shortbread and whisky

Day 1 : Stirling Castle

We meet at Edinburgh airport around noon. We travel by bus to the nearby town of Stirling, where we visit the historic castle. It is one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, with a history that dates back to the 12th century. One of the most impressive features of Stirling Castle is its stunning architecture, which includes a mix of medieval, Renaissance, and Gothic styles. Our accommodations for the trip will be at the Golden Lion, a hotel that has been in operation since the 17th century.

Day 2 : Robin Hood in a kilt - approx. 45 km

We'll take a brief transfer to Callander, situated at the base of the Western Highlands, where our electric bikes await us. From there, we'll follow the shores of Loch Venachar to the Trossachs and finally arrive at Loch Katrine, the abode of the Scottish legend Rob Roy. Rob Roy MacGregor was a Scottish folk hero and outlaw who lived during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He was known for his charisma, cunning, and skill in battle, and was respected by many despite being an outlaw. On a car-free road, we enjoy the wild and heavenly landscape until we reach Loch Lomond. A boat takes us to the other side. From here we travel by bus to the famous town of Glencoe, located in an area of almost alpine charm, via the strange high moors of Rannoch (2 nights).

Day 3 : From one loch to another - approx. 55 km

After a short ferry ride, today's stage takes place at the foot of impressive mountains on an easy pedal route along the shores of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil, with views of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest peak. The final destination is Glenfinnan, on the edge of the long Loch Shiel. A bus transfer will take us back to our hotel in Glencoe.

Day 4 : Nessie and the Great Glen - approx.52 km

We take the bus to the Great Glen, then cycle along the Caledonian Canal to Fort Augustus. We then venture by boat on the famous and mysterious Loch Ness. In the afternoon we take the bus back to the Carn an t-Suidhe Pass. We enjoy the bike ride down to Foyers. We soon return to the flat shores of the lake and follow the Loch and River Ness to Inverness (2 nights).

Day 5 : Macbeth and Bonnie Prince Charlie - approx. 46 km

We travel by minibus to the plateau of Culloden Moor, the scene of the last battle fought on British soil, and visit the exhibition. The Battle of Culloden was a significant battle that took place on Culloden Moor near Inverness, Scotland, on April 16, 1746. It was the final battle of the Jacobite Rising of 1745, a rebellion led by Charles Edward Stuart (also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie), who sought to restore the House of Stuart to the British throne. From there we travel by electric bike to Cawdor Castle, where, according to Shakespeare, Macbeth resided. We visit the castle and have a picnic in the grounds. We then follow a charming route to the prehistoric tombs of Clava, a group of three Bronze Age burial cairns, and return to Inverness.

Day 6 : Speyside Whisky - approx.65 km

After an early morning bus transfer, the "Whisky Trail" takes us through the world's most important whisky producing region. We are welcomed at the famous Glenfiddich distillery, where we learn the secrets of whisky making and enjoy a dram with the traditional Scottish shortbread. Afterwards we cycle through the countryside to Chapel of Garioch, where we stay in a castle.

Day 7: Dee River and Don River - approx. 54 km

In the morning, a bus takes us to Leith Hall, a historic mansion located in Aberdeenshire. With their charming rivers and magnificent Scottish baronial castles, the Grampians offer a picturesque landscape. After crossing Monarch Hill, we'll venture through the valley of the River Don, and along the way, we'll visit the remarkable Craigievar Castle, where we'll enjoy our picnic lunch amidst stunning surroundings. Continuing towards the Dee Valley, we'll eventually reach the tranquil town of Banchory, situated on the banks of the River Dee.

Day 8: Royal Deeside and Stone of Scone - approx. 57 km

As we cycle along with the stunning views of the river and the moors, we'll witness the salmon leaping from the Dee on our way to the Royal Family's summer retreat at Balmoral Castle. After exploring the castle, a bus will take us to Braemar Pass and then to Scone Palace, the ancient crowning place of Scottish monarchs. From there, we'll head towards Edinburgh via the scenic Firth of Forth. Upon arrival, we can enjoy a leisurely evening stroll in Scotland's vibrant cultural hub before settling in at our hotel.

Day 9: Royal Edinburgh

We'll start our day with a guided walking tour of the Scottish capital, exploring the city's many cultural landmarks and vibrant neighbourhoods. As we make our way down the Royal Mile, we'll eventually reach our destination at Edinburgh Castle. Our tour will wrap up by midday, leaving us with plenty of time to continue exploring this beautiful city on our own.