Scottish Highlands
Saturday 16th June - Sunday 24th June 2012
| Duration |
8 Nights |
| Tour Area |
Western, Northern and Central Scotland |
| Status |
Escorted Tour (E) |
| Accommodation |
3 Star Hotels - two with swimming pools |
| Mileage |
100 - 200 miles per day - max 245 miles |
| Tour mileage |
1200 miles |
| Roads |
Combination of A, B and Unfenced Roads |
| Skills |
Suitable for intermediate rider with previous tour experience |
The one you keep asking for - a week's tour of the Scottish Highlands
This tour travels clockwise, starting amongst the lochs
and forests of Galloway, before travelling up the
beautiful west coast of Scotland. A two night stop at a lovely hotel
on the shores of Loch Ness allows you time to explore the
central Highlands or perhaps take the bike friendly A87 to Skye. We
continue our tour into Wester Ross and the well known Applecross Peninsula
before stopping for the night at the fishing port of Ullapool. Northwards,
the dramatic landscape of Northwest Sutherland awaits, until finally reaching
Durness we must turn eastwards following the north coast
road to the famous John O' Groats.
Our return
takes us down the spine of the country, through the Grampian Mountains and
into the Lowlands. Having by-passed Edinburgh, we ride through
the scenic Scottish Borders, over the Northern Pennines and into the Yorkshire
Dales. Our last nights' stop, on
the outskirts of English Lake District, is within easy access of all major
road networks.
This tour involves moving most nights, which will not
suit everyone. However, we have tried to keep daily mileages to a reasonable
level, allowing us to maximise your time spent in this
wonderful part of the UK. Although this is an escorted tour, for those new to touring, there is the opportunity to ride with your escort, who will guide you each step of the way.
Your tour includes 8 nights' en-suite accommodation at 3 star hotels, regional
breakfasts and all evening
meals - leaving you only needing to budget for lunches, fuel and drinks.
Tour Format
Day 1: Saturday 16th June Today, you will make
your way to a 3 star hotel set in beautful
grounds, in the town of Dumfries. There is the opportunity to visit
the famous town of Gretna Green, before arriving in time for a traditional
evening meal and a get-to-know-you session with your fellow riders and Guide
for the tour.
Day 2: Sunday 17th June (200 miles) We
start the day with a leisurely ride through the lovely Galloway countryside,
before turning northwards along the scenic Ayrshire coast towards the ferry
port of Gourock. Pausing only to take the short ferry
ride across the Firth of Clyde, we continue our journey through the dramatic
Argyll Forest, to end our day at the historic village of Inveraray. Our
accommodation tonight is at a modern 3 star hotel complete with swimming pool & spa, overlooking
the shores of Loch Fyne.
Day 3: Monday 18th (100-150 miles) No
time to pause for breath, as we have yet another day of wonderful scenery
and great roads. We have a choice of routes, but all come together before
we ride over the dramatic Rannoch Moor and into
the forbidding, but beautiful, Glencoe. There's time
to pay a visit to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, before arriving
at our final destination, a hotel in Fort Augustus on the shores of Loch
Ness.
Day 4: Tuesday 19th June (free day) A
two night stay here gives you a free day to do what you wish. For
many, this will be an ideal opportunity to ride the bike-friendly
A87 (twice!) down Glen Sheil, over the Skye road Bridge to tour the Isle
of Skye. On the way you can pause to admire the
famous Eilean Castle - backdrop for a thousand calendars. For others
there is a multitude of roads to ride, a vist to Inverness perhaps, or maybe
a tour of the Black Isle. If you do not fancy wandering far, you can
relax and watch the boats pass through the locks of the Caledonian Canal,
or of course there will be an odd monster or two to look out for!
