Tastes and Trails of Scotland (trip)

Tastes and Trails of Scotland

  • Inverness Airport, Scotland, United Kingdom
  • Active & Adventure
Highlands
, Scotland, Europe

from $1,650* per person8 DaysMay, June
Boutique accommodations Exertion level: 5
Operator: Highlands and Islands Adventures 12 people max
If you’re looking for a mountain bike adventure tour that’s a little bit special and combines the most beautiful landscapes of the Scottish Highlands with excellent local food, drink and hospitality, our new ‘Tastes and Trails of Scotland’ adventure tour is for you.

You’ll experience some of the more remote, and off-the-beaten-track corners of the west coast – not just by bike – but by steam train, boat, car and on foot, ensuring that you get to soak up as much of the culture and natural beauty of Scotland as possible.

You’ll taste the best Highland produce, including world-renowned seafood, delicious local meat and cheeses, and, of course, the finest Scottish whiskies.

Highlights of the tour include a ride on the Jacobite Express steam train, made famous in the Harry Potter movies, and voted by National Geographic magazine as one of the best train journeys in the world, and lunch at the Michelin-starred Kinloch Lodge on Skye.

You will enjoy a warm Highland welcome in 3-star and 4-star guest house accommodation, where you will be able to relax and unwind after your exciting days exploring the Highlands of Scotland.

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Locations visited/nearby

Highlands , Scotland, Europe

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, Highlands and Islands Adventures:

  • Reviewer: Mr F. Mayland located in Halifax, England
    With all the accommodation and routes provided, pleasant pace to the riding with lots of stops to admire the views and chat, this was one of our best ever mountain bike trips. Euan is very easy to get along with despite his links with mountain biking royalty
    .
    We saw as many deer on the trails as people!

  • Reviewer: Mr D. Bader located in Liebeggerweg, Switzerland
    I really enjoyed the holiday. A bit of adventure, nice landscape and challenging bike trips. Refreshing rainshowers. And at last a really nice guide.


  • Reviewer: Mr A. Leo located in Rome, Italy
    I came from south italy to enjoy a great adventure in scotland, it was possible by H&I Adventures. thank you Euaun and Catherine.



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Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival day and bike preparation

You’ll be welcomed by our guide at Inverness airport (or train station) at around noon, and then transferred to Laggan Wolftrax, the north of Scotland’s best mountain bike trail centre, to tune bikes and have a quick ride.

We will stay in a luxurious B&B in the village of Laggan, famous for its use of locally-sourced and fair trade produce, and its impressive green credentials.

Day 2 – Seafood and steam power

On the first day of your adventure tour we will transfer to Fort William for a walk in Glen Nevis, at the foot of the UK’s highest mountain, before settling down to lunch in a seafood restaurant.

After lunch we catch Harry Potter’s train, the Jacobite Express, to Mallaig, voted one of the best train rides in the world by National Geographic magazine. We will stay in the coastal village of Arisaig tonight.

Day 3 – Sands of Morar and Arisaig

We will mountain bike along the coast to a hilltop bothy (mountain hut) located 100m above a stunning secluded bay looking out to the Isle of Skye.

Once we have finished exploring we’ll walk around the beach, have a picnic lunch of local produce, and cycle back to our accommodation. On return we’ll freshen up, then go for a coastal walk or relax on the white sandy beaches of Morar, then back to Arisaig for dinner.

Day 4 – Over the sea to Skye

Today we’ll catch the ferry from Mallaig to the Isle of Skye. When we arrive at the village of Armadale we go for a woodland wildlife walk, before straying further along the coastline to the famous Kinloch Lodge, and our Michelin-starred lunch.

After lunch we will go for an easy afternoon ride to get a panoramic view of the red and black Cuillin mountains. Then we’ll transfer to our accommodation in Portree.

Day 5 – Walking and whisky tasting

This morning we’ll head north for a walk up round the Old Man of Storr, and its ‘Lord of the Rings’ landscape. On returning to Portree we’ll have lunch at a local café, before going to the Talisker distillery in the heart of the island for a tour and tasting. We’ll then transfer to the mainland fishing village of Plockton.

Day 6 – Applecross peninsula

After a relaxed breakfast we’ll pedal across the peninsula and back around the coast again on a lovely morning ride that will have you ready for your lunch on the shores of Loch Carron. Once lunch has settled we’ll embark on a fantastic seal and dolphin watching cruise around to Applecross, before returning to Plockton for another night.

Day 7 – Loch Ness

We will head inland to the banks of Loch Ness, stopping off at Eilean Donan Castle for a tour and refreshments on the way, then continue through Glen Sheil and on to our accommodation for the night at Glen Garry.

From our hotel we can bike along the Great Glen Way to Fort Augustus for our chance to see Loch Ness and the canal locks at Fort Augustus.

Day 8 – Departure day

We will spend the morning packing the bikes, organising your luggage and transport you back to Inverness for around noon to say our farewells at the end of an unforgettable mountain bike adventure tour in Scotland.

More information from Highlands and Islands Adventures: