Scottish Tourism Guide - Articles
Cycling in Scotland
Scotland is an obvious choice for the perfect cycling holiday. With its varied and beautiful landscapes and extensive network of sign-posted cycling routes, no wonder cycling in Scotland is such a popular holiday activity!
The country has more than its fair share of rural roads, forest paths, off-road trails, disused railway tracks, canal towpaths and waymarked long-distance touring routes; there’s something to suit all ages and levels of cycling ability.
Mabie Forrest, Dumfries - copyright VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint
Prime Cycling Territory
- Southern Scottish Regions: ideal for cycle touring, quiet roads, gentle gradients, an abundance of B&Bs, value-for-money hostels, as well as strategically located country pubs, en route;
- Sections of the National Byway, a rural cycling route in Southern Scotland;
Scottish section of the North Sea Cycle Route (picks up in Shetland and continues along the eastern seaboard);
- Scottish Highlands (note, however, that this is also favourite walking territory, so stick to tracks marked with a ‘right to cycle’);
- Glentress Forest, near Peebles: fast becoming Scotland’s top extreme cycling and mountain biking destination, exhilarating single-track, forest tracks graded according to level of difficulty.
Long Distance Cycling in Scotland
Scotland is renowned for its excellent long-distance cycling opportunities; many of the cyclist-friendly National Cycle Network routes are traffic-free. Popular routes include the Sustrans scenic route between Glasgow and Inverness, 344 kilometres (214 miles); Scottish Borders Borderloop, 400 kilometres (250 miles); Edinburgh to Aberdeen Cycle Route, 274 kilometres (170 miles); and the Outer Hebrides, Barra to Butt of Lewis.
So where do you start when planning your Scottish cycling holiday?
Queen's View, Perthshire - copyright VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint
Quiet, Novice or Family-Oriented Cycling Routes
For a leisurely cycling experience, head for Scotland’s rural areas, unclassified roads and country lanes which, although unnumbered, are clearly signposted and marked on OS maps; small forest trails, canal towpaths and disused railway tracks - all make for easy cycling. Try:
- West Highlands & Islands, Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Trossachs; Loch Ard Forest – Loch Ard Circular: Difficulty: easy; Distance: 11 kilometres (7 miles); Maps: South Scotland OS Road Map 3, OS Landranger 57;
- Edinburgh & Lothians; Edinburgh – Balerno: Difficulty: easy; Distance: 12 kilometres (7.5 miles); Maps: South Scotland OS Map 3, OS Landranger 66;
- South of Scotland; Glen Trool – Caldons Circular; Difficulty: easy; Distance: 16 kilometres (10 miles); Maps: South Scotland OS Road Map 3, Landranger 77;
- Aberdeen & Grampian; The Speyside Way; Craigellachie –Ballindalloch; Difficulty: easy; Distance: 19 kilometres (12 miles); Maps: North Scotland OS Road Map 1, OS landranger 28.
Cycle Touring (Roads & Lanes)
Although some cities are not particularly cycle-friendly (the busy direct Glasgow to Edinburgh route is best avoided), you will be pleasantly surprised to find thousands of miles of relatively un-crowded minor waymarked roads and lanes which make touring in Scotland a pleasure. Suggestions include:
- Western Isles, Isle of Barra – Coastal Circular; Difficulty: varied; Distance: 23 kilometres (14 miles); Maps: Western Isles & West Scotland OS Map 2, OS Landranger 31;
- Orkney, Kirkwall – Stromness, via Orphir; Difficulty: moderate; Distance: 31 kilometres (19 miles); Maps: North Scotland OS Map 1, OS Landranger 6;
- Shetland, Walls – Circular; Difficulty: easy; Distance: 23 kilometres (14 miles); Maps: North Scotland, OS Road Map 1, OS Landranger 3.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking and off-roading in Scotland is big news in the cycling world. A recent Forestry Commission initiative in conjunction with professional mountain bikers to develop world-class mountain bike routes has established the South of Scotland as a top mountain biking destination. Excellent routes include:
- South of Scotland, Glentress – Red Route Circular; Difficulty: Difficult; Distance: 19 kilometres (12 miles); Maps: entire route fully sign-posted;
- Perthshire, Angus & Fife; Beinn a’ Ghlo – Glenfernate to Blair Atholl; Difficulty: Difficult, Distance: 24 kilometres (18 miles), excluding return trip by road; Maps: OS Landranger 43;
- Aberdeen & Grampian; Glen Tanar – Black Moss Circular; Difficulty: Moderate; Distance: 26 kilometres (16 miles); Maps: North Scotland OS Road Map 1, OS Landranger 44.
Cycling in Scotland: Essential Information
- Scotland’s network of Tourist Information Centres provides a one-stop source of cycling advice, with free guides, detailed routes, maps, etc. Most TICs will even pre-book your accommodation or recommend a specific cycling package.
- The Forestry Commission has over 1850 kilometres (1,150 miles) of off-road cycling routes, throughout Scotland; check out the series of leaflets, ‘Cycling in the Forest’, available at most tourist offices and Forestry Enterprise offices.
- Bikes can be hired from most cycle shops (and some tourist centres) across Scotland. Weekly rates work out much cheaper.
Transporting your Bike to and around Scotland
- Train: Advance booking applies to all long-distance routes. Always check in advance if a train will carry bicycles. InterCity services between London and Scotland do not charge extra, but reservations are compulsory. Bikes go free on ScotRail local services, on a first-come-first-served basis (Tel: ScotRail +44 (0)845 755 0033); GNER and Virgin charge a small fee.
- Ferry: most ferries transport bikes for a small charge.
- Air: certain airlines accept bikes as part of your baggage allowance.
- Bus/coach: generally do not carry bikes, unless pre-dismantled and boxed.
Callanish, Isle of Lewis - copyright Visit Scotland/Scottish Viewpoint
Top Tip
Why not try island hopping by bike in Scotland? For a nominal fee, bikes are transported on the ferries linking, for instance, the mainland with the picturesque islands along Scotland’s West Coast.
Did you know that …
- The first bicycle with pedals was invented in Scotland by Kirkpatrick MacMillan (circa 1835) near Dumfries?
- Your pneumatic (air filled) tyres were invented by a Scottish Vet, John Boyd Dunlop in 1888
- The black road surface that you cycle on was invented by another Scot, John McAdam and first laid in Paris in 1854. It was the first major development in roadmaking since the Romans
Resources
- For all kinds of cycling information and interactive mapping, contact Sustrans, Tel. +44 (0)845 113 0065; website: www.sustrans.org.uk
- National Cycle Network has over 2,090 kilometres (1,300 miles) of cycle routes marked by distinctive blue signposts. For the latest information on new Scottish cycle trails; visit
www.sustrans.org.uk/default.asp?sID=1090515197515
- SCU (Scottish Cyclists’ Union), Tel +44 (0)131 652 0187; website: www.scuonline.org; produces an annual handbook; lists events for mountain biking, road racing and time trialling.
- CTC (Cyclists’ Touring Club) Scotland, Tel: +44 (0)1575 574082; website: www.ctc.org.uk; UK’s largest cycling organisation; information on cycle hire, routes, day rides and tours, etc;
- SIH (Scottish Independent Hostels), website: www.hostel-scotland.co.uk; an association of 120 independent hostels throughout Scotland.
- SYHA (Scottish Youth Hostels Association), website: www.syha.org.uk; 70 hostels in Scotland ranging from country cottages to historic buildings and purpose-built properties.
The country has more than its fair share of rural roads, forest paths, off-road trails, disused railway tracks, canal towpaths and waymarked long-distance touring routes; there’s something to suit all ages and levels of cycling ability.
Mabie Forrest, Dumfries - copyright VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint
Prime Cycling Territory
- Southern Scottish Regions: ideal for cycle touring, quiet roads, gentle gradients, an abundance of B&Bs, value-for-money hostels, as well as strategically located country pubs, en route;
- Sections of the National Byway, a rural cycling route in Southern Scotland;
Scottish section of the North Sea Cycle Route (picks up in Shetland and continues along the eastern seaboard);
- Scottish Highlands (note, however, that this is also favourite walking territory, so stick to tracks marked with a ‘right to cycle’);
- Glentress Forest, near Peebles: fast becoming Scotland’s top extreme cycling and mountain biking destination, exhilarating single-track, forest tracks graded according to level of difficulty.
Long Distance Cycling in Scotland
Scotland is renowned for its excellent long-distance cycling opportunities; many of the cyclist-friendly National Cycle Network routes are traffic-free. Popular routes include the Sustrans scenic route between Glasgow and Inverness, 344 kilometres (214 miles); Scottish Borders Borderloop, 400 kilometres (250 miles); Edinburgh to Aberdeen Cycle Route, 274 kilometres (170 miles); and the Outer Hebrides, Barra to Butt of Lewis.
So where do you start when planning your Scottish cycling holiday?
Queen's View, Perthshire - copyright VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint
Quiet, Novice or Family-Oriented Cycling Routes
For a leisurely cycling experience, head for Scotland’s rural areas, unclassified roads and country lanes which, although unnumbered, are clearly signposted and marked on OS maps; small forest trails, canal towpaths and disused railway tracks - all make for easy cycling. Try:
- West Highlands & Islands, Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Trossachs; Loch Ard Forest – Loch Ard Circular: Difficulty: easy; Distance: 11 kilometres (7 miles); Maps: South Scotland OS Road Map 3, OS Landranger 57;
- Edinburgh & Lothians; Edinburgh – Balerno: Difficulty: easy; Distance: 12 kilometres (7.5 miles); Maps: South Scotland OS Map 3, OS Landranger 66;
- South of Scotland; Glen Trool – Caldons Circular; Difficulty: easy; Distance: 16 kilometres (10 miles); Maps: South Scotland OS Road Map 3, Landranger 77;
- Aberdeen & Grampian; The Speyside Way; Craigellachie –Ballindalloch; Difficulty: easy; Distance: 19 kilometres (12 miles); Maps: North Scotland OS Road Map 1, OS landranger 28.
