International, Scotland

Scotland’s Isle of Arran Bike Tour

DURATION

7 Days

PRICE

$4,978

LEVEL

BADV_AbilityLevel_IconsIntermediate

DAILY DISTANCE

40-60 Miles

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Cycling (bikes included), Drumlanrig Castle tour, & whisky tasting

INCLUDED MEALS

All meals included except one lunch and one dinner

Discover and explore what we ultimately strive for in a cycling vacation–which is to simply “Pedal Happy”.

Scotland – a land of myths, legends and majestic landscapes! Ride through rolling farmland and deep forest. Stop to visit ancient castles and hear stories of epic battles. Sample the craft beers and delicacies of Dumfries and Galloway. Board a ferry to cross the Firth of Clyde to Scotland’s 7th largest island, the Isle of Arran. Bicycle Arran’s wilderness and discover the rich natural and cultural heritage of this amazing place. Recharge at the island’s own whisky distillery. Ride the Mull of Kintyre and enjoy a final night of celebration before heading back to Glasgow.

COMBINING TOURS: We schedule our United Kingdom tour dates to make longer adventures possible. You can combine our Scotland tour with Ireland or England for the ultimate U.K. cycling experience!

Day 01

Meet in Glasgow. Begin at a castle, and ride to the birthplace of the bicycle!

Meals

– Lunch
– Dinner

Lodging

Ernespie House Hotel

Mileage

32 miles

Elevation

+1,909 ft / -1,996 ft

Meet in Glasgow. Transfer southwards out of the city (about 1.5hrs) to the magnificent Drumlanrig Castle. After a short briefing, we take a tour of the 17th century “pink palace” which is one of the country’s finest examples of Renaissance architecture and makes a fitting place to commence your journey. After lunch, enjoy a virtually traffic-free shakedown ride on the estate roads. Head south through quiet and scenic countryside, passing Keir Mill where the modern-day pedal bicycle was invented in 1839 by local blacksmith Kirkpatrick Macmillian. Stay the next two nights at the Ernespie House Hotel, a historic 18th century country house.

Day 02

Explore the countryside of Dumfries and Galloway and a "Sweetheart" of an Abbey.

Meals

– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner

Lodging

Ernespie House Hotel

Distance

59 miles

Elevation

+3,231 ft / -3,231 ft

Dumfries and Galloway is a cycling revelation, sporting over 700 km/450 miles of marked routes on quiet roads through beautiful scenery. Starting just outside the ‘food town’ of Castle Douglas (with its fantastic range of cafes, bakers, butchers and fishmongers), todays’ ride is pure countryside where there are likely to be more sheep than cars. Bicycle onward to the quaint village of New Abbey, where a visit to the 13th-century Sweetheart Abbey is a must. Enjoy a delightful café lunch before the ride back to the hotel.

Day 03

Watch for red deer and wild goats while you cycle through Galloway Forest Park and along Loch Ken.

Meals

– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner

Lodging

Creebridge House Hotel

Distance

55 miles

Elevation

+2,722 ft / -2,903 ft

Today, cross the region from east to west, from Castle Douglas we turn north heading for Galloway Forest Park. Follow the shores of Loch Ken, then climb out of New Galloway into the heart of the Park. Watch for Red Deer and wild goats on this stretch of road with a brief stop at Murray’s Monument before leading to the final part of the day – a superb cruise on a gentle downhill gradient to the village of Newton Stewart. Stay at Creebridge House Hotel.

Day 04

After a morning ride to the village of Straiton, hop a ferry and cross the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran.

Meals

– Breakfast
– Dinner

Lodging

Auchrannie Resort

Distance

31 miles

Elevation

+2053 ft / -1745 ft

After an early, hearty Scottish breakfast, ride to the charming village of Straiton, then hop in the van for a shuttle north to reach the small ferry port of Ardrossan. Board the ferry and cross the Firth of Clyde to the fantastic Isle of Arran. Affectionately known as “Scotland in Miniature,” the island is a perfect mix of coast, moorland, and mountains. Want to explore the town or relax at the resort in the afternoon? No problem. We can drop you off to get a massage or other spa treatments at the resort’s ASpa, or go for a swim in one of the hotel’s two indoor pools. Lunch is on your own today, Stay at the Auchrannie Resort for the next 3 nights.

Day 05

Do the Scotland Mull of Kintyre Whisky Ride. Finish with a dram!

Meals

– Breakfast
– Lunch

Lodging

Auchrannie Resort

Distance

47 miles

Elevation

+3,369 ft / -3,401 ft

Today’s ride is a true adventure involving two short ferry crossings and up to 60 miles of amazing roads and views of Arran from a totally different perspective. Bicycle north past Goat Fell, Arran’s highest peak at 874 meters (2,866 ft), to an ancient castle in the village of Lochranza, then take a short ferry ride to the mainland and the Kintyre Peninsula. Ride to lunch near the scenic working fishing village of Carradale, a small, peaceful harbor with stunning views across the Sound of Arran. At the nearby Carradale Point, the Scottish Wildlife Trust has a nature reserve with feral goats, and a good example of a vitrified fort built more than 2000 years ago on a small tidal island off the headland. Our guide, Jeff Barth, has put today’s route in his “Top 10 Rides” he’s ever done! After lunch, cycle back to the ferry enjoying new perspectives of this beautiful land. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight.

Day 06

Bicycle the Isle of Arran loop, one of the country's classic day rides.

Meals

– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner

Lodging

Auchrannie Resort

Distance

56 miles

Elevation

+3408 ft / -3413 ft

The complete loop of the Island offers 56 miles of fantastic riding. With plenty of hills it’s a challenge, but the reward is one of the country’s classic day rides. Head south from Brodick to tackle the loop clockwise, passing by Holy Isle with its Buddhist monastery. Rounding the southern end of the island, views to the Mull of Kintyre open up with Ireland just visible in the distance. Heading up the west coast, the reward in the north is a visit to the Arran distillery in Lochranza. Enjoy a wee tonic of malt whisky before tackling the climb near Glen Sannox. On the other side you’ll find one of the best descents anywhere on a brand-new road surface. Then it’s a mostly flat cruise back to Brodick and a final celebration dinner.

Day 07

After a relaxing morning - or a very early bike ride - we head back to Glasgow.

Meals

– Breakfast

Go for a (optional) very early ride with the guides. Get back in plenty of time to shower and enjoy one more yummy breakfast spread before our ferry back to the “mainland” and our shuttle back to Glasgow.

Dates
Guaranteed
This means that the tour will definitely depart as scheduled and not be canceled.
Price
Availability
Dates
Single Supplement
Price
$1,344
This is not required. It is an optional fee to allow a solo traveler to guarantee a private room for the duration of the tour.
Dates
Jun 8, 2024
Guaranteed
This means that the tour will definitely depart as scheduled and not be canceled.
Price
$4,978
Availability
Open
Dates
Jul 20, 2024
Guaranteed
This means that the tour will definitely depart as scheduled and not be canceled.
Price
$4,978
Availability
Open
Dates
Aug 24, 2024
Guaranteed
This means that the tour will definitely depart as scheduled and not be canceled.
Price
$4,978
Availability
Open

BIKES (Bike models will differ. Call our office or request our Guest Info Packet for models.)

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