The cycle

Sanquhar to Keir Mill

Location: Dumfries and Galloway Map: OS Landranger 78 Distance: 33 miles (53km) Time: 3-4 hours Terrain: Hilly; minor roads, short A-road section

CELEBRATE Scotland’s contribution to cycling with this excursion on excellent Nithsdale roads. The tour features few hard climbs but involves more than 1,100m of ascent.

Start with a delectable flat section from Sanquhar. From the town hall follow Church Road. Go left down Queen’s Road and cross the Nith to bear left for Drumlanrig. Pass Eliock Bridge to continue by the river below the mineral-rich Lowther Hills.

Further on, go right at a T-junction, away from the water. Later, at a fork, go right past a house. Easy cycling leads to a right turn marked with a cycle byway sign. Take this quiet road towards Ballaggan. Keep straight ahead at a group of houses where the road drops towards remote Scaur Glen. Ignore a left turn by Druidhall Farm with its long outbuildings and soon take the next left. Descend to the atmospheric upper glen. Further down, at the main road, go left for Penpont. In the village turn right for Keir Mill. On the right you’ll reach the lone former smithy where Kirkpatrick MacMillan created the first bicycle in around 1840. Take the next left, passing a graveyard where the inventor lies, to meet the A702. From there follow the cycle signs for Drumlanrig and Sanquhar which lead back on to more minor roads. Cycle on to rejoin the outward route and go back to Sanquhar.