Pictures From My Cycle Tour Of Scotland

Welcome to this part of my site featuring some fantastic pictures from my successful cycle tour of Scotland during May 2009. This particular tour takes in most of National Cycle Route 7, Lochs and Glens south and some of the west coast section of Route 73. You don't have to go 400 miles out of the way from Northern England to the Highlands or Loch Ness to see the best of Scotland as many tourists do and the South West corner of Scotland has it all. This cycle tour takes in the Scottish counties of Dumfries And Galloway, and South Ayrshire. Pictures in the order of 1 to 2 highlights my first entry into Scotland at the border from the English county of Cumbria and my arrival into the Scottish village of Gretna Green at around 7.30 PM in the evening. This tour did not have the best of weather unfortunately. It was a mixed bag of heavy showers to gale force winds in exposed places but still did not stop me from enjoying this cycle tour. Pictures in the order of 3 to 12 feature my long trip through the remote Galloway Forest and Carrick Forest in South Ayrshire. Cycling is a delight in this part of Scotland with a mixture of forest tracks and minor roads. Even some of the A Roads are not that to busy compared to some of the major tourist routes but still require care particularly on narrow sections. Pictures in the order of 13 to 19 highlight my tour of the South and North Ayrshire coast and where I managed to get the best weather with unbroken sunshine for 4 days. The Ayrshire Coast is very cycle friendly with many paths that run through some nice parks with a mixture of minor roads with grand views out to the Isle of Arran. Pictures in the order of 20 to 23 highlight my visit to The Isle Of Arran and unless I do any touring further north of this part of Scotland, this is my most northerly point to this day. The Isle Of Arran is a popular tourist destination of South West Scotland and is very mountainous in the north with the lowlands in the south of the island. Pictures in the order of 24 to 31 where taken on a railway trip while taking some time of the road and feature the seaside town of Girvan and the Scottish port town of Stranraer. Pictures in the order of 32 to 33 feature my return back on the road, gradually making my return home which took 5 days. It would have been nice to have got some more pictures of the Solway Coast, Gatehouse Of Fleet, Wigtown Bay but unfortunately wet weather and time did not permit. I hope to include these pictures on future tours.       

The England and Scotland Border, situated at Gretna. My first ever entry in 35 years since my childhood days, when I was on holiday at Loch Ness.

First and last house in Scotland, Situated on the England and Scotland Border at the southern entrance of Gretna Green.

Loch Ken. This scene is a spring evening in the beer garden of The Ken Bridge Hotel, Situated about 1 mile north east of the village of New Galloway.

Clatteringshaws Loch. Situated in the Galloway Forest on national cycle route 7.

Clattringshaws Loch. A piecefull scene on the national cycle route and this is my first taste of off road cycing in Scotland

Clatteringshaws Loch. This is at the far western end near Half Way Stone.

Craigencallie House. One of the most remote parts of The Galloway Forest and not far from where you meet The Southern Upland Way.

Loch Dee. This scene is on the shared route of national cycle route 7 and the Southern upland way, Scotlands long distance coast to coast footpath.

The Southern Upland Way. This scene is at eastside of Loch Trool, looking towards White Brae Top. Taken on my route from Loch Ken to Newton Stewart.

North Balloch. Situated northwest of Carrick Forest in the county of South Ayrshire and my most remote onroad route of this tour.

North Balloch. Another scene of this stretch of national cycle route 7 and was taken on my route from Newton Stewart to the seaside resort of Ayr.

Crosshill. An ancient weaving village situated in South Ayrshire. The last place of civilisation for 20 miles, if heading in the Glentrool direction.

The seaside resort and county town of Ayr. This Scene is on the seafront looking in the south direction and noted for its golden sands.

Ayr. This is a town centre scene of this popular holiday resort and this is looking towards Wallace Tower. One of the towns historic buildings

Ayr.

Ayr

Ayr. Another seafront view of this resort and this is looking towards the north end with its open green spaces.

The pleasent seaside resort of Troon, Situated about 10 miles north of Ayr and is home to the Royal Troon Golf Club. This scene is at the south beach.

Ardrossan. Situated about 30 miles north of Ayr, on the West Scotland Coast and this scene is The Isle Of Arran ferry terminal.

The Isle Of Arran. Taken while crossing over on the Ferry and this scene is looking towards The Isle Of Arran near Brodick

The Isle Of Arran. This is at Brodick water front and is my most northerly point to this day in my cycling history. Total 270 miles from Harrogate.

Isle Of Arran. This scene is looking north, across Brodick Bay and is one of my best pictures of the West Scotland Coast.

Isle Of Arran. This is looking south towards Brodick and this is the gateway holiday village to this popular west Scotland tourist destination.

Girvan. Another scene of South West Scotlands holiday resorts and this scene is looking north across its picturequqe harbour.

Girvan. This scene is looking over towards Alisa Crag situated in the north channel

Girvan. This is looking down towards the south end of the seafront and this is a typical deserted Monday morning scene.

Girvan. Another scene of this holiday town, looking south towards Woodland Bay.

Loch Ryan. Situated between the Rhins and the Galloway hills and was taken from Stranraer sea front.

Stranraer. Important Scottish Ferry port and partly, seaside town and serves for destinations to Ireland and beyond.

Stranraer. Another waterfront view of this south west Scotland seaside town and this is on the coast path looking towards Mc Cuuloch's Point.

Stranraer. This is a town centre scene of this British port and was taken on a train jurney while taking a rest of the road.

Gatehouse Viaduct. Used to be the old Wigtown and Portpatrick railway Line. It also served Loch Ken and the Galloway Forest until its closure in 1965.

Loch Granoch. Situated in the Galloway Forest and is on the offroad stretch of cycle route 7 between Creetown and Bruce's Stone.

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Photographs From My Cycle Tours During The 1980s

Pictures From My Cycle Tour Of The Eastern Dales Featuring Highlights Of The Bilton To Knaresborough Cycle Track

Pictures From My Cycle Tour Of Swaledale And The North Pennines

Pictures From My Cycle Tours Of The North York Moors And East Coast

Pictures From My Cycle Tour Of East Yorkshire Featuring The Trans Pennine Trail

Pictures From My Cycle Tour To North Wales From Harrogate Via The Trans Pennine Trail

Pictures From My Cycle Tour Of Lancashire Featuring Morecambe Bay And The Forest Of Bowland

Pictures From Cycle Tour Of The Western Dales

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