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One-Stop Resource for Bike Tours in Europe - and Now Beyond!
Representing Overseas Bike Tour Companies
More Than 200 Tours in 40 Countries
Get our newsletter | Contact Us
Call (877) 462-2423 or (423) 756-8907
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| Type of tour: | Guided |
| Level: | Leisurely |
| Duration: | 7 Nights |
| Distance: | 10 Miles/day average |
| Dates: | May 5; Jun 30 and Aug 11, 2012 |
| Tour price: | £955 |
| Start city: | Inverness, Scotland |
| End city: | Inverness, Scotland |
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.
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.
Day 1: Arrival to Inverness (9 miles/15 km)
Arrive in Inverness, where your guide will welcome you. On to Laggan Wolftrax to size up bikes, have lunch and stretch our legs with an afternoon ride. Tonight we will stay in a luxurious B&B in the local area, where they will prepare a wonderful three course dinner of locally-sourced produce.
Overnight in Inverness.
Day 2: Fort Williams - Arisaig (no riding)
First thing this morning we will transfer to Fort William for a look around the Ben Nevis information center, before settling down to lunch in a seafood restaurant. After lunch we catch Harry Potter’s train, the Jacobite Express, to Mallaig, voted one of the best train rides in the world by National Geographic magazine. Our guide will pick you up in Mallaig and transfer you to Arisaig for dinner and our accommodation.
Overnight in Arisaig.
Day 3: Arisaig - Morar - Arisaig (12 miles/20 km)
Today we will mountain bike along the coast to a hilltop bothy (mountain hut) that is located 328 feet (100 m) above a stunning secluded bay looking out to the Isle of Skye. Once we have finished exploring we’ll walk around the beach, have a picnic lunch and cycle back out to our accommodation. On return we’ll freshen up, then go for a coastal walk or relax on the white sandy beaches of Morar, then back for dinner in Arisaig.
Overnight in Arisaig.
Day 4: Arisaig - Portree (12 miles/20 km)
After a hearty breakfast, we make our way to the Skye ferry. This is a 30-minute boat journey that crosses between Knoydart (the last true wilderness in Scotland) and the islands of Eigg and Rum. When we arrive at the village of Armadale we go for a woodland wildlife walk, before straying further along the coastline to the world famous Kinloch Lodge, and our Michelin-starred lunch. After lunch we can take our bikes out for an easy afternoon ride to get a panoramic view of the red and black Cuillin mountains. Then we’ll transfer to our accommodation in Portree.
Overnight in Portree.
Day 5: Portree - Plockton (3 miles/5 km walk)
This morning we’ll head north for a walk up and around the Old Man of Storr, and its 'Lord of the Rings' landscape. On returning to Portree we’ll have lunch at a local café, before going to the Talisker distillery in the heart of the island for a tour and tasting. We’ll then transfer to the mainland fishing village of Plockton.
Overnight in Plockton.
Day 6: Round trip around Plockton (12 miles/20 km)
After a relaxed breakfast watching the village coming to life we’ll pedal across the peninsula and back around the coast again on a lovely morning ride that will have you ready for your lunch on the shores of Loch Carron. Once lunch has settled we’ll embark on a fantastic seal and dolphin watching cruise around to Applecross, before returning to Plockton for another night.
Overnight in Plockton.
Day 7: Plockton - Fort Augustus (6 miles/10 km)
We leave Plockton behind in favour of heading inland to the banks of Loch Ness. En-route we will stop off at Eilean Donan Castle for a tour and some refreshments, then continue through Glen Sheil and onto our accommodation for the night at Glen Garry. From our hotel we can bike along the Great Glen Way to Fort Augustus for our chance to see Loch Ness and the canal locks at Fort Augustus.
Overnight in Fort Augustus.
Day 8: Departure
Departure day Transfer back to Inverness and our goodbyes.
May 5; Jun 30 and Aug 11, 2012
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Sample Hotels:
The Rumblie, Laggan
www.rumblie.com
The Rumblie is located in the small village of Laggan nestling on the western edge of the Caringorms National Park.
