SCOTLAND



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This route - 110 miles, 178 kilometres
Total continuous driving time without any stops approx 3hrs 45 mins.

Depart Dumfries on A701 North North East heading for Moffat, through Parkgate, over St Annes Bridge and skirting around Beattock Village. The A701 is quite an easy road to ride, but at dawn and dusk watch out through the wooded areas for wild deer leaping across the road!

At the roundabout, take the second exit for a local road past the Ambulance station.This runs parallel to the M74 and used to be one half of the old A74.Continue North past the Auchen Castle turn- off. This motorway service road is mostly sweeping bends and long straights, but watch out for the odd roundabout at motorway exits and junctions! Watch out at 33 miles for Wanlockhead (Scotland’s highest village) A702 / B7040. It will be a left hand junction under the M74 motorway. Follow the signs for Wanlockhead B7040 / B797 (41 miles)

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Continue on the B797 which sweeps and drops down through a dramatic valley gorge with plenty of kamakazie sheep grazing at the road side to test your nerve and braking skills,( you have been warned!).The B797 eventually emerges onto the A76 at Mennock (47 miles).

Turn South East, left on to A76 heading towards Thornhill. On entering the 30 mph zone in Thornhill look out for the A702 right hand turn, sign posted Penpont and Moniaive.(58 miles).

Continue West on A702 through Penpont till you reach Moniaive (66 miles).

Continue on A702 to St Johns Town of Dalry (79 miles).

Turn left South East on to the A713, and enjoy the combination of sweeping bends and fast straights for the next approx 16 miles to Castle Douglas (95 miles).

Leave Castle Douglas picking up the A75 heading West back eventually to Dumfries (118 miles).

Thanks to Andy Bird of the Fugitives MCC for supplying this route.