Scotland Tour - With maps - Any tips for us from the Scotland locals? :)

[JWestland]

So my dad has gone all IANAL and uploaded detailed maps. He's left plenty of time for detours to see areas...

If any of you have time to look and make suggestions that'd be great. The general gist is starting in Newtownstewart and going around the Galloway Forest park area, then back to Carnryan to grab ferry to Belfast.

Maps are below:

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=nwyutdogmzdlfhah
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do;jsessionid=06BDAE503FF378A11A8EA160F06D46BC?fileId=faywphdlynqvuvsp
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do;jsessionid=06BDAE503FF378A11A8EA160F06D46BC?fileId=aaugkfmxhhqxzqux
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=acbtseoznylihthn

This 650 meters climbing thing...hm now that will be new to me on a bike as a Dutch person 

[Matt2matt2002]

I lived near New Galloway until last year.
Please PM me for any info you require

Matt
I am now in Aberdeen. Too far for you to travel?

[Relayer]

Hi Jawine

I'm not an expert on Ayrshire, but I have ridden the road on your second map and it wasn't very pleasant i.e. all main road which is a long laborious climb into the prevailing wind.

I have mapped out an alternative here

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/BRTWebUI/Course/662177

which is a bit longer than your Dad's route but it includes a lot of minor / unclassified roads which go up and down rather than just upwards all of the time - and the total amount of climbing is about 30 ft less! It also passes the birthplace of Kirkpatrick McMillan (inventor of the pedal-driven bike) and Drumlanrig Castle where there is a cycling museum!

The only downside might be if you don't have GPS on hand you might get lost more easily.

Anyway, something for you to consider.

Jim

P.S. the GPSies site didn't show a lot of these backroads, so I couldn't map that route there.

[JWestland]

Hi Jim -

that's great tx!

I guess with all GPS sites there's bits missing...but my dad has a GPS so worst case we only get mildly lost*

*aka the "scenic route"

[Danneaux]

Best of luck on your tour, Jawine!

Sounds like things are coming together.

All the best,

Dan.

[freewheeler]

Hi Jawine,

I visited this area (although in a car) a few years ago and really enjoyed the scenery and the quiet roads. One stretch I can recommend is an alternative route for part of map 3 from New Cumnock.

When you reach Dalmellington instead of heading west, you could head south to Loch Doon, follow the road beside the loch and then head west on a 'Forest Drive' past Loch Riecawr and on to Stinchar bridge to meet up with your planned route. There's a nice cafe beside loch Doon and a a castle that had to be resited when the loch's level was raised with a dam. It's tarmac until you reach the forest drive then it becomes a good gravel road. It's a little longer than your planned route but there are some great views and plenty of nice spots to stop for a picnic etc. There's some information online here: http://www.ayrshirescotland.com/loch-doon.html

Have a great trip!
Mark

[JWestland]

Tx passed on to my dad