Myrtle Bank Guest House, Fort William
www.myrtlebankguesthouse.co.uk
The Myrtle Bank Guest House is an attractive Victorian villa dating from the 1890's, and enjoys a magnificent location beside Loch Linnhe on the south side of Fort William.
The Old Library Lodge, Arisaig
www.oldlibrary.co.uk
The Old Library Lodge and Restaurant is a 200-year old stone built stable that has been converted into a cheerful and welcoming restaurant with rooms.
Marmalade, Portree
www.marmaladehotels.com
Hotel Marmalade features a lovely interior inside an old Georgian building and also has gardens overlooking the village of Portree, the loch and Cuillion Mountains.
The Torridon Inn, Wester Ross
www.thetorridon.com/inn
The Torridon Inn is situated close to the shores of Loch Torridon, offering guests cozy, comfortable accommodation and traditional pub food.
The Lovat, Fort Augustus
www.thelovat.com
The Lovat is an award-winning hotel in the loch-side village of Fort Augustus.
Sample Hotels:
The Rumblie, Laggan
www.rumblie.com
The Rumblie is located in the small village of Laggan nestling on the western edge of the Caringorms National Park.
Myrtle Bank Guest House, Fort William
www.myrtlebankguesthouse.co.uk
The Myrtle Bank Guest House is an attractive Victorian villa dating from the 1890's, and enjoys a magnificent location beside Loch Linnhe on the south side of Fort William.
The Old Library Lodge, Arisaig
www.oldlibrary.co.uk
The Old Library Lodge and Restaurant is a 200-year old stone built stable that has been converted into a cheerful and welcoming restaurant with rooms.
Marmalade, Portree
www.marmaladehotels.com
Hotel Marmalade features a lovely interior inside an old Georgian building and also has gardens overlooking the village of Portree, the loch and Cuillion Mountains.
The Torridon Inn, Wester Ross
www.thetorridon.com/inn
The Torridon Inn is situated close to the shores of Loch Torridon, offering guests cozy, comfortable accommodation and traditional pub food.
The Lovat, Fort Augustus
www.thelovat.com
The Lovat is an award-winning hotel in the loch-side village of Fort Augustus.
Available bikes include a full suspension mountain bike or a hardtail mountain bike. All bikes are of superior quality and come with hydraulic disk brakes, Fox or Rockshox suspension, Maxxis tyres and high end finishing kit.
Equipment provided free with rentals include helmets and pedals. Available upon request for no cost are cycling bags and a bottle cage.
Available bikes include a full suspension mountain bike or a hardtail mountain bike. All bikes are of superior quality and come with hydraulic disk brakes, Fox or Rockshox suspension, Maxxis tyres and high end finishing kit.
Equipment provided free with rentals include helmets and pedals. Available upon request for no cost are cycling bags and a bottle cage.
The terrain on this tour is moderately hilly. Approximately 80% of the tour is on dirt trails, 15% on dirt or gravel roads and 5% on quiet roads. The maximum daily elevation gain for this tour is 1,312 feet (400 m).
This tour is rated Leisure and is for mountain bikers in average physical condition.
The terrain on this tour is moderately hilly. Approximately 80% of the tour is on dirt trails, 15% on dirt or gravel roads and 5% on quiet roads. The maximum daily elevation gain for this tour is 1,312 feet (400 m).
This tour is rated Leisure and is for mountain bikers in average physical condition.
Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Inverness, Scotland
Nearest train station: Inverness, Scotland
The tour begins at Inverness railway station, and in the exceptional cases where we meet elsewhere you will be contacted with details of the meeting point.
A transfer from Glasgow or Edinburgh airport is available at a cost of 175 pounds per transfer, which can be split between up to 8 passengers.
Inverness by rail:
Three hours from Glasgow and Edinburgh, and eight hours or overnight from London. For up-to-date timetables and booking information visit: www.firstscotrail.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Inverness by coach:
Coach services run from London and other UK cities to Inverness. Regular coaches run from Glasgow (three hours), Edinburgh (three hours) and Aberdeen (two hours) to Inverness. For up-to-date coach timetables and booking information visit: www.gobycoach.com or www.citylink.co.uk.
