-catering cottage near Castle Douglas which should also be a good base - cycle storage and workshop etc.  I'll post details later on.  

Lewis