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Scotland Bike Tour

The Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness

Tour Duration

6D / 5N

Trip Style

Signature, Classic Guided

Rider Level

3

Hotel Level

Combined

Bikes

Trek Domane AL 5 Disc
Trek Electric-Assist Allant+ 6

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Starting from

$4,799.00 per person

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Experience Scotland's spectacular landscapes by bike where quiet roads and heather-clad mountains blend with the country's rich cultural heritage.

Venture into Scotland's captivating Highlands—starting from the picturesque Royal Deeside, home to the King’s Scottish residence, Balmoral Castle—and wind your way into the heart of Cairngorms National Park's untamed beauty. Navigate the shores of the legendary Loch Ness, ascend remote moors, and conquer steep, secluded roads. Surrounded by Scotland's awe-inspiring landscapes, your ride takes you through ancient forests, over heather-lined climbs, and into quaint stone villages. Delve into Scotland's rich history and vibrant culture with visits to castles and a traditional distillery. Nights bring rest and culinary delight with local, seasonal dishes in cozy accommodations. This adventure melds Scotland's wild scenery with unparalleled cycling, showcasing why it's a must-visit for cyclists.

Trip Wows
  • Explore the Scottish Highlands and learn about the area's rich history and culture with a local guide

  • Take a ride on a speedboat across the mysterious Loch Ness

  • Ride through the Cairngorms, Scotland's largest and most beautiful National Park

  • Enjoy a tour and whisky tasting at the intimate Royal Lochnagar Distillery

View of Loch Ness

Loch Ness

The famous lake that inspired tales of the Loch Ness monster

Urquhart Castle commands great views of Loch Ness and can be found beside the village of Drumnadrochit.


What Guests are Saying
Cycling couple with scenic rolling hills behind them

Well chosen routes, almost entirely off the beaten path. Fantastic lodging and food. Seamless service from our guides. I was not the fastest nor the most fit of our group, though did all but 1 segment of the avid rides available— was greeted like a Tour de France segment finisher each time =)) This was our honeymoon— we're active types. A little extra TLC and celebration extended to us, made us feel like family.

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Jenny, Ft. Collins, CO

Two cyclists riding on a driveway

The countryside of northern Scotland was beautiful. The roads were smooth and in general, lightly traveled by cars and trucks. I enjoyed the challenging hills and the wonderful guides who willingly answered all our questions about Scottish history and traditions

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Rod, IN

Cyclist waving the Scottish flag

The Scotland tour was amazing. Beautiful, quiet, scenic routes, just enough hills, fantastic guides and support.

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KC, Boston, MA


Cyclist riding with rolling hills in background

Great Ride

Ballater to Nethy Bridge

This ride is one for the memory books. Ride through Speyside’s Whisky Country and over one of Scotland's most famous climbs, The Lecht.


Dates & Pricing

Book early for the best price

  • Guaranteed

  • Join Waitlist

  • Private

  • Limited Availability


Itinerary
Rider Information

Hotels
Darroch Learg hotel view
Darroch Learg Hotel room Scotland
Darroch Learg Hotel guest bathroom
Darroch Learg Hotel atrium
Darroch Learg Hotel lobby area
Ballater, Scotland
Darroch Learg Hotel
Explorer

Nestled in the heart of Ballater, this beautifully renovated boutique hotel just recently recovered from a devastating fire, to the delight of locals and travelers alike. Family-run for over 60 years, they are well-known for their on-site restaurant with excellent food and charming views. The Franks family’s warm “Highland hospitality” will make you feel well-cared for from the moment you step inside.

...

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Double hotel bedroom with sofa and checkered carpet
Exterior of Kingsmill Hotel
Double bedroom at the Kingsmills hotel
Kingsmill Hotel restaurant
High tea sandwiches and petit fours
Inverness, Scotland
Kingsmills Hotel
Luxury

Kingsmills Hotel is a fabulous 4-star property in Inverness, the capital of the beautiful Scottish Highlands, which provides a luxury getaway. All rooms in this 18th century residency are spacious and elegantly furnished, boasting charming décor and an array of modern amenities to create a home-away-from-home ambiance. A leisure club includes an indoor pool along with a hot tub, fitness room, and sauna. The hotel restaurant overlooks landscaped gardens and offers impeccable hospitality and dining options to make your stay an unforgettable experience.

...

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The Lovat hotel room
The Lovat hotel lawn
The Lovat guest room suite
Fort Augustus, Scotland
The Lovat
Explorer

The Lovat is the only four-star, three-Rosette hotel in Loch Ness. This award-winning hotel is a short walk from the shores of the majestic and internationally famous loch. It has been fully upgraded in recent years with environmentally conscious additions to classic architecture stretching back to the 1860’s. You can expect comfortable rooms, stylish lounges and fantastic food from the 3AA Rosette restaurant. It’s a great place to stay for the final part of your Scotland journey.

...

