Newton Stewart to Wigtown via Isle of Whithorn

Apart from some extraordinary landscapes and stunning photogenic scenery, there are the marks of history and culture all along this route.

You might want to choose the direction of your ride wisely - the wind is mostly SW in summer!
Set off from Newton Stewart on the well signed Bike Route 73 to Wigtown. You might want to have a quick look at the Martyr's Stake just before you enter the town. If you can drag yourself past the cafes and bookshops, go straight through the town on the A733. You will soon come to the Standing Stones at Torhouse. Beyond, the route goes through Spittal and the turns left along the B7052. On this stretch, approx half way, is a very unusual Standing Stone in the field to your left, called the Crow Stone, or Hole Stone - very much worth a visit. After your next right turn you head towards the coast - a steady climb, and a descent to the Solway Coast.
This is the area where Tarka the Otter was written by Gavin Maxwell. Head towards Port William, Monreith, Glasserton and Isle of Whithorn. Note, you will pass Chapel Finian, St. Ninian’s Cave, still a place of pilgrimage and reverence. From Isle of Whithorn it’s the coast road via Garlieston (test site for Mulberry Harbours for WW2) and further on Bladnoch (Bladnoch Distillery) and Wigtown again ( this time you can stop! ), to retrace your route then back to Newton Stewart.
Cafes/Food/Shop: Newton Stewart, Wigtown, Port Willian, Isle of Whithorn, Garlieston, Bladnoch.