Tastes and Trails of Scotland – 8 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 2
Duration: 7 Nights
Distance: 10 Miles/day average
Dates: May 11, Jul 4, Aug 22, 2015
Tour price: £1155
Start city: Inverness, Scotland
End city: Inverness, Scotland
Tour Description
If you’re looking for a mountain bike tour that’s a little bit special and combines the most beautiful and unspoilt landscapes of the Scottish Highlands with excellent local food, drink and hospitality, our new ‘Tastes and Trails of Scotland’ mountain bike tour is for you.
This Highland mountain bike tour takes in the majesty of the Cairngorms National Park; the pure, white sands of Arisaig; the breath-taking wilderness of the Isle of Skye; and the mystery of Loch Ness.
During your week-long tour you’ll experience some of the more remote, and off-the-beaten-track corners of the west coast – not just by bike – but by steam train, boat, car and on foot, ensuring that you soak up as much of the culture and natural beauty of Scotland as possible.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Arrival to Inverness and bike preparation We will stay in a lovely B&B in Aviemore, the adventure capital of the Highlands, where we’ll enjoy a delicious meal made from locally-sourced produce in one of the pubs. If we’re lucky, there may even be a local band playing! Day 2: Ancient forests of the Cairngorms National Park We’ll return to Aviemore for a late lunch and maybe even some home-made cakes in the Mountain Café, before heading south to Dalwhinnie distillery for a tour and tasting session – the perfect end to your fantastic day in the heart of the Highlands! Day 3: Fort William and Glen Nevis In the afternoon we’ll saddle up for a short mountain bike ride along part of the West Highland Way, before heading back to our bed and breakfast and freshening up for our beautiful seafood dinner. Day 4: The magic of the Jacobit Express steam train We’ll have lunch in Mallaig then take a boat trip round the coast to spot some of the local marine life and sea birds that make this spectacular part of Scotland their home. We’ll finish the day in the tiny coastal village of Arisaig where we can take a walk along the sandy shores and do a little beach combing before another delicious home-cooked meal. Day 5: Over the sea to Skye After working up a bit of an appetite we’ll head to Kinloch Lodge and our tremendous Michelin-starred lunch. This is not something to rush and by the time we finish lunch it will be mid-afternoon and we will drive to the north of the island, to Portree and our accommodation for the night. On the way, we can stop for a walk at the Old Man of Storr, one of the many geological wonders in this area. Day 6: Fairy pools and fishing villages We’ll then leave Skye behind and head for the stunning fishing village of Plockton, back on the mainland. Here you can walk around the village, visiting the local gallery and shops. We’ll enjoy dinner in one of the local restaurants, famous for its fresh seafood and locally-produced meats and cheeses. Day 7: Plockton – Fort Augustus (6 miles/10 km) Back on land we’ll start making our way back to Inverness, stopping at Eilean Donan Castle along the way, the most iconic and photographed castle in Scotland. After a tour of the castle we’ll head to Loch Ness to conclude our wildlife and history theme of the day with a little Nessie-spotting! Our final celebratory meal will be in a fantastic river-side restaurant in Inverness, where we can enjoy our last supper and raise a glass to an unforgettable week of adventure in the Highlands of Scotland! Day 8: Departure Included Services: Guided Bike Rentals: Guided Equipment provided free with rentals: All bikes are of superior quality and come with hydraulic disk brakes, Fox or Rockshox suspension, Maxxis tyres and high end finishing kit. Pedals: Seats: Helmets:
On the first day of your mountain biking vacation in Scotland you’ll be welcomed by our guide at Inverness airport (or train station) at around noon, and then transferred to the eastern Cairngorms, and the new mountain bike trail centre at Glenlivet, to tune bikes and have a quick ride on the nice flowing trails there.
Overnight in Inverness.
Today we’ll explore the delights of the Cairngorms National Park, the UK’s largest and most bio-diverse national park. We’ll cycle from our accommodation in Aviemore, into the Rothiemurchus estate and one of the last remaining ancient Caledonian pine forests. We’ll enjoy superb double and single track trails around secluded lochs and through open glens: very typical Highland scenery.
Overnight in Aviemore.
We’ll continue south this morning, after a hearty breakfast, to Fort William and the Outdoor Capital of the UK. We’ll go for a lovely walk along Glen Nevis, in the shadow of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain.
Overnight in Glen Nevis.
Today we’ll catch the Jacobite Express steam train from Fort William to Mallaig and sit back and enjoy one of the best train journeys in the world. The Jacobite Express is more famously known as the ‘Hogwarts Express’ from the Harry Potter films and you’ll experience first-hand the magic of this journey, including the celebrated Glenfinnan viaduct.
Overnight in Arisaig.
This morning we’ll take the ferry and make the 30-minute journey from the mainland over to the Isle of Skye. You can explore some of the local craft shops and buy some gifts for home, then we’ll go on a short nature walk next to the harbour to an otter hide and see if we can spot any of these elusive animals.
Overnight in Portree.
This morning we’ll stock up on a hearty breakfast then make our way south for a bike ride out to the ethereal Fairy Pools. This is a glorious spot and you’ll get some amazing photographs.
Overnight in Plockton.
We’ll start today in Plockton on a seal-spotting boat trip around the sheltered coastline. The local seals certainly aren’t camera-shy and you should get some good shots!
Overnight in Inverness.
We will spend the morning packing the bikes, organising your luggage and transport you back to Inverness train station or airport to say our farewells at the end of an incredible mountain biking vacation in Scotland.
Bikes available to be rented (reserved in advance at time of booking):
The bikes will have FLAT pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
If you plan to bring your own seat, please ensure that it has a universal seat post.
Helmet rental is not available on this tour. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.
