Girvan
Added on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
The South West corner of Scotland is one of the country’s best kept tourism secrets. That’s mainly because so many visitors head like lemmings for the Highlands and Islands, ignoring the lush Galloway hills, ever-changing Solway coast and the rolling farmland of Ayrshire.
If your kind of biking fun means empty roads, friendly accommodation and sleepy little towns, this part of the world could be two-wheeled paradise.
The Route
Girvan - Newton Stewart - Stranraer - Girvan
Our starting point is the small coastal resort of Girvan, in Ayrshire. The town makes a handy base for a long weekend’s exploration of the region if you fancy it, which is highly recommended, as it will take a day’s travel to get here from almost anywhere in England or Wales. Great views of Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran in the distance at Girvan by the way.
Take the A714 for Newton Stewart at the roundabout located at the Southerly end of the town, which rapidly rises into the hills, featuring some very tight twisty bends. Many are blind, with roaming livestock a distinct possibility, so be careful. Slow down a bit at the village of Barrhill and if you fancy a scenic detour take the B7027.
If not, stick to the A714 as it flicks across deserted patches of moorland and dives through the edge of the Galloway forest for the next 20 odd miles. You need to be on the lookout for slow moving agricultural and forestry vehicles, plus wildlife of all shapes and sizes, including deer. It’s also a road with a terrifically variable surface - from billiard table smooth to virtual Moto X track.
Stop at Newton Stewart if you need a breather, then pick up the main A75 for a blast along to Stranraer. This road does get some HGV and ferry traffic, but if you’re from anywhere South of Preston, you’ll appreciate the sheer space and emptiness of this smooth tarmac. Watch out for mobile speed traps though…
Stranraer has plenty of cafes, shops and two ferry terminals to tempt the casual visitor, but if you have the time, head along the A77 to Portpatrick - a glimpse of a vanished Scotland, real picture postcard stuff.
After a breather, pick up the awesome A77 Northbound, which is signed for Cairnryan and Ayr out of Stranraer. You need to keep your speed down at first passing through 30mph and 40mph villages, but after a few miles it opens out into one of the all time great biking roads. The sea to your left, the hills on your right and precious little traffic in front…magical.
The A77 breaks away from hugging the coastline for a few miles, rising and falling through hills and forests, with some incredible twisty sections to challenge sportbike fans. Be warned, Giormost are fast sweepers, but occasionally, the A77 throws a 90 degree pearler at you - usually with a blind corner entry - so don’t set yourself too steep a learning curve.
The final section from Ballantrae to Girvan is the most fun you can have on two wheels, as it dips and dives along the rocky coastline. Slow down for the villages en route, because many tourists are prone to stopping with very little warning to take pictures, buy stamps, or just pull over to fall asleep for a while. The long, snaking drop into Girvan offers fantastic views as you slow down from the ride, with the Southern car park having a handy beach-front kiosk for a brew and a snack.
Time to sit on the beach for a while with a zen-like expression of dopey happiness on your face. Yep, biking really should be this good every day…
Speed Traps
No Gatso cameras spotted on the route at the time of writing (August 2000) but regular speed traps with VASCAR equipped patrol cars, plus hand-held radar traps reported by local bikers on the A75, particularly near Stranraer. Many sections of open, near deserted roads, make it easy for the law to spot you, a long, long time before you see them hiding in lay-bys, farm tracks etc. Remember the speed limit on A roads is 60mph, not 70mph…
Biker Beds
The area is packed with farmhouse Bed and Breakfast, small guest houses etc. Mostly, people turn up on spec, but if you are looking to book in advance - which is recommended in high season (June-July-August) contact the Scottish Tourist Board where you will find a large accommodation section.
If you have a fortnight to spare, the South West of Scotland makes a convenient jumping off point for a trip across to Northern Ireland too, with daily ferry sailings, including the new, much faster, Sea-Cat service.
Pitstops
Bar Pazzerello in Stranraer is a cafe/nightclub, which - bravely - offers half price drinks on Friday nights. Sounds lively, but if you prefer a quieter snack, try the Arkhouse Inn on Church Street, Stranraer, or even the amusingly named Passage To India, on Hanover Street.
Girvan’s South Beach car park, which is the start/finish point on this triangular route, also has a very respectable snack bar on the seafront and Stranraer has a couple of chippies which are renowned for fresh fish and healthy portions of the old potato product. Nice.