Cycle Touring (Roads & Lanes)
Although some cities are not particularly cycle-friendly (the busy direct Glasgow to Edinburgh route is best avoided), you will be pleasantly surprised to find thousands of miles of relatively un-crowded minor waymarked roads and lanes which make touring in Scotland a pleasure. Suggestions include:
- Western Isles, Isle of Barra – Coastal Circular; Difficulty: varied; Distance: 23 kilometres (14 miles); Maps: Western Isles & West Scotland OS Map 2, OS Landranger 31;
- Orkney, Kirkwall – Stromness, via Orphir; Difficulty: moderate; Distance: 31 kilometres (19 miles); Maps: North Scotland OS Map 1, OS Landranger 6;
- Shetland, Walls – Circular; Difficulty: easy; Distance: 23 kilometres (14 miles); Maps: North Scotland, OS Road Map 1, OS Landranger 3.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking and off-roading in Scotland is big news in the cycling world. A recent Forestry Commission initiative in conjunction with professional mountain bikers to develop world-class mountain bike routes has established the South of Scotland as a top mountain biking destination. Excellent routes include:
- South of Scotland, Glentress – Red Route Circular; Difficulty: Difficult; Distance: 19 kilometres (12 miles); Maps: entire route fully sign-posted;
- Perthshire, Angus & Fife; Beinn a’ Ghlo – Glenfernate to Blair Atholl; Difficulty: Difficult, Distance: 24 kilometres (18 miles), excluding return trip by road; Maps: OS Landranger 43;
- Aberdeen & Grampian; Glen Tanar – Black Moss Circular; Difficulty: Moderate; Distance: 26 kilometres (16 miles); Maps: North Scotland OS Road Map 1, OS Landranger 44.
Cycling in Scotland: Essential Information
- Scotland’s network of Tourist Information Centres provides a one-stop source of cycling advice, with free guides, detailed routes, maps, etc. Most TICs will even pre-book your accommodation or recommend a specific cycling package.
- The Forestry Commission has over 1850 kilometres (1,150 miles) of off-road cycling routes, throughout Scotland; check out the series of leaflets, ‘Cycling in the Forest’, available at most tourist offices and Forestry Enterprise offices.
- Bikes can be hired from most cycle shops (and some tourist centres) across Scotland. Weekly rates work out much cheaper.
Transporting your Bike to and around Scotland
- Train: Advance booking applies to all long-distance routes. Always check in advance if a train will carry bicycles. InterCity services between London and Scotland do not charge extra, but reservations are compulsory. Bikes go free on ScotRail local services, on a first-come-first-served basis (Tel: ScotRail +44 (0)845 755 0033); GNER and Virgin charge a small fee.
- Ferry: most ferries transport bikes for a small charge.
- Air: certain airlines accept bikes as part of your baggage allowance.
- Bus/coach: generally do not carry bikes, unless pre-dismantled and boxed.
Callanish, Isle of Lewis - copyright Visit Scotland/Scottish Viewpoint
Top Tip
Why not try island hopping by bike in Scotland? For a nominal fee, bikes are transported on the ferries linking, for instance, the mainland with the picturesque islands along Scotland’s West Coast.
Did you know that …
- The first bicycle with pedals was invented in Scotland by Kirkpatrick MacMillan (circa 1835) near Dumfries?
- Your pneumatic (air filled) tyres were invented by a Scottish Vet, John Boyd Dunlop in 1888
- The black road surface that you cycle on was invented by another Scot, John McAdam and first laid in Paris in 1854. It was the first major development in roadmaking since the Romans
Resources
- For all kinds of cycling information and interactive mapping, contact Sustrans, Tel. +44 (0)845 113 0065; website: www.sustrans.org.uk
- National Cycle Network has over 2,090 kilometres (1,300 miles) of cycle routes marked by distinctive blue signposts. For the latest information on new Scottish cycle trails; visit
www.sustrans.org.uk/default.asp?sID=1090515197515
- SCU (Scottish Cyclists’ Union), Tel +44 (0)131 652 0187; website: www.scuonline.org; produces an annual handbook; lists events for mountain biking, road racing and time trialling.
- CTC (Cyclists’ Touring Club) Scotland, Tel: +44 (0)1575 574082; website: www.ctc.org.uk; UK’s largest cycling organisation; information on cycle hire, routes, day rides and tours, etc;
- SIH (Scottish Independent Hostels), website: www.hostel-scotland.co.uk; an association of 120 independent hostels throughout Scotland.
- SYHA (Scottish Youth Hostels Association), website: www.syha.org.uk; 70 hostels in Scotland ranging from country cottages to historic buildings and purpose-built properties.
