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The Beautiful South (of Scotland) & a wee bit of England
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:13 pm
by Flintlock
So, not long back from a long weekend in Scotland. Friday 18th, weather report looking good & I boarded the 07.30 Stena Belfast to Cairnryan crossing. Rolled off the ferry just after 10am. Normally I avoid the busy A77 that follows the coast north, however myself and a few other bikers rolled off the ferry first - so no queue of traffic in front, so I decided to take the A77 north for a bit and look for a suitable road leading inland towards the hills.
I soon found one just as I rode into the village of Ballantrae - the B7044, followed it inland until it joined the B734 to Pinwherry, therI turned right onto the A714 and into the village of Barrhill. Just outside the village and another right into the B7027
All great roads so far
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Re: The Beautiful South (of Scotland) & a wee bit of England
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:24 pm
by Flintlock
I follow the B7027 to its end and turn right into the A714 and into Newton Stewart. From here it the A712 ( The Queens Way) up to the start of the Raiders Road - a 10 mile section of unsurfaced forest road that runs alongside the River Dee. A £2 toll charge applies a short distant in.
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Re: The Beautiful South (of Scotland) & a wee bit of England
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:25 pm
by Heff
Re: The Beautiful South (of Scotland) & a wee bit of England
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:26 pm
by Heff
Good to see a wee bit of off road
Re: The Beautiful South (of Scotland) & a wee bit of England
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:33 pm
by Flintlock
A few miles in and a stop for a break and a spot of fishing at the Otter Pool - an area with picnic tables and public toilets to avail of if need be.
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No joy with the fishing - the Otters must have had them all
,however a lovely place to chill for a while
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Re: The Beautiful South (of Scotland) & a wee bit of England
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:38 pm
by Flintlock
Another few miles and the Forest road skirts round Loch Stroan - another nice place to stop a while
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Re: The Beautiful South (of Scotland) & a wee bit of England
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:16 pm
by Flintlock
At the end of the Raiders Road I turned right onto the A762, then another right into an un-named road that took me into Gatehouse of Fleet. From here I took the B796 - more nice roads
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That led me to the Big Water of Fleet Viaduct - impressive
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Re: The Beautiful South (of Scotland) & a wee bit of England
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:18 pm
by Flintlock
Every day a learning day - I never associated Scotland with snakes
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Re: The Beautiful South (of Scotland) & a wee bit of England
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:23 pm
by Flintlock
Couple more pics from the top of the Viaduct
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Re: The Beautiful South (of Scotland) & a wee bit of England
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2021 7:56 am
by Steve T
Tis a cracking area to visit and ride isn't it. A really ace guy, Austin W, used to organise rides through any and all of the Galloway forest, which was really great.
On my way over to your country back in 2015 I wild camped below that viaduct, in the small fenced off picnic area. I was going to pitch down near the river. Glad I didn't because it rained all night and the river was all over the area of grass on either side of the river you see in your shot from the viaduct.
Glad you enjoyed the break. Carry on posting your photos - they're ace and thanks for sharing.
Steve T