Positive signs ahead at the official launch of major cycle route across the South of Scotland
Local cyclists and businesses have celebrated the official launch of the Kirkpatrick C2C: South of Scotland’s Coast to Coast cycle route in Langholm – a popular place for cyclists to stop along the now fully signposted route – following its successful soft launch last summer.
Named after Kirkpatrick Macmillan, the 19th-Century Dumfriesshire blacksmith who invented the first pedal-driven velocipede, the now fully signposted route stretches 250 miles from Stranraer in the west to Eyemouth in the east, making it one of the longest coast to coast cycle routes in the UK.
The news of the official launch comes after it was announced that the Scottish Borders will host the opening stage of this year’s Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men, as the 20th edition of the modern race gets underway in Kelso on Tuesday 3 September.
In the year since the first cyclists started tackling the KC2C ride, the scenic route has seen businesses from across the region welcoming an influx of visitors seeking to explore the landscape of the South of Scotland on two wheels.
Case Studies
• Trailbrakes Biking Holidays - Kirkcudbright based business Trailbrakes Biking Holidays, which specialises in providing bespoke cycling tour adventures across Scotland, England and Wales, has noticed an increase in enquiries and estimates that bookings for the Kirkpatrick C2C made up approximately 10% of its business for the 2024 season.
The business offers tours of the entire route or parts of the route, including accommodation, transport, maps, GPS and phone support, and founder Pete Corson describes the route as “a great ride with very little traffic and great scenery”, reporting that it is getting good reviews from customers.
• Ernespie Farm - Ernespie Farm at Castle Douglas cited the launch of the Kirkpatrick C2C, as well as the increased popularity of cycling post-covid as reasons for the rise in visitors arriving on bike.
Ernespie Farm, which includes a farmhouse kitchen, garden centre, gift shop and soft play facilities, received support from South of Scotland Enterprise’s Cycling Infrastructure Fund to create a repair station with washing facilities and lockers for the increasing number of cyclists visiting Ernespie.
The family business is looking to target the cycling audience further, with plans to increase food and drink takeaway options and expand indoor and outdoor seating areas.
• The Eskdale Hotel – The Eskdale Hotel in Langholm, the approximate halfway point of the route, has seen over 100 rooms nights booked so far for cyclist guests cycling – some are doing part of the Kirkpatrick C2C route, with others cycling around the area.
• Hike & Bike Hub - Hike & Bike Hub, a social enterprise in Galashiels that promotes cycling and walking for leisure, health and active travel, with an on-site bike mechanic, bikes and e-bikes for hire, reported several enquiries about the Kirkpatrick C2C, and cycling routes in the Borders generally, including from as far afield as Puerto Rico.
• Newcastleton Bunkhouse – Vicky Hawes, Development Officer of Newcastleton & District Community Trust, reported a very busy May for Scotland’s first bike friendly village – Newcastleton, citing the Kirkpatrick C2C as a factor and noting that “the culmination of new, exciting, experiences is a core draw, and we are fortunate to have them in abundance.”
The Newcastleton Bunkhouse is planning to take advantage of the increase in cycling visitors to the area. Hawes pointed out that “at weekends it’s not unusual to see literally hundreds of bikes all over the village while they stop off for a refresh and to top up their bottles and bellies!”
• Shepherd’s Rest – Shepherd’s Rest, a campsite based around a family farm in the Scottish Borders, reports an increasing amount of enquiries and overnight stays from cyclists year-on-year, noting that in an average week, around 30-50% of our guests are cyclists, many actively on a route with just their bike.
The campsite received support from South of Scotland Enterprise’s Cycling Infrastructure Fund and now provides an undercover cycle storage area with bike stands, e-bike charging, a bike maintenance area with tools available plus a bike wash area to guests.
Alison Hilbert, who runs the campsite, said: “When the Kirkpatrick C2C was launched and funding became available, we felt that the time was right to build the lounge area and cycle store, using part of an existing barn. We are very proud of the finished area and additional facilities – they look great and have been well used and appreciated since opening this April.”
• Coldstream Holiday Park – Coldstream Holiday Park in Kelso reports significantly more walk-in bookings from cyclists, some of which are cycling the new coast to coast route.
• The Douglas Hotel – The Douglas Hotel in Langholm reported positive feedback from guests staying who plan to return both by bike and without. Jason Buckley of The Douglas Hotel said: “As a small family-run hotel in Langholm the difference it makes is very noticeable”.
What is the Kirkpatrick C2C?
For adventurers looking to challenge themselves, the Kirkpatrick C2C can be tackled over four days, while the slower Explorer Route allows riders to immerse themselves in the beauty, heritage and charm of the South of Scotland, spending eight days completing the route from Stranraer to Eyemouth with plenty of places to stay, visit, eat and drink along the way.
Early projections prior to its July 2023 soft launch suggested the Kirkpatrick C2C could attract up to 175,000 new visitors to the region, with a direct spend of £13.7m per year.
The development of the route has been led by South of Scotland Enterprise alongside:
- Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders councils
- South of Scotland Destination Alliance
- VisitScotland
- Sustrans.
Gordon Smith, Destination Development Director at VisitScotland, said:
“We know a key factor in choosing Scotland as a holiday destination is our scenery and landscape, while around a third of visitors want to take part in outdoor activities.
"Cycling offers the best of both worlds. Visitors to the South of Scotland can take in the beautiful scenery along the many cycle routes or, for the more adventurous, at our world class mountain biking venues.
“Cycling is popular among some of our major European markets and is an important part of our national sustainable tourism ambitions. We encourage visitors to choose active and greener travel options while planning a trip to Scotland and offer support and advice to businesses on how best to engage with this valuable market.
“The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships shone a spotlight on the South of Scotland as a leading global destination made for cycling, and new routes, such as the Kirkpatrick C2C, only serve to strengthen that position.”
Chief Executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, David Hope-Jones OBE, said:
“It’s fantastic to hear such positive feedback, with businesses from Stranraer to Eyemouth benefitting from the increase in cycle visitors as a result of the new Kirkpatrick Coast 2 Coast route.
"The route, which spans 250 unforgettable miles across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, is a celebration of the stunning scenery, colourful local history and welcoming culture of the South of Scotland.
“Last summer the South of Scotland hosted several events in the UCI World Cycling Championships and joined the list of world-leading cycling destinations after being awarded the UCI Bike Region label, while this September we are hosting the prestigious 2024 Tour of Britain, which is kicking off in Kelso which is on the KC2C route.
"We want to shine a spotlight on the KC2C as a must-do challenge for road cyclists and on the South of Scotland as the place to be for cyclists across the UK and beyond!”
Russel Griggs OBE, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise, said:
“The Kirkpatrick C2C has been a fantastic addition to the South of Scotland’s offering for visitors.
“Since the route opened last year, there has been some really good feedback from cyclists who have enjoyed our beautiful sea views and picturesque South of Scotland towns while tackling the Kirkpatrick C2C.
“Over 20 tourism businesses, social enterprises and community groups also benefited from support from SOSE’s Cycling Infrastructure Fund in the last financial year, allowing them to invest in cycling facilities for those using the Kirkpatrick C2C and 7Stanes trail centres.
“Cycling continues to offer significant social, economic and environmental opportunities to the South of Scotland, and our long-term aim is to make our region the leading cycling destination in Scotland by 2032.”