Whithorn driving/cycling Trail

The Machars of Wigtownshire is a treasure-trove for historians. Chambered cairns, cup and ring stones, stone circles and individual standing stones dot the unspoilt landscape.

There are iron age forts, crannog sites, ancient wells, early Christian sites, medieval castle and church sites, with the evidences of early harbours, roads, causeways and bridges that connected this area to the wider world. The spacious medieval town squares of Whithorn and Wigtown, with market crosses and town halls, indicate their prominent roles in trade in the once-prosperous county.

The scenic, rolling country roads of the Machars peninsula are ideal for a leisurely cycle or drive. The Gulf Stream creates a mild climate in which plants normally associated with the Southern Hemisphere can thrive. Even dolphins and basking sharks can be seen in the seas. Indeed, the climate and its position on the south-west tip of Scotland invite comparisons with the West Country in England, and it has been referred to as Scotland's Land's End.

The undulating roads are relatively quiet and the circular route of the Trail takes you between Whithorn, Sorbie, Garlieston and the Isle of Whithorn where there are clues to be solved.

This Spy Trail visits 5 locations - Whithorn, Sorbie, Sorbie Tower, Garlieston, and Isle of Whithorn - in a circular route in the southern part of the Machars. It starts and finishes with clues in Whithorn.

The route is 20 miles long and there is about 2 miles of walking involved in solving the clues in the various locations.

It should take about 5 hours to complete this Trail but this depends on the ages and abilities of the cyclists.

The Trail could also be completed by car, in which case it would take about 2.5 hours.