Scotland
Highlands & Malt Whisky Trail
Scotland Highlands & Malt Whisky Trail
Ride the breathtakingly beautiful Grampian Mountains and the Speyside Whisky Trail with our Company Founder, Peter Thomson
The trip focuses on the mountains in the North-East of the country including the magnificent Trossachs National Park, Royal Deeside, Loch Ness and the famous Speyside Malt Whisky Trail.
Featured Climbs
Duke’s Pass, Sheriffmuir, The Lecht Road, Ben Lawers
Overview
Details
Next Departure
No Upcoming Departures
Duration
Non-Rider Friendly
Yes
Rental Bike
Not available
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.
The trip starts at the famous Gleneagles Hotel – maybe come in a few days early and enjoy a round of golf on the famous King’s or Queen’s courses. The first couple of days feature some of Peter’s old training rides through the beautiful Dunning Glen and the Trossachs National Park. From Gleneagles you’ll head north into the Highlands and the Grampian mountains, through Royal Deeside where the Royal Family have their summer residence in Balmoral, then finally into Speyside and the Malt Whisky Trail. We’ll organize at least one distillery visit and you’ll sample a few wee drams throughout the course of the week! The trip finishes in the capital of the Highlands, Inverness, with a fantastic ride that takes you along the shores of Loch Ness (keep your eyes open for Nessie!).
To enjoy Scotland at its best you’ll stay in luxury accommodations throughout the trip, including the world-famous 5-star Gleneagles Hotel and the Fife Arms, described by the Financial Times as Scotland’s Hottest Hotel!
Join Peter for this one-off opportunity to ride the mountains of Scotland and the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail.
Banner Photo Credits: Visit Scotland/Paul Tomkins, Damian Shields, Kenny Lam & John Duncan North East 250/Damian Shields
Dominique St-Louis, Canada — 2022
Frederic Desjardins, Canada — 2022
Itinerary
| Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Welcome to Scotland | Gleneagles Hotel | |||
| 02 | Duke's Pass and The Trossachs | Gleneagles Hotel | |||
| 03 | Into the Highlands through the Sma' Glen | Fonab Castle | |||
| 04 | Braemar & Royal Deeside | The Fife Arms | |||
| 05 | Speyside Malt Whisky Trail | The Craigellachie | |||
| 06 | Loch Ness | The Kingsmills Hotel | |||
| 07 | Haste ye back! | ||||
| Daily Averages |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Welcome to Scotland
Your trip starts at Edinburgh Airport where our staff will meet you before the short transfer to the world-famous Gleneagles 5-star hotel in Auchterarder.
After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll head out for your first ride in Scotland. You’ll ride through some of Peter’s old training grounds: over the Dunning Glen climb to Yetts o’Muckhart and then back through Glendevon to the hotel. A beautiful start to an exceptional week of riding!
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
Duke's Pass and The Trossachs
Today’s route was one of Peter’s favorite training rides way back many years ago when he lived in Scotland. A beautiful ride through some of the most picturesque scenery in Scotland – but also with a few wee bumps along the way to test the legs!
From the hotel you’ll head south to Dunblane, home of Scots tennis-star Andy Murray, then across the Kippen Flats to the village of Kippen. In Kippen you’ll hit the first climb of the day, the 6km climb to the “Top of the World”. A great descent takes you back down to the flats and on to the Lake of Menteith where Mary Queen of Scots, at the age of 4, took refuge from English King Henry VIII before being smuggled to safety in France.
Next up is the Duke’s Pass climb which leads into the Trossachs National Park, one of the most scenic regions of Scotland, followed by the final “surprise” – the steep climb to Sheriffmuir through Logie Kirk.
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
Into the Highlands through the Sma' Glen
A fabulous ride today which sees you leave behind the Lowlands and ride into the Highlands.
The entry to the Highlands is through the 7km Sma’ Glen which leads onto the first wee bump, the short but steep climb through Glen Quaich. A fantastic descent takes you down to the North shore of Loch Tay, another favorite destination for local riders.
You’ll ride along Loch Tay for 15km to Morenish and the single-lane road that leads up the climb towards Ben Lawers. Enjoy the wild landscapes that greet you when you get to Lochan na Lairige reservoir at the top of the climb. The descent takes you to Bridge of Balgie, over the River Lyon, which you’ll follow for the next 20km. The famous climb to the Schiehallion is next before dropping down to Tummel Bridge and the final run-in to Pitlochry and your hotel for the evening – the luxury Castle Fonab.
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Map & Profile
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Dunning Glen from Dunning |
5.1% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Top of the World from Kippen |
3.1% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
Duke’s Pass from Aberfoyle |
5.8% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
Sheriffmuir from Logie Kirk |
4.5% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Glen Quaich from Leachan |
8.9% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
Ben Lawers from Loch Tay |
6.4% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
The Schiehallion from Coshieville |
4.4% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
Climbs
Login to view full itinerary
To access full trip itinerary you must sign in to your profile
Sign up to view full itinerary
By creating a profile you will be able to access full trip itineraries.
Don't have a profile?
Have a profile?
Climbs
Dates & Prices
| Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount |
|---|
Waiting List
Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:
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 |
|
Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
| Pickup Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Edinburgh Airport |
9:00am |
OR |
|
|
Hilton Edinburgh Airport Hotel |
9:00am |
Departure
| Drop Off Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Inverness Airport |
9:00am |
OR |
|
|
Inverness Railway Station |
9:00am |
Scotland Highlands & Malt Whisky Trail
Join Peter for this one-off opportunity to ride the mountains of Scotland and the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail
