Scotland – Highlands & Islands
Scotland – Highlands & Islands
Join our Company Founder, Peter Thomson, on an incredible ride through Scotland's magnificent Highlands & Islands
The trip focuses on the western islands of Mull and Skye – incredibly beautiful places to ride a bike! Listed by Lonely Planet in the Top 10 travel destinations in the world!
Featured Climbs
Bealach na Ba, Glen More, Bealach na Ba
Overview
Details
Next Departure
June 5th 2022
Price
USD $6,895
Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Non-Rider Friendly
Yes ?
Rental Bike
USD $500
Ride Program
Total Distance
Total Elevation
Daily Av. Distance
Daily Av. Elevation
Overview
Our Company Founder, Peter Thomson, was brought up in Scotland and before taking up road-racing, he’d spend many a holiday cycle-touring around the mountains of Scotland. 40 years later he returns to Scotland to share with you the best of these holiday routes.
Scotland’s west coast is a wild and remote place, filled with some of the most beautiful scenery you’ll find anywhere in the world – and includes many of Peter’s favorite rides! We focus on the Inner Hebridean islands of Mull and Skye along with the most spectacular rides on the Scottish mainland. You’ll ride across the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, recognized as one of the most beautiful regions of Scotland, and the trip concludes with the UK’s most challenging climb, the Bealach na Ba Pass (from both sides). This region is also home to magnificent ocean wildlife and we’ll include a boat trip to witness some of this wildlife including basking sharks, minke whales, killer whales, seals, dolphins etc.
To enjoy Scotland at its best you’ll stay in luxury accommodations including the 5-star Isle of Eriska Hotel – located on it’s own private island, and the top hotels on the Isle of Skye.
Banner Photo Credits: VisitScotland/Paul Tomkins, Damian Shields, Kenny Lam & John Duncan North East 250/Damian Shields
Book with Confidence Commitment
Book your 2021 Thomson trip with confidence. Our new cancellation policy provides a Full Refund if you cancel your trip up to 90 days prior to departure. View our 2021 Terms & Conditions for full details.
Itinerary
| Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Welcome to Scotland | Isle of Eriska Hotel | |||
| 02 | Isle of Mull | Isle of Eriska Hotel | |||
| 03 | Ardnamurchan Peninsula | Duisdale House Hotel | |||
| 04 | Isle of Skye - the East Coast | Skeabost Hotel | |||
| 05 | Isle of Skye - the West Coast | Duisdale House Hotel | |||
| 06 | Bealach na Ba Pass x 2! | Duisdale House Hotel | |||
| 07 | Haste ye back! |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Welcome to Scotland
Your trip starts at Inverness Airport where our staff will meet you before the short transfer to your luxury hotel on it’s own private island!
After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll head out for your first ride in Scotland through Glen Salach to Loch Etive. A really beautiful ride to open up your week in the Highlands & Islands, and a wee taste of things to come!
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
Isle of Mull
One of the most beautiful and picturesque islands in Scotland is the Isle of Mull and it’s one of Peter’s favorite places in the world to ride a bike!
You’ll start the morning with a 20-minute drive along Ardmucknish Bay to Oban where you’ll take the 45 minute ferry ride across Loch Linnhe to Mull. The ferry sails into the port of Craignure which is where our 140km Tour of Mull starts.
The entire route is magnificent. You’ll ride around the bottom of Mull’s highest mountain, Ben More, then head through breathtaking coastline to the north of the island. After a series of short, steep climbs and a few switchbacks you’ll drop down to Tobermory, the largest town on the island, famous for it’s row of multi-coloured houses that featured in the children’s TV series Balamory. From Tobermory, it’s a short spin along the shores of the Sound of Mull to Craignure where the ferry will take you back to the mainland.
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
Ardnamurchan Peninsula
From one island to another – today you’ll head northwards through the Ardnamurchan Peninsula towards the famous Isle of Skye. The route takes us through the best of Scottish landscapes, mountains, lochs, rivers and waterfalls abound and as always you’ll be accompanied by thousands of sheep and highland cows.
Leaving the hotel you’ll ride up the east shore of Loch Linnhe, eventually arriving at the base of the famous Glencoe valley where, in 1692, the Macdonald clan was attacked by the Campbells in the infamous massacre of Glencoe.
The next 100km are a real feast of mountain and ocean landscapes before you arrive in the port town of Mallaig where you’ll take the 45 minute ferry over to the Isle of Skye. On arriving in Skye, you’ll have the option of jumping in the van or riding the final 12km stretch to our hotel in Duisdale.
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Map & Profile
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Glen Salach from Barcaldine |
3.4% | 3 | ||
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| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Glen More from Inverlussa |
2.5% | 3 | ||
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Allt Chreaga Dubha Waterfall from Kilfinichen |
3.2% | 4 | ||
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Tostary from Killiemor |
3.2% | 4 | ||
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Burg from Kilninian |
5.4% | 3 | ||
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Dervaig Hill from Achnadrish |
5.2% | 4 | ||
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Gualan Dubh from Tobermory |
2.4% | 4 | ||
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| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Glen Tarbert from Inversanda |
3% | 4 | ||
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Drynie Hill from Dalnabreck |
5.5% | 4 | ||
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Loch na Draipe from Kyles Wood |
5.6% | 4 | ||
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Climbs
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Climbs
Dates & Prices
| Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | |||||||
|
Closed
|
Jun 6 - Jun 12 |
Closed |
Cancelled due to COVID-19 |
USD $6,895 |
USD $1,500 |
USD $1,375 |
|
| 2022 | |||||||
Jun 5 - Jun 11 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $6,895 |
USD $1,500 |
USD $1,375 |
Book this trip | |
Waiting List
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Trip Hotels
What's Included
| What's Included | What's Not Included |
|---|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
|
|
| What's Included |
|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
|
| What's Not Included |
|
Travel Details
Arrival
| Pickup Location | Meeting Time |
|---|---|
|
Inverness Airport |
9:00am |
OR |
|
|
Kingsmills Hotel |
9:00am |
Departure
| Drop Off Location | Arrival Time |
|---|---|
|
Inverness Airport |
10:30am |
OR |
|
|
Inverness Railway Station |
10:30am |
Rental Bikes
Made by hand in Italy, the Basso Bikes Diamante is exactly what a fine, authentic, Italian road bike should be. The classic lines, flawless geometry and rounded tube shapes offer performance and ultimate versatility.
Frame
Basso Diamante
Groupset
Shimano Ultegra R8070 Di2 (Electronic Shifting)
Weight
8kg (size 53)
Wheels
Microtech MR38 Disc Carbon Clincher
Chainrings
50x34
Cassette
11-32
Sizes
45, 48, 51, 53, 56, 58, 61
Price
USD $500
Scotland – Highlands & Islands
Join Peter for this incredible opportunity to witness the best of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands
