Pedal into history at the Scottish Cycle Museum
a bicyle advertising the Scottish Cycle Museum
man riding an antique bicycle at Drumlanrig Castle
a replica of Kirkpatrick Macmillan’s original bicycle
Scottish Cycle Museum at Drumlanrig Castle
Discover the fascinating history of the great Scottish invention - the bicycle - and have a pedal yourself at stately Drumlanrig Castle near Thornhill, near Dumfries.
In 1839, local blacksmith Kirkpatrick Macmillan rode 60 miles from his workship at Keir Mill to Glasgow on the world’s first ever bicycle, one that he himself invented. Macmillan would be most pleased that today stately Drumlanrig Castle houses the Scottish Cycle Museum, where you can find out the fascinating history of the bike.
The museum houses an excellent collection of bicycles, including a replica of Macmillan's original - an 1868 velocipede, a number of Victorian tricycles and penny farthings and a 1912 Dursley Pederson alongside some thoroughly modern mountain bikes.
Arrive in appropriate style by travelling to Drumlanrig on two wheels. Follow two signposted routes right to the front door of Drumlanrig Castle - the National Byway and the Kirkpatrick Macmillan Trail itself, signposted from Dumfries. Constructed in 1990 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the bicycle’s invention, the route takes you over the River Nith and along gently undulating roads to Keir Mill – where Macmillan dreamt up his bicycle.
If you are visiting with the family, Drumlanrig Country Estate is the ideal place for kids to have a go at cycling. There are many easy tracks to follow around the estate, or for the more experienced, many exhilarating kilometres of natural mountain bike trails, each varying in gradient to suit all levels of ability.
You can hire bikes (and baby seats and trailers) for the day, the afternoon or just an hour and get expert advice, guided rides and coaching.
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