Day 5: Wednesday 20th June (215 miles) Once
again various routes you may take - not far in real terms if you take the
direct route along Loch Ness or Loch Carron to our next overnight stop in
Ullapool. However, it would be a shame not to take advantage of the
demanding roads and stunning scenery of Wester Ross and, in particular, Applecross
Peninsular. This Peninsula is located on the west coast, directly opposite
Raasay, Rona and Skye. Access
is by the "Bealach nam Bo", or by the coast road from Shieldaig. The
Bealach nam Bo (the pass of the cattle) is an old drove road used historically
to take cattle to the market and is one of highest roads in Scotland at
626m (2053 feet) above sea level. The road incorporates a number
of hairpin bends and is unsuitable for learner drivers, caravans or those
of a nervous disposition. However,
the views of the Applecross hills, the Cuillins of Skye and the bay are spectacular. The
coast road offers an alternative route for those uncertain of the Bealach,
and provides panoramic views over the Torridon Mountains and Loch Torridon. Irrespective
of which route is taken, visitors never fail to be impressed by the beauty
and grandeur of this rugged coastline.
Day 6: Thursday 21st
June (188 miles) Today
sees us head north along the coastal road via
Scourie to Durness, from where we turn eastwards, following the
coastline past Thurso to John 'O' Groats for that Kodak moment. Having
run out out of land, we turn southwards to ride down the Caithness Coast
to our next overnight stop, a former coaching inn overlooking the North Sea
Coast.
Northwest
Sutherland has probably the most distinctive landscape you are likely to
see in mainland Scotland - with its dramatic
seascapes, and rolling moors merging westwards into rugged peaks, notably
in the spectacular skyline of Ben Loyal by Tongue. At
3,000 million years old, the rocks at the seashore are even older than the
hills which - because of their significant
geological features - have made this Scotland's first Geopark.
Expect to see more wildlife than people, in this, one of the
most sparsely populated corners of Europe.
Day 7: Friday 22nd June (207 miles) Continuing
southwards, we pass through the historic Highland capital
of Inverness. Always a city of importance, there as been a various forts
built here since the 400s. Perhaps
best known is Fort George. Built
in 1727, it was destroyed by the Jacobites some 20 years later. Following
their slaughter at Culloden in April 1746, the fort you
see today was built some 11 miles Northeast of Inverness. The arrival of the
railways, and constuction of the Caledonian canal made this a true
capital of the Highlands, and today is quoted as being one of the fastest-growing
cities in Europe.
We continue our journey south on the A9. If time
allows, we recommend you take the Tomintoul road over the Cairngorm Mountains,
passing the Queens Scottish residence "Balmoral" and through Glen
Shee, which is a fun biking road, to our next nights' stop in a small Perthshire
town. A 3 star hotel,
with its own pool awaits, just the thing to relax those aches and pains.
Day 8: Saturday 23rd June (245
miles) Our tour is drawing to an end, but is far
from over, as today provides yet even more lovely scenery and great biking
roads. Leaving our hotel, we take a cross-country route, before
briefly joining the M90 as we cross the Forth Road
Bridge. Bypassing Edinburgh, we head through the Scottish Borders, Northern
Pennines and into the Yorkshire Dales for our final nights' stop at a 3
star hotel on the edge of the Lake District.
Day 9 : Saturday 24th June The
tour finishes after breakfast, and we bid our farewells before making
our way home.
Accommodation
This is not a tour using B&B's - all the accommodation
is hotels of 3 star qualities and have been chosen for their position, being bike friendly
and receiving top reviews. All
rooms are en-suite with the usual facilities, including
TV, hairdryer, and drinks-making facilities. You will have full use of the
hotels’ leisure
facilities, including - at two hotels - a swimming pool, so you may wish to
bring your swimming gear. We believe this tour offers tremendous value
for money as it includes not only full regional breakfasts, but all evening meals.
| Tour prices are inclusive of the following |
| * 8 Nights' en-suite accommodation |
| * 8 Evening Meals (vegetarian
option available) |
| * 8 Full Regional Breakfasts |
| * Full use of the hotels' leisure
facilities |
| * Garmin mapping and route instructions as appropiate |
| * Services of experienced Tour Guide |
Not Included
Dunoon Ferry crossing |
| Tour Cost |
|
| Two persons, one bike, shared room |
£699 each |
| One person, one bike, shared room |
£735 each |
| One person, one bike, single room |
£885 |
| Deposit £75 |
|
We regret the number
of single rooms available on this tour is limited. However, if you are
willing to share, there is a good chance we can get you on the tour, and save
you money.
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