Scottish Highland Lochs & Glens

Day 1 : Arrival Day, Balloch

Meet us on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond in Balloch for our welcome get together and dinner on these iconic shores. Breath the fresh air, gaze in wonder at the starry night skies or enjoy a wee dram to welcome you to the beautiful highlands before a relaxing night in your comfortable accommodations.

Day 2 : Balloch - Gartmore - Callander 28km/18miles

Today the cycling begins and you should be in full strength and high spirits following a restful night by the Loch and a hearty Scottish breakfast to set you up for the day ahead.

We will take a short transfer to the pretty little village of Gartmore on the edge of Loch Ard Forest. On a clear day you may see the imposing Wallace Monument in Stirling almost 25 miles away.

After getting acquainted with our bikes we take to the journey through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park passing through forest and around lochs to our overnight destination of Callendar, a highland gateway with a long, rich history.

Day 3 Callander to Killin 37km/23miles

Today is a fabulous ride almost entirely on cycle trail following rail trail bike paths first along the river through the Falls of Leny and then gently climbing through the dramatic Glen Ogle crossing a scenic 12 arched former railway viaduct built on the mountainside in 1866. At the top of the glen we coast down the last few miles through a woodland to the conservation village of Killin at the Falls of Dochart.

Day 4 Killin - Taynuilt to Connel 23km/14miles or 52km/33miles

This morning we take a transfer on the road to Oban passing Mountain Munros and skirting the northern shores of Loch Awe on route to the village of Taynuilt where we begin today’s cycling.

We cycle through Glen Lonan known in folklore as the ‘Road of the Kings’, a landscape scattered with remains of ancient cairns, duns (forts) and standing stones. Around lunchtime we reach our overnight destination for a pit stop before continuing on to cross the Connel Bridge and enjoy a beautiful ride around the shoreline of the sea loch, Loch Etive. Tonight we spend our first night of two at a fabulous spot in Connel, a .inch-wide village on the Firth of Lorn.

If you have the time, it’s worth exploring the spectacular Falls of Lora; the naturally occurring tidal rapids under Connel bridge, which occur as the tide flows out at the narrow mouth of the loch

Day 5 Connel : Day off to Visit Oban

Today we have a rest day from cycling to visit the popular coastal town of Oban, known as the ‘Seafood Capital of Scotland’. There’s plenty to occupy the day – whisky buffs can visit the Oban distillery, one of the oldest in Scotland, or you can take to the water for a day trip to the isles or on a whale and dolphin watching trip or even go sea kayaking! Head to the beach at Ganavan Sands or take a walk up to McCaigs Tower for fabulous views over Oban and out to the Isles or simply enjoy the highland hospitality and shopping around town.

Tonight’s dinner is on your own so you can dine at the hotel or enjoy the evening in Oban and maybe catch a Ceilidh!

Day 6 Connel to Port Appin 48km/30miles

Today we are back on our bikes and cross the cantilever Connel Bridge over the Falls of Lora to follow a mix of bike path and back roads as we meander our route to Port Appin, the scenic little fishing village on a secluded peninsula looking out to the island of Lismore. The village is home to artists who’s work can be seen in local establishments and the enchanting local craft shop. Take a stroll to the Pierhouse to enjoy a sunset glass of wine to celebrate another memorable day.

Day 7 Port Appin to Fort William 51km/32miles

Bidding farewell to Port Appin after a very peaceful night, today we head to Fort William, one of the main towns of the highlands sitting under the watchful gaze of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain.

We will enjoy a good section of rail trail, a ride through the Highland Titles Nature Reserve and two short ferry crossings to take us to our destination at the head of Loch Linnhe.

Day 8 Fort William to Fort Augustus 54km/34miles

Today we head into the Great Glen, a geological fault line running for 100km almost in a straight line between Inverness and Fort William. Following the Great Glen Way we leave Fort William to reach the impressive stepped boat locks of Neptunes Staircase and join the Caledonian Canal cycle way. Later we will cycle along the forested hillside above Loch Lochy before rejoining the Caledonian Canal for the last few miles into Fort Augustus, a scenic hamlet with a history of Jacobite rebellion and a Benedictine Abbey at the very southern tip of Loch Ness.

Day 9 Fort Augustus to Inverness 54km/34miles or 45km/28miles

This morning you might want to grab an extra serving of haggis for breakfast if you want to join the optional 5 mile popular cyclists hill climb at 12% gradient out of Fort Augustus to the Glen Doe summit. You are well rewarded on reaching the top at Suidhe Viewpoint with sweeping panoramic views down to Loch Ness and of our route ahead. Don’t worry though, if you don’t fancy the climb we will shuttle yourself and your bike to the summit for a more leisurely start!

We then follow the old General Wade’s Military Road to Inverness, beginning with a 10km free wheel on a steady downhill before cycling along the very edge of Loch Ness shoreline – remember to keep a sharp eye out for Nessie, the Loch Ness monster! Tonight we will enjoy a well earned farewell dinner together.

Day 10 Inverness Departure Day

All good things must come to an end and sadly now our cycle tour is over. But your Scottish adventure can continue on from here. Stay on in Inverness and explore the locality, take a boat onto Loch Ness for some more Nessie spotting, head further north into the remote regions of the highlands or south to the Cairngorm mountains or on to visit Scotland’s great capital, Edinburgh. The world’s your Haggis!