Scotland - Lochs and Glens

Balloch, on the shores of Loch Lomond, is where you will spend your first evening.

If you plan to arrive by air, the nearest airport is Glasgow which has direct transport links to Glasgow train station. For those arriving by train (40 minutes from Glasgow) your accommodation is a short walk from the station. If you decide to arrive into Balloch by car, limited parking is available near the accommodation for the duration of the trip. The evening can be spent strolling along the shoreline and sampling local dishes.

The guide representative will meet you at your hotel the following morning.

You will be met by our representative and given a tour welcome briefing. He will bring your bicycles, road-books, GPS and touristic information.

An expert of the region, you can ask him all the questions you have about your trip. Then he will adjust your bike so you feel comfortable riding.

The countryside is different to yesterday’s riding, with a gentler landscape of farmland and woodland. A real combination of surfaces today, quiet lanes, cycle paths and a disused railway line through the beautiful Glen Ogle. You are now close to the birthplace of folk hero and latter day Robin Hood, Rob Roy Macgregor, whose grave may be found in Balquhidder. The final stretch is to Killin (or nearby) where you stop for the night.

Distance : 40km (25mi)

Elevation : 600m.

The start of the day follows the 15 mile long Loch Tay to Aberfeldy the home to Dewars World of Whisky Distillery. All road today, as you pass through Aberfeldy and Strathay, before arriving at Pitlochry – watch out for those leaping salmon! An optional detour can be made from here to the Edradour Distillery (2.5 miles from Pitlochry) – you’ll need no persuasion to visit Scotland’s smallest distillery, established way back in 1825. The wide glens of the river Tay and river Tummel guide you to Pitlochry and your accommodation for the night.

Distance : 61km (38mi)

Elevation : 750m.

Retracing your tracks to the Logierait Viaduct you now follow the river Tay on the National Cycle Network route 77, The Salmon Run. This route eventually brings you to Perth, the town that inspired Sir Walter Scott to pen ‘The Fair Maid of Perth’, which in turn inspired Bizet’s opera. On the way to this fair city, tucked away at the foot of thickly wooded hills, you will discover one of Perthshire’s gems – the cathedral town of Dunkeld. Resting on the opposite bank of the River Tay is the Victorian village of Birnam. Together, the beautifully restored buildings and rich heritage are an inspiration for lovers of history, the arts and the great green outdoors. At the end of the day you will be met by our representative and either whisked back to your car in Balloch or given your bags to catch a train in Perth.

Distance : 52km (32mi)

Elevation : 500m.

Today after breakfast you leave your accommodation in Perth and make your onward journey by train.