Scotland Cycle Tour
1st Visit
1 - 11 November 2024
1 - 11 November 2024
Tour Overview
18 July - 1 August 2025
18 July - 1 August 2025
The lads discover whiskey
Fern, Braz, Blackie and myself met at London Euston station on the Friday evening. We boarded the overnight train to Scotland and stored our bicycles; our adventure had began.
Day 1: 19 July: Tyndrum to Oban
The train pulled into Tyndrum at around 8am. It had been a long night; sitting upright and changing trains in Edinburgh. However, we unloaded our bikes and found the nearest cafe.
The train pulled into Tyndrum at around 8am. It had been a long night; sitting upright and changing trains in Edinburgh. However, we unloaded our bikes and found the nearest cafe.
Our first of many Scottish breakfasts.
We cycled on pleasant day to Oban. Mainly downhill so an easy introductory cycle. Nice B&B on water front of Oban.
We cycled on pleasant day to Oban. Mainly downhill so an easy introductory cycle. Nice B&B on water front of Oban.
Cycled: 60.3k, 415m climb
Day 2: 20 July: Oban to Castlebay
We stocked up on food and took the ferry to Castlebay on the Isle of Barra (1). The weather was perfect and we made a very beautiful cycle to Vatersay island (2) to see cows on the beach. This is the offcial starting point of the Hebridean Way; see map.
Cycled: 19.2 km, 267m climb
We stocked up on food and took the ferry to Castlebay on the Isle of Barra (1). The weather was perfect and we made a very beautiful cycle to Vatersay island (2) to see cows on the beach. This is the offcial starting point of the Hebridean Way; see map.
Cycled: 19.2 km, 267m climb
Day 3: 21 July: Castlebay to Grimsay
Once the fog cleared the ferry took us to Eriskay island (3); famed for the Whiskey Galore event. We then cycled across South Uist (4) and Benbecula (5) and reached Grimsay (6) via causeways.
Cycled: 82.1 km, 543m climb
Once the fog cleared the ferry took us to Eriskay island (3); famed for the Whiskey Galore event. We then cycled across South Uist (4) and Benbecula (5) and reached Grimsay (6) via causeways.
Cycled: 82.1 km, 543m climb
Day 4: 22 July: Grimsay to Berneray
Breakfast at the fishing port then a cycle across North Uist (7) and finishing in Berneray (8).
Cycled: 60.3 km, 472m climb
Breakfast at the fishing port then a cycle across North Uist (7) and finishing in Berneray (8).
Cycled: 60.3 km, 472m climb
Day 5: 23 July: Berneray to Drinisiader
The ferry took us to the Isle of Harris (9). First wet day. Stayed in a delightful bunk house. Fern and Blackie explored on bikes whilst I treated myself to a Harris tweed jack and drank whiskey with Braz.
Cycled: 31.7 km, 637m climb
The ferry took us to the Isle of Harris (9). First wet day. Stayed in a delightful bunk house. Fern and Blackie explored on bikes whilst I treated myself to a Harris tweed jack and drank whiskey with Braz.
Cycled: 31.7 km, 637m climb
Day 6: 24 July: Drinisiader to Carisiader
A big cycle day. We were a bit worried with the climb out of Talbot but it went well. The entry into Isle of Lewis (10) was a small bridge, not actually another island. We made it to the Otter Bunkhouse; alas no otters.
Cycled: 90.8 km, 1166m climb
A big cycle day. We were a bit worried with the climb out of Talbot but it went well. The entry into Isle of Lewis (10) was a small bridge, not actually another island. We made it to the Otter Bunkhouse; alas no otters.
Cycled: 90.8 km, 1166m climb
Day 7: 25 July: Carisiader to Gearrannan
Tough cycle to Mangersta sea stack but sun came out and beautiful. Visited Callanish stones and made it to blackhouse village. Stayed in cosy blackhouse, cooked a big pasta dish and drank whiskey before the roaring fire. Wonderful.
Cycled: 71.9 km, 952m climb
Tough cycle to Mangersta sea stack but sun came out and beautiful. Visited Callanish stones and made it to blackhouse village. Stayed in cosy blackhouse, cooked a big pasta dish and drank whiskey before the roaring fire. Wonderful.
Cycled: 71.9 km, 952m climb
Day 8: 26 July: Gearrannan to Stornoway
Made it to the Butt of Lewis and completed the Hebridean way. Very enjoyable. Then tough cycle into wind to the capital of the Outer Hebrides, Stornoway.
Cycled: 94.2 km, 1051m climb
Made it to the Butt of Lewis and completed the Hebridean way. Very enjoyable. Then tough cycle into wind to the capital of the Outer Hebrides, Stornoway.
Cycled: 94.2 km, 1051m climb
Day 9: 27 July: Stornoway to Uig, Isle of Skye
A rest day. Fern & I explored Stornoway then took a taxi to Talbot and we all caught the ferry to Uig.
A rest day. Fern & I explored Stornoway then took a taxi to Talbot and we all caught the ferry to Uig.
Day 10: 28 July: Uig to Carbost
We took a backroad and had a very scenic ride on a sunny day.
Cycled: 51.2 km, 728m climb
We took a backroad and had a very scenic ride on a sunny day.
Cycled: 51.2 km, 728m climb
Day 11: 29 July: Carbost to Kyleakin
The day started with a tour of the Talisker distillery; I had 3 shorts which resulted in a happy days cycling.
Cycled: 51.0 km, 484m climb
The day started with a tour of the Talisker distillery; I had 3 shorts which resulted in a happy days cycling.
Cycled: 51.0 km, 484m climb
Day 12: 30 July: Kyleakin to Mallaig
A quick sprint down to Armadale where we caught the ferry to the mainland at Mallaig. We then cycled to Arisaig and had a fun time watching the highland games.
Cycled: 63.5 km, 781m climb
A quick sprint down to Armadale where we caught the ferry to the mainland at Mallaig. We then cycled to Arisaig and had a fun time watching the highland games.
Cycled: 63.5 km, 781m climb
Day 13: 31 July: Mallaig to Fort William
Delighful days cycling. Stopped at Glenfinnan and watched the 'Harry Potter' train cross the impressive viaduct. That evening we boarded the overnight train to London. A very successful tour organised by Fern.
Cycled: 70.5 km, 815m climb
Delighful days cycling. Stopped at Glenfinnan and watched the 'Harry Potter' train cross the impressive viaduct. That evening we boarded the overnight train to London. A very successful tour organised by Fern.
Cycled: 70.5 km, 815m climb