Inverness by air:
Inverness is becoming increasingly well-served by major and budget airlines from all over the UK and Ireland. For up-to-date timetables and booking information visit: www.ba.com, www.easyjet.com, www.ryanair.com, www.easternairways.com or www.hial.co.uk.
If your group requires transfer from another Scottish airport, please ask.
Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Inverness, Scotland
Nearest train station: Inverness, Scotland
The tour begins at Inverness railway station, and in the exceptional cases where we meet elsewhere you will be contacted with details of the meeting point.
A transfer from Glasgow or Edinburgh airport is available at a cost of 175 pounds per transfer, which can be split between up to 8 passengers.
Inverness by rail:
Three hours from Glasgow and Edinburgh, and eight hours or overnight from London. For up-to-date timetables and booking information visit: www.firstscotrail.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Inverness by coach:
Coach services run from London and other UK cities to Inverness. Regular coaches run from Glasgow (three hours), Edinburgh (three hours) and Aberdeen (two hours) to Inverness. For up-to-date coach timetables and booking information visit: www.gobycoach.com or www.citylink.co.uk.
Inverness by air:
Inverness is becoming increasingly well-served by major and budget airlines from all over the UK and Ireland. For up-to-date timetables and booking information visit: www.ba.com, www.easyjet.com, www.ryanair.com, www.easternairways.com or www.hial.co.uk.
If your group requires transfer from another Scottish airport, please ask.
Scotland's rich history and culture are evidenced in its large cities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Glasgow. But it’s the rolling green hills and dramatic moors of the Scottish countryside that mark this as a top destination for international travelers. The "lochs" (lakes) are popular sites, particularly the famous Loch Ness and its alleged sea monster. The romance and drama of the barren moors covered in thick fog is an unforgettable sight. The coastal areas of Scotland feature craggy cliffs and many world-class golf courses. The tiny islands dotting the coast are home to quaint fishing villages and fantastic seafood.
More on bicycling in Scotland >
View all Scotland bike tours >
Scotland's rich history and culture are evidenced in its large cities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Glasgow. But it’s the rolling green hills and dramatic moors of the Scottish countryside that mark this as a top destination for international travelers. The "lochs" (lakes) are popular sites, particularly the famous Loch Ness and its alleged sea monster. The romance and drama of the barren moors covered in thick fog is an unforgettable sight. The coastal areas of Scotland feature craggy cliffs and many world-class golf courses. The tiny islands dotting the coast are home to quaint fishing villages and fantastic seafood.
More on bicycling in Scotland >
View all Scotland bike tours >
Mountain Bike Holidays Scotland, also known as Highlands & Islands Adventures, are Scotland's experts in guided mountain bike tours. Their tours take in the most beautiful, remote and unspoilt landscapes of Scotland and provide the opportunity to experience the real Scotland by meeting local people, enjoying locally-produced food and drink, and soaking up the culture of this small, but fiercly proud country. All on two wheels!
Mountain Bike Holidays Scotland, also known as Highlands & Islands Adventures, are Scotland's experts in guided mountain bike tours. Their tours take in the most beautiful, remote and unspoilt landscapes of Scotland and provide the opportunity to experience the real Scotland by meeting local people, enjoying locally-produced food and drink, and soaking up the culture of this small, but fiercly proud country. All on two wheels!
If you wish to cancel your holiday, this must be done in writing by the person whose name the holiday is invoiced to.
If you cancel your booking more than two calendar months before the first day of your holiday, you will receive a refund of monies paid, minus the 25% non-refundable deposit.
If you cancel your holiday less than two calendar months before the first day of your holiday you will receive no refund on monies paid.
We will not cancel your holiday unless (i) we are forced to do so by unforeseeable circumstances: adverse weather conditions, acts of God; or (ii) if the minimum number needed to operate our holidays has not been met. In the latter case we will advise you no later than 28 days prior to departure.
If the holiday has to be cancelled for any reason then you will be informed and offered another holiday.
Highlands and Islands Adventures reserves the right to change the itinerary advertised for any holiday, at any time and for any reason, such as adverse weather conditions, forestry operations and other seasonal activities, e.g. deer culling.
