Cycle ride on North Rhins to Corsewall Lighthouse

 Wednesday 15 September 2021.

Another revisiting of places from May 2019, with variations. 

The morning began beautifully - 

The forecast was for cloud to increase with rain later… but we decided to risk it anyway.  Breakfast eaten and lunch and coffee flask packed, we were ready by around 10. There is a steep hill out of Portpatrick, and a long pull after the left turn onto the B738. Opposite the Rawer Road, the donkey we saw last time was still in residence. At his point I switched my map app on to trace our route.

We rode downhill through woodland and rhododendron  bushes. At this time of the year the bluebells and rhododendron flowers have been replaced by fuchsia hedges and montbretia and of course, blackberries and haws.

We stopped for a ritual coffee and cake at the same spot as on the previous ride.

We followed the B738 along its twists and turns, past the Marian Tower, 

until a mile or so before Kirkcolm there is a left turn, and Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel is signposted. 

This road is single track and quite rough in places.

Look carefully - is the ship making off with Ailsa Craig?

We passed a mini-cannon and were pleased to see that the hotel was definitely open and serving coffee - an a very good cup it was too.

A Yorkshireman sitting in the next room jumped up and offered to take a photo of us both.

More views of passing ships, before we tackled the climb back up, then a downhill glide to the village of Kirkcolm, where we recently learned that a family of Harry’s ancestors lived, after leaving Ireland.

A little further along the shore of Loch Ryan we lunched at a spot on Wig Bay where the RAF operated flying boats during World War Two. 

From there we took the turning off the A718 just after Soleburn garden centre and rode uphill - a pretty long drag, then through Glenstockadale, eventually reaching the B738 and the long downhill stretch (some of it rather bumpy) rejoingin the main road into Portpatrick.

On the seafront we paused only to hear the voice of the Yorkshireman we met at the lighthouse: “Would you like me to take a picture of both of you?” 

We failed to take a photo of him in return!

Then back for a shower and a cup of tea.  The rain didn’t arrive until after 5 pm. A great ride - just over 32 miles according to our apps!

A gentler bike ride - the northern end of the Rhins of Galloway

Thursday 16 May 2019. Thirty one and a half miles, with 950 feet of ups and downs.

A slightly earlier start than on Tuesday, and the intention of taking it steady...next time we're in the area the target will be Corsewall Lighthouse. 
Another brilliant ride, with masses of wildflowers again. I love the scent of wild garlic and bluebells.

We rode up the obligatory hill out of Portpatrick, along the A77 as far as the left turn along the B738, which we followed past Portslogan, ignoring a right turn on Rawer Road, where the Southern Upland Way footpath crossed our route and another right turn to Glaick and Stranraer.

We rode through some beautiful woodland, with bluebells and rhodendrons, and turned left at a junction with the B7043 to Leswalt. Instead of taking the Leswalt road we passed farms and settlements of Galdenoch, Knocknain and Cairnbrook.  We paused for a coffee at a grassy junction just before the road turned north (left) at a right angle. 

Oy, oy, what are you up to? We had coffee just across the road from these cows, with Little Cairnbrook in the distance.

Ervie was the next point marked on the map - there's not much there either. We turned left and followed minor roads to reach South Cairn, from where there was a rough road down to the shore - we'd seen warnings that high speed ferries could cause unexpectedly high waves, though we didn't think they'd reach as far up as we were!

Then we tried to get to North Cairn, but it was not easily accessible by bike, so we returned to the road.
When we saw a sign that Corsewall Hotel and lighthouse was three miles away along a road to our left, we considered it, but six miles was a step to far... so we decided to head along the A718 for Kirkcolm, and the possibility of a shop, or a pub, instead. Kirkcolm Community shop was on the village sign, but was closed, probably for good! The pub didn't look any healthier.  Luckily we had brought food with us, and found a picnic site looking across to Cairnryan.

We didn't hang about long, since it was windy.
The next three miles along the main road were hard work, with Loch Ryan on our left while we cycled against a strong headwind. When we arrived at Soleburn Garden Centre we were delighted to stop. Garden Centres with their coffee shops are modern oases.
From there we continued on the A718 for a short distance up to a roundabout. Straight on along a B road, past the other end of Rawer Road, and Glaick, to rejoin our route out, returning to Portpatrick on the B738 and A77. 

Near the Southern Upland Way

Another fabulous day out, and another meal at the Harbour House Hotel.
And finally, just to prove it wasn't flat...