Drumlanrig Castle to St Johns Town of Dalry
- 7stanes Ae Forest
- 7stanes Dalbeattie
- 7stanes Kirroughtree
- 7stanes Mabie
- Carrick Forest
- Clatteringshaws Loch
- Drumlanrig
- Drumlanrig Castle to St Johns Town of Dalry
- Glentrool and Clatteringshaws Loch
- Lochinvar Circular
- Lowther Hills and the River Clyde
- Lowther Hills Circular
- Newton Stewart to the Isle of Whithorn
- Stranraer to Dunbar
- Stranraer to Newton Stewart
- The Merrick Circle
Enjoy a peaceful cycle through the picturesque village of Keir Mill, the place where Kirkpatrick Macmillan invented the world's first pedal powered bicycle, and along the River Nith to to St Johns Town of Dalry.
This 34 mile long return route goes through the village of Keir Mill where the world's first pedal powered bicycle was invented. Prior to this there had only been hobby horses - you pushed on the ground with your feet. In 1842 Kirkpatrick Macmillan made the crucial step of inventing pedals so enabling effective propulsion. These were attached to levers and then attached to the rear wheel. This proved a success. He never patented his idea and it was widely copied. You can see the smithy where he worked near Keir Mill.
Fellow villagers thought him mad for dreaming up the idea. Look out for a brass plaque on the smithy where Kirkpatrick MacMillan worked just before reaching Keir Mill. He rode his cumbersome machine 68 miles over rough roads from his home to Glasgow to visit his two school teacher brothers. In June 1842 the inventor was fined 5 shillings for speeding at 8 mph into the Gorbals and knocking down a little girl in the crush that awaited this 'Devil on Wheels'. The magistrate was sufficiently impressed to ask Macmillan for a figure-of-eight demonstration in the courtyard, and is said to have slipped him the money for the fine. You might also like to look for his gravestone in Keir Mill graveyard. It's in the old graveyard which is on the right down a lane 50 m beyond the church leaving the village. It's the only grey coloured gravestone. A reproduction of his bicycle is on display in the cycle museum in Drumlanrig Castle together with many others, all of later date.
The return part of a circular route from St Johns Town of Dalry to Drumlanrig Castle is on quiet back roads.
Leave Drumlanrig Castle via the west back entry passing a woodland walks sign and a pond; turn left on to the public road. After this just keep on to Penpont, cross the A702 and continue to Keir Mill. Look out for a brass plaque on the smithy where Kirkpatrick MacMillan (the inventor of the bicycle) worked just before reaching Keir Mill. You might also like to look for MacMillan's gravestone in Keir Mill graveyard. It's in the old graveyard which is down a lane 50 m after the church leaving the village. It's the only grey coloured gravestone. One might have thought that it would be lovingly cared for by groups of cyclists who regularly came with flowers but this does not appear to be the case.
After Keir Mill the route continues south following the River Nith until you turn right at Glenmidge. The glen is easily identifiable as the hills by the road suddenly get very steep. After this cross the B729 to Dunscore where you can find a village shop and real ale in the George Hotel. The correct route going west out of Dunscore is a descent to the river (Cairn Water). A climb south (church and graveyard) is the wrong way. West of Dunscore the route is a narrow quiet road through moorland and forest until you reach the A712. At Balmaclellan there's a village shop and a shoe-making workshop The tearooms of St Johns Town of Dalry are not far either!
Search
Skip search formsSearch for accommodation
Search for attractions
Search for events
Search for activities
Newsletter sign up »
Sign up now to receive regular e-newsletters and be the first to hear about the latest news, exciting events and festivals.
Order a free brochure »
Order Dumfries and Galloway Brochures & Guides, such as the Accommodation Guide, Visitors Guide, Golf Guide, Walking Guide & Cycling Guide.