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Bikes & Gear
Ride the Best Bikes in the Industry
Trek Domane AL 5 Disc Bike Road
Trek Domane AL 5 Disc

Trek’s latest innovation has led to the best aluminium bike on the road—a lightweight, stable, and technologically advanced machine to make every road seem smooth and easy while the disc brakes make stopping safe and secure. Ride confidently and comfortably for as long as you like, in the most beautiful British riding destinations.

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Trek Electric Assist Allant+ 6 E-Bike
Trek Electric-Assist Allant+ 6

The Trek Allant+ 6 is the perfect bike for our bike tours in the UK. Featuring the Bosch mid-drive motor, stable 45mm tires, and a lightweight aluminium frame, you will be enjoying the scenery with comfort and a nice consistent boost of power. The suspension seat post will take the edge off any bumps in the road and the Shimano disc brakes will stop you perfectly in any weather conditions. You’ll love the Trek Allant+ 6!

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Two cyclist and one rider

Trek Travel Guides

The World’s Best

From the moment you meet our guides, you'll understand the difference. You'll feel the genuine care they take to make your vacation perfect. From their expert support to sharing their favorite hidden spots, they tailor every moment to you.

Certified Guides

Additional Gear
  • Trek Travel Santini cycling jersey to keep
  • Trek Travel water bottles to keep
  • Cinch sack day bag to keep
  • Bontrager saddle
  • Bontrager helmet
  • Bontrager front and rear Flare R lights
  • Garmin Edge 1030 GPS computer with pre-loaded routes
  • Shimano SPD-SL road style pedals, Shimano SPD mountain style pedals, caged, or flat pedals
  • A flat pack containing a tube, levers, and a CO2 cartridge with inflator
  • For the most comfortable ride, we recommend you bring your own saddle. If you prefer, you can bring your own pedals and helmet on the trip and our guides will install your gear on the first day during your bike fit.
A collage of cycling gear guests will use on a Trek Travel Classic Bike Tour.

Trip Inclusions

Additional Details

Know Before You Go!

We want you to be fully prepared for your cycling vacation of a lifetime. This involves making sure that you choose the appropriate trip for you and that every aspect of your experience is flawless. Each Trek Travel trip is unique to ensure maximum enjoyment every time.

Your Trip Need to Knows:

  • Road conditions: Roads are in good condition, with little traffic. Be prepared to ride on wet surfaces due to potential rain. 
  • Packing: Layers! Layering is the best way to regulate your body temperature. This tried-and-true strategy is all about slipping layers on and off as your activity level or the weather changes. Rain gear is a must.
  • Look right and keep left! In Scotland, you cycle on the left side of the road along with traffic. Extra attention and caution are required as you ride, cross intersections, and enter traffic circles if this is the opposite side of the road that you are accustomed to.
  • Please note that the bikes you will ride on this trip are aluminium frames with mechanical shifting, which differs from our standard fleet. See the Bikes & Guides section for more information.

Before and After Your Trip

Weather

Average monthly temperature and precipitation

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High (°F) 43.0° 44.0° 48.0° 52.0° 57.0° 61.0° 65.0° 64.0° 60.0° 54.0° 48.0° 43.0°
High (°C) 6.1° 6.7° 8.9° 11.1° 13.9° 16.1° 18.3° 17.8° 15.6° 12.2° 8.9° 6.1°
Low (°F) 34.0° 34.0° 36.0° 38.0° 43.0° 49.0° 52.0° 51.0° 47.0° 42.0° 37.0° 33.0°
Low (°C) 1.1° 1.1° 2.2° 3.3° 6.1° 9.4° 11.1° 10.6° 8.3° 5.6° 2.8° 0.6°
Rain (in) 0.95° 0.88° 0.74° 0.74° 0.96° 0.91° 0.86° 1.22° 0.89° 1.32° 0.93° 1.04°
FAQs

Summer temperatures range from the 50s to 70s ºF (13-24ºC). Always remember that rain is possible at any time of the year–daily Scottish weather is very unpredictable! It’s a good idea to bring a light rain jacket, as well as layers. View our Packing List

To reserve your space on a trip, you can either call us at 866-464-8735 to speak with an expert Trip Consultant or book online any time by clicking the “BOOK THIS TRIP” icon near the upper right of each destination’s overview page.* Once you have submitted your reservation online, a Trip Consultant will contact you within one business day to answer any questions you may have and to confirm space, bike, and room availability on your desired trip. Your booking will be finalized once your no-risk deposit is paid. If you make a reservation more than 90 days prior to the trip, a $750 no risk deposit is due at the time of booking.** If you reserve your trip less than 90 days prior to the departure, the full balance is due at the time of booking. Once your booking is complete you will receive an email confirmation with important information pertaining to your trip.

*Please note that select trips cannot be booked online at this time. For those trips, please call a trip consultant at 866-464-8735.

