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Kirroughtree Forest

A small forest near Newton Stewart, easy cycling, good views.

The hills in this fairly compact forest tend to be short, once you are up there you are often rewarded with a fine view. Many of the trees here are quite large as planting began here in 1921, just two years after the Forestry Commission was started.

This forest forms a small part of the much larger Galloway Forest Park. All the local routes begin at the visitor centre. This has a tea room and a set of displays illustrating the development of forestry in the UK. There's also a shop, a playground and a wildlife pond.

The circular routes are all on forest (dirt) roads with some sections on quiet public roads. Parts of the linking sections going to Minnigaff and Clatteringshaws Loch are on the A712, this is normally reasonably quiet. (See other maps.)

Begin at the Visitor Centre and head for the minor road to the south. Turn left on to this then at the next cross roads (500m), turn left again to travel north, with Palnure Burn on your right. The route stays near the perimeter of the forest with a gradual climb up by Palnure Burn to Bargaly Glen. At the top of the Glen it turns south, crossing the river and returning on the other side. You could extend the distance by using the Larg Hill route to return to the start.

The linking section to the north uses the Old Edinburgh Road to connect to more bike routes in Clatteringshaws Forest. The old Edinburgh Road runs north for four miles and is a dirt road rather than a public road with cars. Cycling to it from Kirroughtree Forest will mean riding for a short distance on the A712 which is not particularly busy. The same cannot be said of the A75.

The National Cycle Network Route 7, Glasgow - Carlisle, uses the south edge of Kirroughtree Forest to avoid the A75 between Minnigaff and Creetown.

The Forestry Commission
Don't be under the illusion that you are cycling in a natural forest, all the trees have been planted by the Forestry Commission. Scotland's natural forest started disappearing about AD800 and was mostly gone by the end of the 18th century. The final destruction was caused by the demand for timber during two world wars.

The Forestry Commission has its roots in the fact that timber had to be convoyed across the Atlantic during the First World War. It was established in 1919 with the aim of making Britain more self-sufficient in timber.

Nowadays there is more emphasis on the recreational use of forest, and a wider variety of trees is being planted, with more consideration being given to landscaping.

Features:

• Camping Nearby
• Circular Route
• Half Day Ride
• Route For Young Children
• Route To Link Up With Others
• Route With Place To Visit
• Route With Tea Room
• Youth Hostel / Bunkhouse Nearby

Additional Features:

• Houth hostel at Minigaff (Newton Stewart). Camp site at Glen Trool.

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