Region Overviews: Scotland Travel Guide: Overview
Scotland is a notoriously magical place, where rumors of faeries and the Loch Ness Monster abound, and once you arrive, it’s easy to see why.
Biking
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Scotland Bike Tour
Edinburgh, St. Andrews & Scottish Castles
Beyond the United Kingdom's provincial charm of stone cottages and country lanes, discover a place where the land still feels wild. Where relentless waves pound a craggy coastline and mist-shrouded mountains plunge into deep valleys harboring secluded lochs and magical woodlands. Where ruined castles and stone villages hint at the centuries of human history here, but you still have the sense you're the first to experience it.
THIS ITINERARY: 6 days, 5 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels
FROM:
$5,399 - $5,699 pp dbl occ
($1,400 for sgl occ)
Scotland Bike Map
Scotland
Start/End Edinburgh
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Soak in the bucolic beauty and rich maritime history as you pedal across the ancient Kingdom of Fife
- Stay in elegant castles and country estates where five-star R&R includes high tea, fine dining and Scotch tasting
- Cycle the Highlands' dramatic landscape of misty bens, glens and moors, dotted with remote lochs
- Extend your trip to discover World Heritage-designated Edinburgh, Scotland's enchanting capital since the 1500s
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Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Day 1
Discover the East Neuk region of the Fife Peninsula, where maritime history runs deep in quaint fishing villages and harbors | Enjoy local fare at a country estate that has been in the Erskine family since the 17th century | Savor views of the wild coastline and world-famous St. Andrews Old Course while enjoying an award-winning meal at our elegant hotel.
Old Course Hotel
St. Andrews
| Premiere Hotel One of Scotland's leading hotels, the refined and elegant Old Course overlooks West Sands Beach and St. Andrews's world-famous golf course. (pool, spa)
Days 2-3
Pedal through the pastoral Angus countryside, passing the world's largest hedge | Cycle across rolling heathered moors and past wooded glens, admiring the soaring bens of Perthshire | Stop in historic Dunkeld and explore the summer home of Beatrix Potter | Award-winning fine dining and a delightful spa await at our loch-side hotel in beautiful Pitlochry | Perhaps savor a dram of single-malt Scotch before retiring to your castle quarters.
Fonab Castle Hotel & Spa
Pitlochry
| Premiere Hotel A loch-side Highland castle tucked into the Tummel Valley, offering award-winning fine dining and a luxurious spa. (pool, spa)
Days 4-6
The Cairngorms Highlands offer up challenging terrain, if you're in the mood for hills | Follow the fragrant swaths of heather through the spittal of Glenshee | Spin along remote country roads, eventually returning to civilization upon reaching the delightful village of Braemar | Settle into Fife Arms, a stunning and luxurious boutique hotel that was once home to Queen Victoria | Embark on a two-wheeled journey along the River Dee, keeping an eye out for Queen Elizabeth's beautiful Balmoral Castle | Enjoy high tea, fine cuisine and the finer things in life at Fife Arms, where the era of decadent country house living is reinvented | Edinburgh is a great place to extend your vacation.
Fife Arms
Braemar
| Premiere Hotel Surrounded by beautiful landscape and famous for hosting royals, this stunning landmark hotel honors its history through décor and celebrates the arts with over 14,000 works adorning its every corner. (spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
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Activity Level: 2-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do. LEARN MORE.
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike
A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
NEW! Electric-Assist Bike
Our newly redesigned titanium e-bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Cannondale Synapse Pro Carbon Bike
Carbon Bike
Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Red ETAP AXS. Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package—it’s built for hard-core riders.
$400 rental fee
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem Bike
Tandem Bike
This hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed cro-moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train, and a custom, upgraded wheelset. For experienced tandem riders.
$400 rental fee
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
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