West Coast Whisky Bike Tour

West Coast Whisky Trail

Trip Highlights

Cycling the best of Scottish Islands: the Isle of Arran, Islay island and the whisky island of Jura,
Enjoy world class whisky
Explore the Mull of Kinture
Visit the third largest whirlpool in the world

An unforgettable cycling holiday.
Arran ~ Islay ~ Jura

7 days/ 6 nights Classic Guided Bike Tour
From £2,195 per person sharing

INTRODUCTION
Our West Coast Whisky Trail bike tour takes you through three of Scotland’s most beautiful islands: the isles of Arran, Islay and Jura. Enjoy a tutored whisky tasting including samples fresh from the cask. Experience a guided Rib trip to the world famous Corryvreckan Whirlpool. Throughout the week you will enjoy rides on the Isles of Arran, Jura and Islay. Included also is a crossing of the Mull of Kintyre. At the end of the tour you can enjoy time in Glasgow. At the end of each day, relax in hand chosen accommodations with wonderful. Enjoy local food, ales and whiskies, providing an authentic taste of the islands.

Day 1: Scotland in Miniature
Meet and greet in Glasgow for the start of your West Coast Whisky Trail. From which we depart to the west coast. Here we catch the ferry from Ardrossan to the Isle of Arran. Arran is often described as “Scotland in Miniature”. It has the Highland-Lowland dividing line running through the middle of the Island. This divides the wild, unspoiled, mountainous north, dominated by the peak of Goat Fell, and the forest, farmland and resorts of the south.

The crossing through the Firth of Clyde takes 55 minutes. Then we arrive into the main village of Brodick. On arrival we will make the short transfer to our accommodation for the next two nights. Following lunch we will spend some time fine tuning the bikes and ensuring everyone is set up for weeks riding. After a short ride, there will be time to enjoy the leisure facilities at the hotel. These include a swimming pool, sauna and steam room to help relax before a welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Brodick on the Isle of Arran. (L,D)

Day2: Castles, Crags and Caves
Today’s bike route will take us around the southern half of Arran. The day is jam packed with island scapes and the coastline. In additiona, we will be treated to great views across to Kinytyre and back to the mainland. Commencing in Lamlash we head south through Whiting Bay, and on to the south side of the island. We stop at a local ‘Velo Cafe’ before turning North again. The island is full of points of interest, such as caves, ancient standing stones, castles and crags. Also, you will have stunning coastal vistas to the mainland. There will be time to explore the picturesque villages before arriving back to Brodick and back to Lamlash. This evening we will enjoy a well deserved dinner at the hotel. (B, L)

Daily Distance: 41 miles/65 km

Day 3: Island Hopping
This mornings ride skirts by Goat Fell, the highest peak on Arran standing at 874 metres (2,866 ft) to the village of Lochranza and its ruined castle. We have two short ferry crossings: a short ferry crossing takes us to Kintyre Peninsula. The second ferry from Kennacriag to Islay is a voyage of exploration. It takes 2 hours, whisking us past the Isle of Ghia and through the Sound of Jura, where we can look out for minkie whales, dolphins and basking sharks. On arrival in Port Askaig, we will hop back on the bikes and ride towards our accommodation and base for the next two nights. (B,L)
Daily Distance: 36.2 miles/52 km

Day 4: Wildlife and Whisky
This morning we transfer to the coastal village of Portnahaven, following the west coast of the island to Port Charlotte. A picturesque ride, with views of Orsay Island. Picnic lunch overlooking the sea. Back on the bikes we start to ride back to our accommodation at Brigend via Loch Gruinart, where we can stop off to visit the small RSPB Center where they relate the importance of Islay to many bird species such as migrating geese, corn rake, lapwing and hen harrier. (B,L)

