http://snyderartdesign.com/teen-street-art-workshop/ 'This was a fabulous, active holiday, where we enjoyed Scotland's spectacular scenery and wildlife, learned from our guides about the habitat and social history and enjoyed the local food and drink on offer in a variety of picnic spots, pubs and restaurants'... Pamela Duncan 13/09/2016
Scotland Experiences
Isle of Skye and the Inner Hebrides
Itinerary
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Island Hopping through Mull, Iona and Skye on this easy graded road cycling adventure. This self guided plus bike trip explores the islands on quiet country roads and brings lots of opportunity for cultural encounters, great landscape and stunning island scenery
Inner Hebrides ~ Isles of Skye ~ Mull ~ Iona
7 Days/ 6 Nights Self Guided Plus Bike Tour
From £1595 per person sharing * based on 4 persons
Trip Details
Our Skye and Inner Hebrides self guided bike tour is the ideal way to explore the iconic Scottish isles by bike. Take time to soak in the atmosphere of these wild and dramatic landscapes.
Watch the stunning views unfold as you journey from the Isle of Mull, through the wilds of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and on to the fabled Isle of Skye.
This truly exciting bike trip offers the best rides from place to place, stopping to explore and appreciate places of natural beauty, cultural interest and wildlife sightings. Our carefully chosen accommodation will welcome you at the end of the day. As always you will enjoy the finest Scottish ingredients in your meals – especially the bounty of the sea on this island hopping trip.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Northwest Mull
We will meet at the Oban ferry, you will cross on the ferry to the Isle of Mull. Enjoy the views over the Sound of Mull. On the island, we will undertake a bike check to get everything set up correctly before your first day of riding. Today it is a shorter ride to get warmed up, following a gorgeous coastal road to our accommodation in the village of Dervaig. Here you will spend the next two nights at the oldest inn on Mull. Enjoy local fare of award winning cheese, local ales and island malts as well as home made desserts.
Distance: 24 miles / 38km Ascent: 1183 ft
Day 2: Cycling to Iona & the Isle of Mull
Today you transfer to Fionnphort where you board a ferry for the short trip across to Iona. Famed for its monastic history dating back to 563AD, you get to explore the beautiful village and wonderful Iona Abbey, which has roots older than Scotland itself. Afterwards transfer back to Mull for our cycle. We’ll follow the coast alongside Loch Scridain towards to the small village of Pennyghael , where we pick up a single track road under the shadow of Ben More, the highest mountain on the Island. After our ride we will have some time to explore some beautiful white shell sand beaches. (B)
Distance: 35 miles / 56 km Ascent 1702 ft
Museum of Island Life, Skye
Day 3: The Ardnamurchan Peninsula
Today you head to the colourful town of Tobermory and board the ferry across the Sound of Mull to Ardnamurchan – a wild peninsula of the mainland. Back on dry land, the only way is east. You will follow the peaceful and undulating single track roads through the peninsula, watching the views of hills, sea and lochs gradually unfold in this beautiful wilderness. Your destination tonight is the little hamlet of Acharacle, overlooking scenic Loch Shiel. (B)
Distance: 27.8 miles / 43 km Ascent: 2322 ft
Day 4: The Isle of Skye Via the Road to the Isles
Your journey today follows a classic Scottish route past the Sound of Arisaig before joining The Road to The Isles. The road is winding, almost car-free and beautiful. Passing many gorgeous beaches, we suggest you stop at a local smokehouse to stock up on fish, meats and cheeses for your picnic lunch. After reaching Mallaig you embark on the ferry to cross to the Isle of Skye and transfer to our hotel in Portree. This will be your base for the next 3 nights. (B)
Distance: 35 miles / 56 km Ascent: 2869 ft
Day 5: Isle of Raasay and Calum’s Road
This morning you ride to the village of Broadford and transfer to the village of Sconser, From here, it is a short hop to the Island of Raasay, located between Skye and the Applecross Peninsula. Here you cycle on the quiet single track roads, passing through the famous “Calum’s Road”, built almost single-handedly by Calum MacLeod between the mid 1960s and the mid 1970s, with hand tools. In the afternoon you can explore the famous Trotternish peninsula and take in some of Skye’s most iconic sights such as the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing. Two night stay on the Isle of Skye. (B)
Distance: 21 miles / 34km Ascent: 2,788 ft
Glameig from the Isle of Raalsay Distillery (c) Isle of Raasay Distillery
Day Six – Dunvegan Castle and Western Skye
This morning we set out with a ride to ancient Dunvegan Castle on the west of Skye. Delve deep into Scottish history by taking a tour of this ancestral stronghold of the Clan McLeod. Have lunch at a local cafe and then ride the final stage of your trip. This will take you to Neist Point, the most westerly point on Skye. Stunning views of the Outer Hebrides. Transfer back to Portree to enjoy a final evening meal and a wee dram! (B)
Distance: 43 miles / 67 km Ascent: 3,160 ft
Day 7: Return to Inverness
After breakfast we head back to Inverness, stopping for a photo opportunity at Eileen Donan Castle to break up the journey. (B)
What’s Included?
Included in this trip are:
- 6 nights accommodation in 3* and 4* hotels/ inns/guest houses on a B&B basis
- Meals stated in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- A support vehicle/driver throughout the trip to offer guidance, local insights, bike support, directional aid, etc.
- All ferry transport and local boat services
- Entrance and admission fees as stated in the itinerary
- Daily luggage transfers
- Welcome briefing and bike fit out on Day 1
What’s not included?
Bike hire is not included in the cost of this tour. Most of our clients choose to hire bikes but you are more than welcome to bring your own.
The bikes we use are brand new each season and maintained to the highest standards. You can choose between:
Trek FX Sport 4 Hybride Bike: £175
Trek Checkpoint ALR 5:£175
Trek Verve +:£300
Dates and Pricing
The trip price starts at £1095 per person sharing based on 6-8 persons. For 4 persons the trip price is £1,595 per person sharing. Contact us at tours@cyclewest.com for more details / pricing.
There is a Single Supplement of £450 for single occupancy on this trip and is subject to availability.
Trip price does not include bike hire. For bikes, see pricing above.
Helpful Notes
Difficulty level
This trip has been designed for active people who like cycling but are looking for a trip that is easy going with mostly flat terrain. It is suitable for people new to cycle touring and looking for a different way to explore the country. Most days the itinerary is very relaxed and you can spend plenty of time exploring the natural and cultural history of the area as well as enjoying long lunches in some great locations. Distances typically range from 25-35 miles each day with possibly one or two slightly longer days between key stages of the itinerary. The terrain is generally flat with one or two short climbs.
