Dean and Gillian's Scottish Adventures: 2026

Tuesday, 15 September 2026

Dean and Gillian's , Dumfries and Galloway Odyssey - Part 3

After a restful at Dalswinton, Alex ensured we were will fed for breakfast before setting out on the next stage of our journey.

Fuelled up and ready to leave Dalswinton.

We continued our cycle through lovely quiet Dumfries and Galloway roads before coming to the town of Thornhill. It was about time for lunch so we went to the Jaggy Bean Cafe on the high street and enjoyed a good coffee and a bagel.

Roads less travelled

Carr's enjoying the lack of cars !!

After enjoying a relatively flat cycle through the countryside it was time to do a bit of work, climbing up the Mennock pass to the highest village in Scotland: Wanlockhead. Worryingly there were road signs indicating the road was closed, but there was no other way to go, so we had to take a chance and go for it !!

Oh no !!!!!

Nice workman let us pass !!!

Wanlockhead

We cycled though Wanlockhead to the second highest village in Scotland, Leadhills where we were staying for the night. Gillian got a puncture about a mile from the hotel !!!!. So we could enjoying a pint while fixing the puncture !!!!

We stayed at the Hopetoun Arms Hotel a nice traditional hotel and the highest in Scotland

Fixing punctures

Enjoying a pint in Scotland's highest hotel !!!!

Dalswinton estate to Leadhills 31.31miles, 2717 foot climb.

Route Map: https://www.strava.com/activities/19879664275

Lunch stop: The Jaggy Bean

Accommodation: Hopetoun Arms Hotel

Friday, 4 September 2026

Dean and Gillian's , Dumfries and Galloway Odyssey - Part 2

After a peaceful nights rest in our room , we were up early for our hearty breakfast of porridge and toast. We then went along to the temple to listen to a teaching from a visiting Tibetan monk. The was a really unique experience the temple was full of people and we were able to sit at the back and take it all in. There was chanting and meditation as the monk spoke in Tibetan and it was translated into English. I found the experience very peaceful and relaxing, but I'm not sure i'm ready to shave my hair off yet !!!!

Temple before the teaching

It was then time to leave the monastery and continue further on our adventure into Dumfries and Galloway. Well we lasted about a mile and half before we decided to stop for "second breakfast" at the Eskdalemuir Old School Hub and cafe. I was glad we stopped it is a really cool place. There is a shop and a really good cafe that does a very looking Sunday lunch.

Might have to come back for Sunday lunch.

Second breakfast !!!

Leaving the Eskdalemuir hub

A lovely stop but we really had to get on the road and do some cycling. We headed west through the Eskdalemuir forest then through village of Boreland. We then crossed the bridge over the M8 and stopped for a break at Loch Mabon. I would really recommend an ice cream at Crolla's if your ever in town.

Another fuel stop !!!!

After ice cream we cycled through the beautiful D&G countryside passing many farms and lots of cows.

Cow crossing !!!!

We made it to Dalswinton estate where our friend Alex fed us and put us up for the night. We had a lovely work around the estate as the sunset on another that for D&G in D&G !!!

With Alex at Dalswinton

Dalswinton gardens

Dalswinton church

Sunset over Dalswinton

Eskdalemuir to Dalswinton estate 30.82 miles, 1649 foot climb.

Route Map: https://www.strava.com/activities/19866919738

Second breakfast stop: Eskdalemuir Old School Hub and cafe

Ice cream Stop: Crolla's Gelato

Accommodation: Alex's house !!!

Sunday, 30 August 2026

Dean and Gillian's , Dumfries and Galloway Odyssey - Part 1

For this years "adventure for our doorstep" we decided to head south and explore a bit of Dumfries and Galloway and the Lowther hills. Our trip would last 4 days covering 30-40 miles per day which felt a good distance considering the hills we would be cycling up.

Day 1 - Peebles to the Samye Ling Buddhist Monastery.

We started out from Peebles on a sunny Saturday morning. Our route took us to Traquair the over our first climb over "Paddy Slacks" then down into the Yarrow Valley. Sadly the new look Gordon Arms doesn't to coffee (or beers) so we were straight into our next climb up and over Berrybush before a cracking descent on a brilliant road surface into the Ettrick valley. Both climbs although long are very gradual and we could establish a good climbing pace. We stopped for a wee coffee and cake break at the Beehive Shop and Cafe just before the village of Ettrick.

Coffee and cake at the Behive

Ettrick

After our refreshment we had a quick look around the village of Ettrick, birthplace of the poet James Hogg the Ettrick Shepherd.

Ettrick monmunent

Ettrick Kirk

James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd

We then cycled through the beautiful Ettrick valley, along past Loch Tima before a lovely descent into Dumfries and Galloway to our first nights accommodation at the Samye Ling Buddhist Monastery.

Loch Tima

D&G crossing into D&G

D&G roads

They have a hostel and provides vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner. The grounds of the Monastery are stunning with amazing gardens and Buddhist statues. There is temple which you can look around and join in a teaching if you like !!!! A very quiet and tranquil spot in the Eskdale valley.