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BMW Riders Scottish Spring rally 2014 Bunkhouse weekend.

The cost is �40 per person for the weekend (�18 extra for the 3rd night) for a bunkhouse bed space including bedding. MEMBERS ONLY.

Camping is an option at �17 per person for the two nights or �25 for three. MEMBERS ONLY. Washroom facilities are available in the Main Block which also contains the caf�. 

Galloway Activity Centre, 01644 420626 Email [email protected] Loch Ken, Parton, Castle Douglas, DG7 3NQ  http://www.lochken.co.uk/

Location:

The site is ten miles north of Castle Douglas on the A713 road to Ayr, on the East side of the Loch Ken.  The main route through the region is the A75 Gretna, then Dumfries to Stranraer road.

By Road Aberdeen 220 miles Dundee 150 miles Edinburgh 90 miles Glasgow 75 miles Manchester 180 miles Sheffield 220 miles

Location map http://www.lochken.co.uk/directions  

This is our third visit to Scotland and the second to this site, this time for a bunkhouse weekend. The event is the weekend before Easter leaving the site on Sunday or Monday depending on if you want 2 or 3 nights.  It�s April so we should have reasonable weather, the Forest Drives should be open as well. We have exclusive use of all of the Bunkhouse and its Showers/ cooking facilities.

Galloway Activity Centre is situated on the East bank of Loch Ken in south west Scotland, close to the border with England and has both single track tarmacked hill roads and good open riding roads with little traffic but look out for the speed cameras, deer, sheep and gravel patches.  The site is in Galloway Forest Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty, with easy access to the M74.  The centre offers a range of on-site sporting activities (Sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, climbing, archery, fishing etc) if you want a break from riding.

Dark Skies:

The Galloway Forest Park is the first area in the U.K. to be awarded Dark Sky status. The extremely low levels of light pollution make ideal conditions for night gazers and star spotters, even though it is a few days before the full moon you should be able to see stars if there is no cloud.

The Raiders Road Forest Drive is just opposite the site on Loch Ken.  The Carrick Forest Drive is between Stinchar Bridge and Loch Doon. Both these Forest Drives are un-surfaced but may be suitable for road bikes given reasonable weather conditions and care.

The bunkhouse is a big lodge with 5 separate bunk rooms each with 4 beds, but we are planning to use them as twins to suit couples. There are 3 shower and toilet rooms solely for bunkhouse use.

The bunkhouse has a communal area for eating and socialising. The lounge has DVD, video player, T.V. area, dining table. The bunkhouse has CH.  There is a fully equipped kitchen with ample pots, pans and crockery. Self catering users need to know the closest supermarket is in Castle Douglas which is a 10 mile drive so it is best to shop on the way there. There are smaller shops in the locality if we have forgotten vital items.

There is a an on-site caf� that offers views of Loch Ken and across to Bennan Hill. Visitors can sit, enjoy breakfasts, coffee, home baking, basic meals and watch some of the action on the water or even see some Red Kites swooping overhead.

Plan:

Arrive Friday (11th) , arrange your own food

Ride out on Saturday (12th) and then a group evening meal

Ride out Sunday (13th) and then eat as a group   (Or go home if you can only stay for the weekend)

On Monday (14th) end with a gentle ride home.

The centre has an on site caf� which provides tea/coffee/soft drinks and basic meals. If you wish to purchase more substantial meals such as a full Scottish breakfast, lunch or dinner then �The Smithy� tea room in New Galloway, the Ken Bridge Hotel or Clachan Hotel all within 7 miles can provide this.  Or you can cook in the bunkhouse kitchen.

You will be able to stay longer if you want to enjoy the full moon on the 15th April by arranging it with the camp site.

We have held bunkhouse weekends in England and Scotland before, always quiet weekends with gentle rides out, good chat and group evening meal.  This should be the same. Ced is Happy to lead any rides if requested.   

George

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