To take part in our holidays you must include adequate insurance for baggage, medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become too ill to continue. Any claims concerning matters for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers.
Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you realise the risks and hazards of such a holiday, including the dangers inherent in cycling either on the road or off the road, or the dangers inherent in the other activities included in individual holidays.
On an adventurous holiday it is necessary that you abide by the authority of the leader, who represents the company. Completing the booking process signifies your agreement to this, and if you commit any illegal act when on the holiday or if in the reasonable opinion of the leader your behaviour is causing or likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others we may terminate your travel arrangements without any liability on our part. If you are affected by any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect your or other people's enjoyment of the holiday, you must advise us of this at the time of booking.
Our responsibility does not commence until the appointed time at the designated meeting point. If you fail to arrive there at the appointed time for whatever reason, we will not be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by you to meet up with the group.
We shall not be held liable for any damages caused by the total, or partial failure to carry out the contract if such failure is due to the theft of bicycles or injury as a result of cycling either on or off road and in particular injuries as a result of either inadequately maintained and serviced personal equipment or failure to wear the correct safety equipment most notably cycle helmets.
When completing the booking process you agree to accept all these conditions and when we accept your booking we agree to carry out our obligations as defined to you in all materials sent to you from us. This agreement is made subject to, and must be interpreted and enforced by Scots Law.
Any likeness or image of you secured or taken on any of our holidays may be used by the company without charge in all media (whether now existing or in the future) for bona fide promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, videos and the internet.
Please ensure that your bike is adequately maintained and insured. We will take all reasonable care when transporting bikes, however we are not responsible financially for any damage caused by a third party during our trip or in transit to the start point of the holiday.
If you wish to cancel your holiday, this must be done in writing by the person whose name the holiday is invoiced to.
If you cancel your booking more than two calendar months before the first day of your holiday, you will receive a refund of monies paid, minus the 25% non-refundable deposit.
If you cancel your holiday less than two calendar months before the first day of your holiday you will receive no refund on monies paid.
We will not cancel your holiday unless (i) we are forced to do so by unforeseeable circumstances: adverse weather conditions, acts of God; or (ii) if the minimum number needed to operate our holidays has not been met. In the latter case we will advise you no later than 28 days prior to departure.
If the holiday has to be cancelled for any reason then you will be informed and offered another holiday.
Highlands and Islands Adventures reserves the right to change the itinerary advertised for any holiday, at any time and for any reason, such as adverse weather conditions, forestry operations and other seasonal activities, e.g. deer culling.
To take part in our holidays you must include adequate insurance for baggage, medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become too ill to continue. Any claims concerning matters for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers.
Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you realise the risks and hazards of such a holiday, including the dangers inherent in cycling either on the road or off the road, or the dangers inherent in the other activities included in individual holidays.
On an adventurous holiday it is necessary that you abide by the authority of the leader, who represents the company. Completing the booking process signifies your agreement to this, and if you commit any illegal act when on the holiday or if in the reasonable opinion of the leader your behaviour is causing or likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others we may terminate your travel arrangements without any liability on our part. If you are affected by any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect your or other people's enjoyment of the holiday, you must advise us of this at the time of booking.
Our responsibility does not commence until the appointed time at the designated meeting point. If you fail to arrive there at the appointed time for whatever reason, we will not be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by you to meet up with the group.
We shall not be held liable for any damages caused by the total, or partial failure to carry out the contract if such failure is due to the theft of bicycles or injury as a result of cycling either on or off road and in particular injuries as a result of either inadequately maintained and serviced personal equipment or failure to wear the correct safety equipment most notably cycle helmets.
When completing the booking process you agree to accept all these conditions and when we accept your booking we agree to carry out our obligations as defined to you in all materials sent to you from us. This agreement is made subject to, and must be interpreted and enforced by Scots Law.
Any likeness or image of you secured or taken on any of our holidays may be used by the company without charge in all media (whether now existing or in the future) for bona fide promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, videos and the internet.
Please ensure that your bike is adequately maintained and insured. We will take all reasonable care when transporting bikes, however we are not responsible financially for any damage caused by a third party during our trip or in transit to the start point of the holiday.
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Gold Corporate Member
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