14th July 2015
This is one of those cycling bucket list rides that you
think about but never do. So here we go full of enthusiasm. Glentrool Visitor
Centre acts as the starting point for this 58 km ride.
From the visitor centre you should take the tarred road
towards Bruce’s Stone. But as I know the area I decided to follow the foot path
up behind the visitor centre and make my way over to a waterfall that sits above the
tarred road and brings you out at Culdons which is an old campsite from years ago.
Waterfall
Follow the road towards the campsite, go over a bridge and
stop at the notice board. At this point you could make a small detour to the Martyr’s Grave, which is a grave of a Covenantor. From the notice board you follow
the road up to a junction where you keep right, this takes you up into the
hills towards Ferrach Burn. Follow the
forest road up over the hills and you eventually come to the Wood of Cree road. At this point you can turn
right and go to the bridge where if the water is high you can get spectacular
photo’s.
View from the highest point overlooking Glentrool
View from the bridge on the Cree road
At the Wood of Cree road turn left and continue on the road
for a few miles. You pass a picnic area on the right called the Wood of Cree
car park where there is a raised platform, from it you might catch a glimpse of
some Otters. The next car park you come to on the left is called Barclye. There is a few forest walks here which you
could enjoy if you have time.
Wood of Cree car park / picnic area
Poster on the raised platform at the Otter viewing point
View from the Otter platform
Eventually you come to a church which is in Minnigaff. Follow
the road round the right of the church and down hill to the junction where you
turn left. Continue on this section of road till you come to “ Glenhoise
Cottage “, watch at this point as there are no signs or waymarkers to inform
you of the direction to take. The only sign is a “ No Through Road “. Take the “
No Through Road “ and follow it to the next junction where there is a house
called Auckinleck. Turn right at this point onto a forest road. From here right
over to Loch Dee the hills get tough as they are long and steep and zap the
strength from the legs.
Church at Minnigaff
At the next junction keep straight then at the waymarker
number thirty turn left on to the Old Edinburgh Road. That’s you half way round.
WHOOPEE !!!!! the legs are knackered.
The half way marker
The Old Edinburgh Road sign
The next section is quite boring with lots of hills and some
nice views, as you cycle parallel to the New Galloway Road ( A712 ). You pass a track that takes you
over to Kirroughtree 7 Stanes Black Route and you also pass Murray’s Monument. Eventually
as you rise up over one of the many hills you get your first view of Black Loch.
As you descend the hill you come to an open area. At this point if you look
over to your right you will see some old sheep pens where if you look closely
there are stone sculpted heads. (the sheep pens are marked The Quorum on the
map)
View from the Old Edinburgh Road
Another view from the Old Edinburgh Road
The first sighting of Black Loch
I first heard about the stone heads from my son. He was out
hill walking and wild camping in the area and came across them be accident. The
information he gave me was that the stones were part of a wall next to the
forest road. WELL he tends to exaggerate a bit, as the stones were in fact down
a path next to a burn inside the sheep pens. I think he takes that from his
mum. Anyway, the stones are worth a visit as they are very interesting.
From the Quorum continue down hill to Black Loch which has a
sculpture called the Eye. It looks more like an upside down cone than anything
else.
Black Loch
Black Loch
The Eye
After you have taken the obligatory photo’s continue uphill
following the side of the loch past Poultrybuie Hill and Munwhul where again
there are fantastic views. Don’t turn off this forest road and you will end up
at Loch Dee. As you pass Loch Dee there is a Bothy called White Laggan which is
basic but alright for a night out in the wild. As you ascend the forest road
away from Loch Dee towards Loch Trool you pass one of the 7 Stanes sculptures
which is called the Axe Head.
Lunch break where I fell asleep
First sighting of Loch Dee
White Laggan Bothy
View of Loch Dee from the Glentrool side
The Axe Head sculpture with Loch Dee in the back ground
From here you follow the waymarkers up through the Glen till
you get to Buchan Bridge which is named after the famous writer John Buchan. It’s
uphill from here to Bruce’s Stone where you get a good view over Loch Trool. This
is where Robert the Bruce fought the English army in 1307.
View of the Glen towards Loch Trool
View of Loch Trool from Bruce's Stone
There are two routes to get back to the visitor centre, one
is straight down the tarred road and the other is down the tarred road till you
reach a waymarker for a forest walk on your left. Follow this track and you
end up back at the notice board next to Culdons campsite. From here head
towards the Martyr’s Tomb and the along the river’s edge back to the visitor
centre car park.
This route is a full day’s cycling but very enjoyable. If I ever
do it again, I will do it in reverse so that I don’t have to go up the hill at
Bruce’s Stone.
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