South West Coastal 300

The route starts at Gretna Green and runs along the Solway coast, round the Rhins of Galloway and back through the Galloway Forest Park. It is quiet compared with the NC500, has dark sky areas and plenty of beaches, and works well as a week or a long weekend.

The stops

1. Start

   Gretna Green

2. Town

   Dumfries

   Burns's last home

3. Town

   Kirkcudbright

   Artists' town on the Dee

4. Town

   Wigtown

   Scotland's book town

5. Viewpoint

   Mull of Galloway

   Scotland's most southerly point

6. Town

   Portpatrick

   Harbour village

7. Park

   Galloway Forest Park

   Dark sky park with forest drives

8. Worth a look

   Culzean Castle

   Castle and gardens on the Ayrshire coast

9. Back to the start

   Gretna Green

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Kirkcudbright

  Seaward Caravan Park

• Night 2

  Portpatrick

  Galloway Point Holiday Park

When to go

Apr–Oct

On the road

Mix of A and B roads; some narrow sections