Approximate Duration:

6 hour 50 minutes

Approximate Distance:

252 miles (405 km)

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Scottish Castles Route

South West Scotland


[ PLANNING: For places to Stay | Eat | Shop | Visit | Refuel on and around this route view the South West Scotland Page on a new tab hereLink ]

Route at a Glance

The Scottish Castles route is the full monty – exploring the full extent of the Galloway region. See the rolling hills and stunning scenery with a little history thrown in if it takes your fancy. These Scottish castles are either real working castles or relics, so get lost in time. Starting out from Moffat you will find yourself immediately in the bends with a great little diversion onto the Greenhill Stairs road. Make sure your GPS device is turned off motorways so you can enjoy the parallel road – B7076 a two lane fast but quiet road. Just a few more miles on and you turn onto the Dalveen Pass. Riding Heaven! Not particularly challenging or extreme but some brilliant bends, twisties, highs and lows. Throw in some amazing scenery and you have got The Dalveen Pass in one.

After your visit to the amazing Drumlanrig Castle you will revel in the bends along the A76 for the next 10 to 15 miles.With some great roads all the way to Port Patrick a lovely little coastal village that attracts lots of bikers – for good reason. The start of the return leg takes you over some coastal roads through Kirkudbright (Pronounced CURCOULDBREE). The artist Town with all that the name implies. The last stretch through Dumfries, Caerlaverock Castle – a moated triangular castle first built in the 13th century and finally through the serene Lochmaben on some gentle country lanes all the way back to Moffat.


Route Notes & Highlights

(Icons on the map)

  • Threave Castle – On an island in the River Dee stands Threave Castle, a massive 14th century tower built by Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway. In order to reach the Castle you have to ring the custodian’s bell for the ferryman to take you across, however this service is seasonal.
  • Loch Doon Castle
  • Drumlanrig Castle – The Castle has 120 rooms, 17 turrets and four towers but what will really impress you is the grand red tar driveway over 300 meters long and lined by manicured green grass and trees. Lovely gardens and well worth a visit.
  • Morton Castle 
  • Lochmaben Castle
  • MacLellan’s Castle
  • Cardoness Castle
  • Castle of St. John
  • Glenluce Abbey
  • Carsluith Castle
  • Kenmure Castle
  • Caerlaverock Castle
  • Culzean Castle – A fantastic sight of turrets and battlements, Culzean Castle is surrounded by wild seas, lush forests and spectacular gardens. It featured in the cult m1973 movie, ‘The Wicker Man’.

Gallery

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Filling Stations on Route

On this route you have a couple of navigational choices to make. However, this route takes you through a number of towns with fuel stations.

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