Kirstie
Über Member
Seconded. Scotland is one of my favourite places of all. I've ridden the whole length of it and toured in different areas. Definitely get a train north out of edinburgh to inverness or even just to Perth. The Tay valley (north of perth) is absolutely beautiful rolling farmland surrounded by mountains and makes a nice introduction. Then you can head up into the highlands over the drumochter pass (although there are better options) over to kingussie, aviemore and inverness. Heading either west or north out of inverness is equally beautiful. A must-stay-at place is Carbisdale castle youth hostel just by Lairg.
Another way would be to take a train up to Oban from Glasgow (3 hrs) and explore the west coast. Applecross, the Torridons and the Assynt are all stunning as is the whole of Sutherland (the far NW). The riding is hard though. The coastal roads feature constant one in six climbs.
From Oban you can also get to the Isles of Mull and the outer hebrides. I've ridden in both of these places. Mull is a cycling paradise, with lovely gradients, civilised roads, lots of good views and wildlife too. You can do it all in a day but allow two. The outer hebrides can be done in about a week. It's a 6 hour ferry ride from Oban to Castlebay or Lochboisdale. They are a really magical place and the people are lovely. I'll also second the gatliff hostels - they are great. The whole of the outer hebrides shuts on a sunday though as they are still very religious out there.
Also dont' discount the borders. Dumfries and Galloway is beautiful and quite hilly. One of the most beautiful rides I've done is up to Edinburgh through the borders - the Minto Hills, Hawick, the Tweed Valley, Innerleithen and then over the hills to Edinburgh. Really stunning.
You really can't go wrong in Scotland!
Another way would be to take a train up to Oban from Glasgow (3 hrs) and explore the west coast. Applecross, the Torridons and the Assynt are all stunning as is the whole of Sutherland (the far NW). The riding is hard though. The coastal roads feature constant one in six climbs.
From Oban you can also get to the Isles of Mull and the outer hebrides. I've ridden in both of these places. Mull is a cycling paradise, with lovely gradients, civilised roads, lots of good views and wildlife too. You can do it all in a day but allow two. The outer hebrides can be done in about a week. It's a 6 hour ferry ride from Oban to Castlebay or Lochboisdale. They are a really magical place and the people are lovely. I'll also second the gatliff hostels - they are great. The whole of the outer hebrides shuts on a sunday though as they are still very religious out there.
Also dont' discount the borders. Dumfries and Galloway is beautiful and quite hilly. One of the most beautiful rides I've done is up to Edinburgh through the borders - the Minto Hills, Hawick, the Tweed Valley, Innerleithen and then over the hills to Edinburgh. Really stunning.
You really can't go wrong in Scotland!
