Scottish Highlands Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
Scottish Highlands Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 1-2
Premiere Hotels
2025: May-Sep2026: May-Sep
Edinburgh, St Andrews & Medieval Castles
Beyond Scotland's provincial charm of stone cottages and country lanes, discover a place where the land still feels wild. Deep valleys reveal secluded lochs and magical woodlands, and heathered moors lead to atmospheric hotels. The 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.
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 warm Scottish hospitality and fine dining
- Experience traditional high tea and a special Scotch tasting
- Cycle through picturesque villages and rolling farmlands of the Lowlands and the misty bens and heather moors of the Highlands
- Extend your trip to discover World Heritage-designated Edinburgh, Scotland's enchanting capital since the 1500s
Start/End Edinburgh
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Day 1
Discover the East Neuk region of the Fife Peninsula, where maritime history runs deep in quaint fishing villages and harbors • Sample 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.
Night 1
One of Scotland’s leading hotels, the refined and elegant Old Course overlooks West Sands Beach and St Andrews’ world-famous golf course. (pool, spa)
Days 2-3
Bike 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 • Take in the quintessential lochs, valleys and mountains of the Scottish Highlands • Fans of the show Outlander may recognize some of the dramatic places we pass in the shadow of Schiehallion, an isolated 3,500-foot mountain known as a Munro after the notable mountaineer, Sir Hugh Munro • Award-winning fine dining and a spa await at our loch-side hotel in beautiful Pitlochry • Perhaps savor a dram of single-malt Scotch before retiring to your well-appointed room.
Nights 2-3
A loch-side Highland retreat tucked into the Tummel Valley, offering modern rooms, award-winning fine dining and a luxurious spa. (pool, spa)
Days 4-6
If you’re in the mood for hills, the highlands offer up a challenging but thrilling ride—or opt for an easygoing spin along the River Tay • Pedal along remote country roads • Embark on a two-wheeled journey through Glen Devon and the Ochil Hills, keeping an eye out for a hilltop monument honoring 13th-century Scottish hero, William Wallace • Experience once again why the stunning Perthshire countryside is the setting for some of the finest cycling tours in Scotland • Edinburgh is a great place to extend your vacation.
Nights 4-5
An intimate boutique hotel housed in a traditional country estate owned by Scottish tennis phenom Andy Murray.
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Talking about the weather is a national pastime in Scotland, where the climate is famously unpredictable and dramatic. Summers are generally mild but can change rapidly due to its northern latitude, maritime climate and mountainous landscape. Microclimates can bring sun, wind, fog, sleet and rain—all in the same day (or even the same hour!). Some days may be cold and rainy from morning until night, while an unexpected heatwave can send temperatures soaring. Be sure to pack warm layers and waterproof gear for each day of your trip.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Night 1
Premiere Hotel
One of Scotland’s leading hotels, the refined and elegant Old Course overlooks West Sands Beach and St Andrews’ world-famous golf course. (pool, spa)
Nights 2-3
Premiere Hotel
A loch-side Highland retreat tucked into the Tummel Valley, offering modern rooms, award-winning fine dining and a luxurious spa. (pool, spa)
Nights 4-5
Premiere Hotel
An intimate boutique hotel housed in a traditional country estate owned by Scottish tennis phenom Andy Murray.
Gallery
#MyBackroadsTrip
Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Included in your trip price
- Ideal for avid cyclists
- Redesigned for 2024
- Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
- Responsive, efficient and comfortable
- Drop handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- Suited for a wide range of cyclists
- Comfortable ergonomic seat
- Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
- Upright handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- One of the lightest e-bikes available
- Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
- Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
- Upright handlebars only
- Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours; learn more
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 11 customers
Don't miss this trip!
This was a fantastic trip from start to finish. The Backroads team was amazing and every aspect was beautifully arranged. We cycled close to 50 miles a day with wonderful lunch stops and breaks. Not difficult with the e-bikes!! Accommodations were premier, as promised. I loved Scotland so very much!
Wonderful Experience in a Beautiful Setting
Everything about this trip was great. The hotels were magnificent, especially the castles and lodges. The leaders were the absolute best. They were there to address any need and provide lots of encouragement as well as information about the locale and local culture. The whisky tasting, bagpipe demonstration and Highland Games were added bonuses, which Backroads seems to add to every trip. You will not go away hungry either. I didn't associate Scotland with good cuisine but I was more than pleasantly surprised with the food.
Trip of a Lifetime
This was an amazing adventure led by the most articulate, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable leaders. Beautiful scenery, posh hotels, five-star cuisine and fantastic cultural enrichment presentations. Top notch all the way.
Fabulous leaders, terrific routes, wonderful bicycle
My husband and I had a wonderful trip. Our leaders were remarkable: attentive, responsive, energetic, creative, dedicated and deeply appreciative of the region we were biking in. The hotels were magnificent, our meals delicious. The speakers were engaging and memorable.
Our biking trip to Scotland was a dream come true
From the expert, fabulous leaders to the wonderful routes and excellent hotels, our trip could not have been better in any way. Every moment was so perfect and we feel so lucky to have experienced Backroads. It is everything and more than anything you have heard or read!
Fabulous trip -- even in the rain
We had the bad luck to take this trip during the rainiest summer in the UK in about 25 years, we were told. Yet the great leaders stayed upbeat and positive and made adjustments on-the-fly. Their mood was infectious and our group stayed upbeat and cheerful, even when sopping wet! The itinerary was very well thought-out -- the rides varied from small villages, to a coastal path to the Yorkshire moors and dales. The stops and the "extra" experiences (falconry, bagpipes, etc) added a lot. Hotels are magnificent -- some of the best I've ever stayed in.
Inspiring experience!
Our trip far exceeded our expectations. The scenery was incredible, leaders were fun, helpful and gave us confidence. We learned so much about the culture of the area. Can't wait to go on another trip!
Wonderful TRIP
Cheers to Keith, Charlotte and Corey, our amazing guides. We loved every minute of this trip. The scenery, our accommodations, the delicious food, Fin, Kyle, and Gomez. We enjoyed getting to know the people in our group, and appreciated all the effort that went into this awesome adventure.
Breathtaking vistas, delicious food and so much fun!
What an incredibly wonderful trip! The rides were lovely. The accommodations and food WAY exceeded our expectations. The bikes were perfect, the guides were out of this world and we loved every minute!
Outstanding Trip
We were fortunate too be able to join this Scotland/Highlands bike tour at the last minute, when our Netherlands/Belgium trip was unexpectedly cancelled in early September due to COVID. Backroads was able to accommodate us and provided us with great rides and cultural experiences and activities during the trip. And fine dining experiences, did I mention the good food? :)
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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