**Deposit amounts vary for all Race, Cross Country, Special Edition, Ride Camp, Discover, and Self-Guided tours. Please confirm deposit amounts for all trips with your Trip Consultant at time of booking.

When a trip is booked, a guest confirmation email is immediately sent out. One week prior to the trip start, you’ll receive an email containing your trip start meeting location reminder and any last-minute information that you’ll need to know. You will also receive instructions to download the Ride with GPS app before your trip to provide you the day to day plan and daily route guides.

With one person booked on a date, the trip becomes guaranteed.*

In the case where trips are at one or two guests, we will contact you prior to final payment to give you the following options:

Pay a small trip fee of $500 per person for two guests or $1000 for one guest, which ensures your preferred trip date will run. If there are three or more guests before departure date, the fee will be refunded in full.

or

Switch to a different trip or different departure date. Should there be any difference in trip price between your original trip and the new one, you will be expected to pay the difference, or we will refund you accordingly.

Offer only valid if Trek Travel contacts a guest to discuss these specific options. Trips with fewer than three guests may operate with only one guide. The guide will support all rides with a Trek Travel van. If you would like to discuss the option of having two guides, please speak with your trip consultant.

The small trip supplement for Ride Camps is as follows – for two guests an additional $250 or for one guest an additional $500.

*Cross Country, Discover, Race, and Special Edition trips as well as a small number of select departures have a minimum guest count to guarantee. Please check with your Trip Consultant for more information.

Unforeseen events may make it necessary to cancel or modify a trip. Our Guest Services team will update you with any changes. We reserve the right to cancel departures in cases of force majeure or the failure of third parties—such as hotels—to honor their reservations, in which case all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes full settlement. Trek Travel is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for any canceled trips, such as airline tickets, or for costs that are incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations, or illness. We strongly encourage Travel Protection for complete coverage.

We understand things happen in life and sometimes you have to cancel or change your bike tour. We want to make it as easy as possible to do so and below you’ll find our timeline.

Have a question? Just give us a call, 866-464-8735.
Read our Cancellation Policy

Trek Travel recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help safeguard you and your travel investment against the unexpected. We offer a travel protection plan through Arch RoamRight that provides coverage for unforeseen events that could affect your ability to travel with us. Learn more about our Travel Protection

We've collaborated with a specialized travel agency committed to delivering tailored vacation planning, ensuring your entire Trek Travel journey is nothing short of unforgettable. Learn more about our Travel Services

Sharing the joy that comes with wow moments

Trek Travel guides are dedicated to making moments that last a lifetime, and we invite you to thank them with a trip gratuity. These are customary and at your own discretion, to recognize service, hospitality, and the little extras that surprise and delight. For this Signature trip, we recommend between $240-$300 per guest and, of course, you may choose to give more if your guides made your trip an unforgettable experience.

Like everything else about your vacation, the Trek Travel team is here to make this experience easier for you. While local currency is preferred, you may also tip through the following options:

Via PayPal (please have this account set up in advance when possible) or with your guest services representative on the phone before or after the trip.

Gratuities will be divided among the guide team, so feel free to leave your gratuity with whomever you choose at the end of your trip.

You cannot put a price on a wow. But you can show your thanks for an exceptional experience.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Check out our General FAQs section. You will find answers to the most common questions that don't necessarily pertain to a specific trip. See FAQs


Guaranteed Trips

Our trips are guaranteed to run once we have one confirmed booking on the trip. Click here to view our full guarantee policy.

Trek Travel reserves the right to cancel trips with zero guests, therefore you must book with Trek Travel before making travel arrangements for the trip. We are not responsible for travel arrangements made prior to confirming your Trek Travel Trip. Select trips are not guaranteed.

Sold Out/Waitlist

This trip is currently sold out, but you may be added to the waitlist in the case of availability.

Limited Availability

If a date is marked with Limited Availability, there are few spots left to book. We will secure additional rooms from our hotels before confirming your reservation.

Looking to travel with a small group? Ask our trip consultants about private trips and learn more.

What are your trip styles?

Classic - Reserve:

Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.

Classic - Signature:

Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.

Classic - Discovor:

Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.

Ride Camp:

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

Pro Race:

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Self-Guided

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

Private

If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.

Looking to travel with a small group or looking for a custom date?
Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735

What is the Difference?

Ultimate Luxury:

Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.

Luxury:

Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.

Explorer

These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.

Combined

On select cycling vacations, you’ll stay at a mix of hotel levels, from Explorer to Luxury to Ultimate Luxury. Rest assured, no matter which level of hotel you’re at, our trip designers carefully select every accommodation.

Activity Level

Level 1:

Road: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Level 2:

Road: 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).

Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).

Level 3:

Road: 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).

Level 4:

Road: 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

What are your trip styles?

Classic - Reserve:

Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.

Classic - Signature:

Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.

Classic - Discovor:

Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.

Ride Camp:

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

Pro Race:

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Self-Guided

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

Single Occupancy

Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself