http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/galloway-forest-park/bells-memorial

http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/galloway-forest-park/carrick-forest-drive

http://ayrshirescotland.com/loch-doon.html

Edited 19 June, 20169 yr by GoneOffSKi

One of my best drives was from IOS across to Raasay. Calmac ferry from Sky and no coppers on Raasay.

Midges a plenty and sheep everywhere but stunning scenery.

That is a long way up Scotland. Galloway Forest Dark Sky park is rather handy for those in the South of Scotland.

From the Glen Trool to Straiton (or as far as Stinchar Bridge to head to Loch Doon via the Forest Drive) has a just wonderful stretch of road.

Great Cycling roads.

http://ayrshirealps.org

 

http://scottishdarkskyobservatory.co.uk/about-us

Edited 27 September, 20168 yr by Offski

Bumping this thread since @roottoot mentioned it in another thread... this is in my neck of the woods and is a great way to get to Castle Douglas, Dumfries, or the borders IMO.

 

Loch Doon is a nice bit to stop, as is Dalmellington, the butchers in the Square does some nice filled rolls.

 

Some from 'up t'loch'

 

 

 

 

 

The castle doesn't have much and is closed at present, but it's nice to have your lunch in there. ^^

 

From the entrance and the wee car park at the burn... The Roundhouse Cafe is just at the end of the Loch Doon dam and is rather lovely for a wee roll and slice sausage.

 

 

 

Have spent alot of time on the roads down that way (grew up in Troon), the drive can be equally spectacular on a clear night as you get into the dark skies zone in the Galloway forest park. Really is a hidden gem as most tourists stay on the M74 and head straight for the A9 or over to Edinburgh.

A few months before the original lockdown we had an overnight booked down by Gatehouse of Fleet, we decided to go the more direct rather than scenic route (via Stranraer) which meant turning off the A77 just after Minishant, after a few miles of twisty backroads eventually we ended up on the dusty forest tracks which are like being on your own rally stage. Just beware of the lorries coming the other way in the narrower parts. Purely from a driving point of view they are an absolute hoot. 

16 minutes ago, Hawk89 said:

(grew up in Troon)

 

I was born in Irvine and lived in Mauchline for some time. No stranger to Troon though. I like to go to the Morrisons there, get a piece and then go over to the car park by the shore and watch the dogs on the beach.

 

The A713 is a good bit of road too (well not in terms of road surface) and actually runs near my house. The stretch between Dalmellington and Carsphairn can get a wee bit hairy at times IMO but otherwise quite nice. 

 

I quite like the A76 too when you get to the twisties after the Leadhills when Dumfries bound.

7 minutes ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

 

I was born in Irvine and lived in Mauchline for some time. No stranger to Troon though. I like to go to the Morrisons there, get a piece and then go over to the car park by the shore and watch the dogs on the beach.

 

The A713 is a good bit of road too (well not in terms of road surface) and actually runs near my house. The stretch between Dalmellington and Carsphairn can get a wee bit hairy at times IMO but otherwise quite nice. 

 

I quite like the A76 too when you get to the twisties after the Leadhills when Dumfries bound.

 

The car park at ballast bank (head down past Scotts towards the Wee Hurrie and turn left just at the gates to the harbour) is a nice place to park up as well, easy to walk round for a chippy and sit up on the grass bank. (Mind the seagulls!) 

 

When heading South we used to always cut down through Sanqhuar onto the Leadhills / Mennock road which comes out at the 74, think it is junction 14 if memory serves. Always a fantastic drive avoiding the sheep and pheasants. Nice wee place to sit out next to the burn / camp overnight as well. Last time I was through there it was full of motorhomes sadly. 

 

Ayrshire is just blessed with great backroads, we probably shouldn't be advertising them or others will come clog them up 😅

2 minutes ago, Hawk89 said:

 

The car park at ballast bank (head down past Scotts towards the Wee Hurrie and turn left just at the gates to the harbour) is a nice place to park up as well, easy to walk round for a chippy and sit up on the grass bank. (Mind the seagulls!) 

 

When heading South we used to always cut down through Sanqhuar onto the Leadhills / Mennock road which comes out at the 74, think it is junction 14 if memory serves. Always a fantastic drive avoiding the sheep and pheasants. Nice wee place to sit out next to the burn / camp overnight as well. Last time I was through there it was full of motorhomes sadly. 

 

Ayrshire is just blessed with great backroads, we probably shouldn't be advertising them or others will come clog them up 😅

 

I'll need to try that bit at Troon next time.

 

Och aye. I've got a mate in Muirkirk so when going North or South I'll join the 74 at Lanark after going through Douglas etc. Nice wee run, can't remember the junction but I remember having to join the fairly steep uphill slip-road in 3rd gear because the car wouldn't do it in 4th.

Also, fun fact of the day (maybe one for @roottoot), do you know the house you see down in the valley area when up the Loch Doon road? It's down this street view thing here...

 

 

Well anyway, that belongs to the gas engineer who services our boiler.

I was gutted when i heard some toerag had stolen the bronze otters from the Raider's Road.  I mind spending many a summer round Glentrool camping with the family.

Sadly a young lad of 24 died in Loch Doon at the weekend while camping there.

http://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-60900634

 

16 minutes ago, roottoot said:

Sadly a young lad of 24 died in Loch Doon at the weekend while camping there.

http://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-60900634

 

 

Aye I had read this, it's very unfortunate. Actually posted it in the 'saddened' thread. It happens all too frequently unfortunately. The one before this one was a boy a few years above me at school. There's been various lifebuoy rings placed up and around the loch for such an unfortunate situation these days thanks to the local councillor and the council.

Shame to read about that, people just don't realise how deep and difficult the lochs can be. Loch Doon in particular can catch alot of people out.

And then there's the fact that the water is usually, if not always, absolutely bloody baltic, even in summer. That definitely catches a lot of folk out.