Please note that the itinerary in Edinburgh is subject to change.
To sign up for the trip, click here.
June 22nd: Arrive in Edinburgh
June 23rd: Edinburgh (details to be added soon)
June 24th: Edinburgh (details to be added soon)
June 25th: Early Afternoon Train from Edinburgh to Island of Aran
You’ll have the morning free in Edinburgh.
We’ll take the train to Ardrossan and pick up our rental bikes just before 5:30pm. Then take the 6 pm by ferry to the Isle of Arran. The ferry journey takes just under an hour. Our accommodations shall be a short walk from the harbour.
Please note that all accommodations on the islands, though rated as 3 stars, are of a simple, homey, B&B nature.
(Included: breakfast, train ticket to Ardrossan, rental bikes, ferry ticket, dinner)
June 26th: Brodick South Island Loop; 34 miles
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 with 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 Buddist 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 centre of the island. This day is hillier than other days and does involve some short steep climbs.
(Included: breakfast, lunch, ferry ticket, dinner,)
June 27th: Brodick–Lochranza–Cloanaig–Kennocraig—Isle of Islay; 20-23 miles
A day to cycle and relax on ferries. You cycle north, firstly on a flat section of five miles before climbing over to Lochranza. If you have time visit the ruined castle and then catch the ferry to Cloanaig (carry own luggage onto the ferry). Then it is back on your bike for the short ride across the Kintyre peninsula to catch your second ferry from Kennacraig to Port Askaig on Island of Islay (carry own luggage onto the ferry). This two-hour ferry crossing passing some stunning coastal scenes. The fast flowing Sound of Islay, the waterway between Islay and Jura is a great habitat for whales and dolphins. Once on Islay we normally stay in Ballygrant a few miles inland.
(Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, ferry ticket.)
June 28th: Day Trip to Isle of Jura; distance varies up to 50 miles
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 5,000 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.
(Included: breakfast, lunch dinner, ferry ticket)
June 29th: Port Askaig to Port Ellen/Bowmore Surroundings; 36-43 miles
Today you will explore by bike the northwest 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 where you shall find Kilchoman distillery just before a wonderful sandy beach, ideal for a picnic, pass the wildlife centre, rural life museum or RSPB centre then cycle the quiet lanes south to either Port Ellen or Bowmore.
(Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
June 30th: Isle of Islay South Coast; 22-34 miles
Today there are a few options, for whisky lovers, heaven has arrived in Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. If you are staying in Bowmore first you cycle to Port Ellen or you may decide to stay in Bowmore and visit the Bowmore distillery which has been refining whisky for over 240 years. For those wanting to cycle further, 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.
(Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
July 1st: Departure Bowmore/Port Ellen to Arran. On to Glasgow; 23-30 miles
After breakfast, you will take the 9.45 am ferry from Port Ellen to Kennacraig (carry your own luggage onto the ferry). If you stayed in Bowmore you shall first have the cycle ride to Port Ellen. Once in Kennacraig, it’s back on your bike to cycle across the Kintyre peninsula to Cloanaig. Then it is back on the ferry to the Island of Arran (carry your own luggage onto the ferry) and your last cycle ride to Brodick this time along the not yet explored northwest coastline, where you shall catch the ferry around 7:20 back to Ardrossan where you shall hand back your bikes just around 8.15 pm. From Ardrossan, there is a train service which leaves after each ferry arrival back to Glasgow.
Train to Glasgow and on to an airport hotel.
(Included: breakfast, lunch, ferry ticket, train ticket)
July 2nd: Fly out of Glasgow
We will use the hotel’s transport to get to the airport for our individual flights.
To sign up for the trip, click here.
