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Scotland's Lochs & Glens

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.7 Read 18 reviews
  • Lochs, glens and bens of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park
  • Easy cycling on quiet roads and cycle paths
  • Castles, whisky and history at almost every turn of the road
  • Charming accommodation in authentic Scottish B&B’s, guesthouses and country inns
Explore Scotland’s lochs and glens by bike, soaking in the unique landscape of the Scottish Highlands whilst savouring the clean, fresh Scottish air. Immerse yourself in rich clan history as you cycle past castles through the rugged Trossachs hills and then into Highland Perthshire. Great cycling complimented by welcoming Scottish hospitality, world class whisky and the produce from Scotland’s natural larder. Your cycling adventure begins in the bustling holiday town of Callander, known as the gateway to the highlands, which lies beneath wooded crags. Learn the story of Rob Roy at the visitor centre before you pedal east to Loch Katrine. Here you can enjoy a fine cycle along the tranquil Loch Katrine and perhaps a trip on the 100 year old Sir Walter Scott steamship. Your route continues north past Loch Lubnaig and through Glen Ogle to the village of Killin, which lies at the southern end of Loch Tay and is bisected by The Falls Of Dochart. The scenery just gets even better with every turn of the pedals as you follow the southern shore of Loch Tay past the Scottish Crannog Centre, Dewar’s World of Whisky and Taymouth Castle. Aberfeldy is next, famous for the ‘Birks of Aberfeldy’ a poem by Robert Burns. The Victorian spa town of Pitlochry is your base for the final three nights. Choose from several routes which visit Dunkeld Cathedral, Blair Castle, Queen’s View, Moulin, Killiecranckie as they wind Big Tree Country.
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What To Expect

An easy to moderate cycling route for individuals that enjoy cycling in breathtaking surroundings, steeped in history with an appreciation for good quality food from Scotland’s world famous produce, first class hospitality and of course a Scotch or two!

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Whisky
  • National Parks
  • Accessible by Rail

Grade & Terrain

The Scotland’s Lochs & Glens cycling trip is graded easy to moderate and offers cycling through the magnificent landscape of lochs and glens that make up the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park and Highland Perthshire. You will follow routes along quiet country roads, cycle paths and through towns and villages, so please always be mindful of other road users at all times, especially on those shared with traffic. Some days are longer so a better level of bike fitness required.

Navigation

The route is part of the National Cycle Network and when you are on the network you will see Red for National Routes and blue for regional routes with the number relating to the route you are following. However, always refer to your route notes supplied.

Make sure that you pay attention at any intersections and if you do not find a waymarker at an intersection think back to the last junction and make sure you are on the right path. With the route information provided, you will have no problem following the route, but we would suggest carrying a compass and knowing how to use it.

Accommodation Information

We specifically choose the hotels, inns, guesthouses and B&B’s to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. All offer a warm welcome to cyclists, with cycle storage, traditional hospitality and delicious local food.

Single Rooms and Solo cyclists

This independent cycling holiday is available to solo cyclists though a single supplement would be applied. Any single rooms booked also incur a single supplement.

Meals

A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants and your guide book will have details.

Included
  • 7 Nights in hand-picked B&B's and guesthouses
  • 7 Breakfasts
  • Baggage transfers
  • Information pack and access to maps & GPX tracks on the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
  • 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office
Excluded
  • Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
  • Boat crossing of Loch Katrine
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Personal equipment
Extras
  • Bike hire
  • Extra nights before, after or during your cycle

When To Go

Scotland's Lochs & Glens holiday is available from April to October. You can start your holiday on any date in the season. Option prices will be displayed as part of the booking process.

Getting to the Start

Callander is located on the A84, which is accessible by car from both Glasgow (50 minutes) and Edinburgh (1 hour 10 minutes).  If you do plan to leave your car then Callander offers several free car parking options (which are subject to availability).

Scotrail offer direct trains from Glasgow (30 minutes) and Edinburgh (50 minutes) to Stirling where you can catch the bus to Callander. The journey time is 45 minutes and is operated by First Buses.  Timetables can be viewed at First Group.

Getting from the End

Pitlochry is located close to the A9 which is accessible by car Glasgow (1 hour 40 minutes) and Edinburgh (1 hour 26 minutes)  

Scotrail offers direct trains from Pitlochry to both Glasgow and Edinburgh (both 1 hour 50 minutes).  

Rail tickets can be purchased directly with Scotrail  Scot Rail. If you are taking your own bike then reservations must be made in advance with Scotrail on 08457 550033.

For detailed public transport, information see Traveline Scotland.

Baggage Transfer

Daily door to door baggage transfer is included in the cost of your holiday. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase.  Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person.  It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Equipment

We offer bike hire for this holiday. Collect your bike from Callander. We organise the collection from Pitlochry to return your bikes. Our bike hire partner provides excellent quality Trek or Scott hybrid bikes with a rear pannier rack, repair kit, pump and lock.

An e-bike upgrade is also possible on this tour.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive In Callander Day 2 Callander to Loch Katrine 30 miles / 49 km Day 3 Callander to Killin 25 miles / 41 km Day 4 Killin to Aberfeldy 25 miles / 40 km Day 5 Aberfeldy to Pitlochry 15 miles / 24 km Day 6 Loch Tummel Circuit 28 miles / 45 km Day 7 By the River Garry to Blair Castle 16 miles / 26 km Day 8 Depart Pitlochry

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