Section 3: Sanquhar to Kippford

Now back in Dumfries & Galloway, I was spoilt for choice again. It was a roof-down sunny day and I decided to drive to the Crawick Multiverse, the land art project by designer Charles Jencks, and then Wanlockhead, in the Lowther Hills.

Wanlockhead and nearby Leadhills are famed for their mining heritage, including lead and gold. From Leadhills, the road descends a superb remote-feeling road with rounded grassy hills beneath a blue sky. I encountered only a few other cars and at Elvanfoot I thankfully avoided the busy A74(M) to join quieter roads.

The historic spa town Moffat prompted a wave of nostalgia when I visited the Toffee Shop. As I recall choosing quarters of my favourite sweets as a child, I ordered paper bags of sherbet pips and soor plooms, nowadays measured metrically.

The route continued to Lockerbie, a town that is known to most people after the Pan Am flight disaster in 1988. The tragedy is remembered in a number of ways including a Garden of Remembrance and the Lockerbie Air Disaster Memorial.

From Lockerbie, the SWC300 turns west heading towards the coast again. At Dumfries, various attractions, such as Robert Burns’ House and a museum, offer a diversion.

But it’s the picturesque village of New Abbey, south of Dumfries, that caused me to put on the brakes. Although in ruins, the village’s Sweetheart Abbey is stunning. The 13th century abbey was founded by Lady Dervorgilla in tribute to her husband, John Balliol.

The route returns to the Solway Coast offering terrific views of the sea and across to the Lake District.

At Colvend, a detour to Rockcliffe was a must. I sat on a bench enjoying the rocks-and-sand bay before taking a short coastal trail, Jubilee Walk, toward Kippford.

My journey was nearing the end, and as I drove the now familiar Triumph back to her owner, I was sad that I would be forced to rejoin the world of driving at speed in my modern vehicle.

I wish I could have stayed longer in the region that must surely be one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets.

● World’s oldest post office at Sanquhar

● Gold panning at Museum of Lead Mining

● Moffat Museum

● Southerness Lighthouse

First night: Solway View Holidays, near Kirkcudbright

www.solwayviewholidays.com

Evening meal: Selkirk Arms Hotel, Kirkcudbright

www.selkirkarmshotel.co.uk

Second night: Four-star Rickwood House Hotel in Portpatrick www.portpatrick.me.uk

Evening meal: Fernhill Hotel, Portpatrick

Third night: Four-star Blackaddie House Hotel, Sanqhuar (dinner, bed & breakfast) www.blackaddiehotel.co.uk. Find out more about the South West Coastal 300 at

www.visitsouthwestscotland.com/attractions/ southwest-coastal-route/