Scotland - Cycling and Island Hopping Around the Scottish Isles Bike Tour 2019 Individual Self-Guided 8 days / 7 nights This self-guided biking vacation takes you by bike around the Isles of Arran, Jura, Islay and Colonsay. Explore on this biking tour the whisky distilleries on Islay and the unique Island culture and hospitality which only the Islanders can provide. This Scottish cycle tour is ideal for couples as well as a family holiday. You will experience fabulous quiet country lanes, remote coastal scenes, fabulous long sandy beaches (on Islay), and historic landmarks such as Brodick castle. Many restaurants particularly on Islay will hunt the local produce, venison, pork, beef, lamb and fish are all in abundance. This is a self-guided cycling holiday like no other. Visit the distilleries such as Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Laphroaig, Caolila to name but a few.
Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Arrival in Ardrossan Arrive in Ardrossan and pick up your rental bikes just before 5:30 pm. Then take the 6 pm by ferry to the Isle of Arran. The ferry journey takes just under the hour. Your accommodation shall be a short walk from the harbour. Now you can start to enjoy Island life. Day 2: Brodick 45 km The Isle of Arran has it all, mountains, coastal cliffs, rolling and flat roads, that s why many people say that Arran is a Scotland in miniature. Before setting off on today s cycle ride why not visit the 13th century Brodick Castle and gardens or the Arran brewery. Today you cycle around the southern half of the Island. The road south provides you ever changing views. Small villages intermix with spectacular coastal scenes. Lamlash provides the link to Holy Isle, where a ferry can be caught to the monastery still occupied by Buddhist monks. The Isle has had a spiritual heritage since the 6th century. Return to Arran and continue your ride clockwise before you head back across the String the link road across the center of the island. This day is hillier than other days and does involve some short steep climbs. Day 3: Brodick Lochranza Cloanaig Kennocraig - Isle of Islay 24 km A day to cycle and relax on ferries. You cycle north, firstly on a flat section of 8 kilometers before climbing over to Lochranza. If you have time visit the ruined castle and then catch the ferry to Cloanaig (carry own luggage onto ferry). Then it is back on your bike for the short ride across the Kintyre peninsular to catch your second ferry from Kennacraig to Port Askaig on Island of Islay (carry own luggage onto ferry). This two hour ferry crossing passing some stunning coastal scenes. The fast flowing Sound of Islay, the water way between Islay and Jura is a great habitat for whales and dolphins. Once on Islay we normally stay in Ballygrant a few kilometers inland.
Day 4: Day trip to Isle of Jura various up to 64 km Today a short ferry crossing to the Island of Jura. On Jura navigation is easy, there is only one road. The Island of Jura is populated by some 5000 deer and 250 people. Jura House can be visited with some wonderful walled gardens and exotic plants. The road east gradually gets smaller and smaller until eventually turning into a footpath. Here you will feel you have reached nowhere and the solitude will be something you will remember forever. You might start to hear the noise of the Corryvreckan whirlpool a very dangerous effect where three tidal waters meet and create a whirlpool. For a short additional trip visit Finlaggan near Ballygrant on your return to Islay, the home of the ancient seat of the Lord of the Isle s, the rulers of the Western Isles once the Vikings had been removed. Day 5: Day trip to Isle of Colonsay 32 km Catch the ferry at Port Askaig to Colonsay in the morning. Colonsay being 16 kilometers long will allow you to explore most of the Island. Cycle to Ornasay across the tidal causeway to visit the ancient priory. The north section of Colonsay has some of the finest beaches in the Western Isles. Catch the evening ferry back to Islay. Day 6: Islay Port Askaig to Port Ellen surroundings 57 km Today you will explore by bike the north west of Islay, known as the Rinns of Islay before cycling to the south of the Island. Today you will pass the Bruichladdich distillery before arriving in Port Charlotte. Then to the north coast and a wonderful sandy beach, ideal for a picnic, pass the wildlife center, rural life museum or RSPB center then cycle the quiet lanes south to Port Ellen. Day 7: Isle of Islay south coast 9 32 km Today there are a few options, for whisky lovers, heaven has arrived in Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg, for those wanting to cycle, the coastal road to Claggain Bay passing Kildalton cross is totally stunning or if you are into Golf then just outside Port Ellen is Islay s only Golf course. The whisky tour in Ardbeg is extremely interesting, you shall not only find out about how whisky is made but also the fascinating history of whisky production on the Island. Pinterest.com Day 8: Departure After breakfast you will take the 9:45 am ferry from Port Ellen to Kennacraig (carry own luggage onto ferry), back on your bike you shall cycle across the Kintyre peninsular to Cloanaig. Then it is back on the ferry to the Island of Arran and your last cycle ride to Brodick this time along the not yet explored North West coastline, where you shall catch the ferry around 7:20 pm back to Ardrossan where you shall hand back you bikes just around 8:15 pm. From Ardrossan there is a train service which leaves after each ferry arrival back to Glasgow.
Route Technical Characteristics: Route Profile: Moderate. Biking in flat to hilly areas. You will encounter some climbs from time to time sometimes short but steep. The daily distances are between 29-65 kilometers per day. Distance: 254 km Travel Season: Departures Saturdays and Sundays between April 6 and October 27, 2019
Price per Person: in UK Pounds Basic price double occupancy 769.00 Single Occupancy 320.00 Hotel Upgrade Double Occupancy (3 nights at 5*) 919.00 Bike Rental Hybrid Bike 120.00 Bike Rental Road Bike 130.00 Bike Rental Tandem 200.00 Bike Rental E-Bike 175.00 Extra Nights Ardrossan or Glasgow On request Accommodation: 3 or 4 star hotels or guest houses Included: 7 nights bed and breakfast 5 x 3*, 2 x 4* Luggage transfers (carry own luggage onto ferries) Information Pack Route Instructions and Maps GPS files on request Not Included: Cost before and after tour Ferry fares (about 45.00) Travel Insurance Hotel upgrade
Bikes Photos of types of bikes offered on the tour. All bikes are replaced after 5 or 6 rides and models and makes may vary. Hybrid Bike Road Bike E-Bike Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848