Scotland Biking Tour Itinerary

 

 

DAY ONE- Arrival Day: On the afternoon of your arrival day we will fit you to your bikes, give you a gearing demonstration and lead you on a short warm-up ride to acquaint you with biking on the left side of the road and give you an opportunity to enjoy a bit of the lovely Scottish countryside.

DAY TWO: Today we enjoy a 27-mile loop through a number of small villages and rural farmland. Enjoy a beautiful ride (optional) out to Little Glen Shee and another great short option to visit Huntingtower Castle. We lunch at a delightful pub in Pitcairngreen, enjoy home made Scottish ice cream at a farm in Airntully, and return to the Ballathie House in time to delight in an afternoon stroll along the River Tay.

DAY THREE: Leave Ballathie House via the village of Murthly. Pass through Coupar Angus and then back roads to the Loch of Lowes wildlife preserve (where we can have osprey sightings). At mile 12.6 enter the elegant village of Dunkeld. Lunch here on the banks of the River Tay. Follow back roads through Balnaguard, Pitnacree and Weem. Pass Aberfeldy which is a one mile side visit. Pass Menzies Castle on the way to Kenmore and Loch Tay.

DAY FOUR: A coach takes us to Oban. We then ferry over the Mull Sound to the Isle of Mull. We cycle to Duart Castle and Torosay Palace, then back through the village of Craignure to Salen. Van pickup here or continue to Tobermory with spectacular ocean views. This ride is intermediate. Arrive at Western Isles Hotel in Tobermory.

DAY FIVE: There are several options today. Many like to make this an easy day and enjoy exploring Tobermory perhaps adding a 10 mile "out and back" ride to Glengorm Castle. There is also a superb optional ride through the village of Dervaig, including a visit to the Old Byre Heritage Center. Your leaders will also give you directions for a lovely walk out to the lighthouse with views of the bay and Ardnamurchan Peninsula. We end the day with a guided tour of the local distillery. Finally, you can ask your leaders to help arrange an all-day boat excursion out to the Isle of Staffa.

DAY SIX: Today begins with a ferry ride from the Isle of Mull to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. Start with a ride to Ardnamurchan Point and its beautiful lighthouse and museum. Then pass the beautiful bay and remains of the village of Camas Nan Geall; then Laga Bay and Salen Bay on Loch Sunart. Lunch at the museum and information center or in Salen. Option to ride from Salen to Kilcamb Lodge


DAY SEVEN: Bike Vermont will van you or provide a coach to Glasgow Airport immediately following breakfast. Van/coach arrives in time for people to clear customs and make a 1 PM flight. Please do not schedule any flights leaving before 1 PM on the last day of your Scotland tour!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daily Mileages

Day 1: Arrival Day. 13 mi (21 km)

Day 2: 35 or41 mi (57 or 66 km)

Day 3: 37 or 44 mi (60 or 71 km)

Day 4: 29 mi (47 km)

Day 5: 10 or 26 mi (16 or 42 km)

Day 6: 16 or 26 mi (26 or 42 km)

Day 7: Departure Day

 

Average Daily Mileage: 23 mi (37 km)

Average Daily Mileage with Options: 30 mi (49 km)

 

Terrain

Day 1: Easier

Day 2: Easier to Intermediate

Day 3: Easier to Intermediate

Day 4: Easier to Intermediate

Day 5: Easier

Day 6: Easier to Intermediate

Day 7: Departure Day

What's Included

Tour includes all breakfasts and all but one dinner; all accommodations; all taxes and gratuities at the hotels; experienced leaders; full van support; detailed directions; all transportation expenses, ferry fees, and relevant entry fees during the tour. We have additional optional miles for energetic riders on most tour days.

Travel and Trip Cancellation Insurance

We urge you to purchase travel insurance as soon as possible. You can purchase insurance online at www.CSATravelPro.com (enter code 82667246) or call them at 800-348-9505. CSA Travel Protection is recommended by Consumer Reports. Canadian citizens can also purchase travel insurance at www.travelguard.ca (866-648-8422). You can also compare policies at www.insuremytrip.com.
To cover pre-existing conditions (see below) through CSA Travel Protection, the insurance may be purchased at any time up to 24 hours after you make your final payment. CSA also offers a unique "cancel for any reason" coverage option that must be purchased within 24 hours of making your initial tour deposit.

The need for travel insurance cannot be over-emphasized. For a small percentage of your travel and tour costs, you are covered if you need to cancel or interrupt your vacation with us due to a number of circumstances beyond your control, including (most importantly) if a health-related problem arises affecting you or even a non-traveling member of your
family. As you know, most airline fares are non-refundable, and travel insurance is especially important since Bike Vermont's contractual obligations with our inns in Scotland make it impossible for us to refund your monies anytime within 60 days prior to your trip despite the compelling nature of your emergency.

IMPORTANT! If you have a currently existing
condition that might make you unable to take the trip (such as a knee injury, a history of specific medical problems, or a currently ill family member), it is essential that you sign up anytime up to 24 hours after you make your final payment in order to qualify for coverage for these pre-existing conditions.This coverage adds about 2% to your premium. Please refer to www.CSATravelPro.com for details.