Daily Distance: 38.8 miles/62 km

Day 5: Island Hopping
Today will be a short day of riding on Islay’s quiet country roads. Setting off from Port Ellen, we reach the Coast once more and turn left, following the road along the Whisky Coast. We pass the island’s 3 famous distilleries of Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. Following on, we reach the Kildalton Cross, a monolithic Celtic Cross. From here, we ride back to Ardbeg fir lunch in the cafe before spending the afternoon enjoying a tutored whisky tasting. Afterward, we transfer back to Brigend. (B, L)

Distance: 45-65km/ 30-40 miles depending on which distilleries you choose to visit

Day 6: Jura and The Corryvreckan Whirlpool
This morning we transfer the short distance to Port Askaig, where we board the passenger ferry. We cross the fast flowing Sound of Islay and reaching the Jura in a little over five minutes. We follow the eastern coastline of the Island watching out for red deer and the many Iron Age Forts, ancient burial grounds and standing stones as we bike along the east coast of the Island towards the main village of Craighouse.

The highlight of the afternoon is when we load up the bikes and take a private boat trip to visit the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, the third largest whirlpool in the world. From here the boat takes us back to the mainland, where there is an option to cycle the last few miles back to our hotel, set in 17 acres of gardens and beach overlooking the coast. Farewell dinner tonight and perhaps a dram to celebrate a fantastic week of Island hopping. (B,L,D)

Daily Distance: 36 miles/57 km

Day 7: Return to Glasgow
Sadly, to day we bid you farewell. After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel there will be time for a short walk around the neighbouring Arduannie Gardens. The gardens are run and maintained by the National Trust for Scotland and benefit form the warming effect of the North Atlantic drift. Due to the proximity to the sea, this allows the cultivation of many rare and tender plants from around the world. Our journey back to Glasgow will take us around 2 hours 45 minutes, passing through Inverary and Loch Fyne, where we can stop at the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar and Deli for a bite to eat before returning to Glasgow. (B)

Contact us to book your tour: tours@cyclewest.com

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What’s Included?
7 days professional guiding with lead guide plus assistant guide/support driver
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)
Vehicle transport throughout including ride support and luggage transfers
All ferry transport and local boat services
Entrance and admission fees as stated in the
itinerary
Ride snacks, home baking and drinks
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What’s not included?
Bike Hire:

Road Bikes: £175.00 per hire – Trek Checkpoint ALR5
Hybrid: Trek fx Sport 4: £175.00 per hire
e-Bike: Trek Verve + : £300.00
Bike rental includes bike computer, compact handlebar bag plus a saddle bag with spare tube and tools, helmets and water bottles are included. Helmets and water bottles are 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 from 3 different types of bike, each of which is available for anyone of our road cycling holidays and come in a full range of sizes to fit every rider.

Single Supplement

There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you require a single room please request this at the time of booking and we will check availability for you.

Dates and Pricing
PRICE: from £2195 per person sharing

Bike rental extra (see bike rates under ‘what is not included’ above)

2023 DATES

13th May – 19th May – 8 places remaining
17th June – 23rd June – 8 places remaining
8th July – 14th July – 8 places remaining
29th July – 4th August – 8 places remaining
2nd Sept – 8th Sept – 8 places remaining

Helpful Notes
EQUIPMENT
For this trip you will to need to bring suitable gear for a 6 day road cycling trip. A full equipment list will be sent to you on booking.

GETTING THERE AND AWAY
You will be met by your guide at 11:00 on Day 1 of the trip at Glasgow Queen Street train station. We will return to Glasgow Queen
Street train station around 14:00 on Day 6

OUR TRIP STYLE
Our approach to road cycling holidays balances the best of both worlds – great guiding and insights when you would like it, alongside the freedom to explore at your pace. At breakfast each day, you will receive a guide briefing and detailed route notes for the day’s ride. Depending upon your preference, you can choose to ride with your guide or simply
follow the route notes and re-group at designated points along the way.

Typically our clients really enjoy the insights our guides are
able to provide into the nature, history and culture of Scotland.

Throughout the day your second guide and support vehicle will always be close to hand to provide drinks, snacks and a friendly ride should you need it. The support vehicle will take care of all of your luggage transferring it from hotel to hotel each day.