Which Scottish islands provides the best cycling ?
The best cycling in Scotland and the best scenery can be found in the islands. The car traffic is also not bad on these islands due to the need of ferries and their increasing capacity problems. Yes, the ferry operator CalMac is the victim of their own success.
The ferry costs is also very low with a bike and when using multi-journey tickets like their Hopscotch tickets.
In short, the Scottish islands is the biking heaven.
A short presentation of the candidates is probably the best introduction to the theme.
1. Arran. If taken clockwise, the first twenty miles is very hilly. The west coast past Blackwaterfoot to Lochranza is pretty flat, although with some pretty steep hills. The hill after Lochranza is steep. The east coast is flat.
The String Road from Blackwaterfoot to Brodick is steep with a vertical drop down to Brodick. Arran is in my view a brilliant island and a first rate cycle and nature heaven.
2. Islay. The ferry journeys to and from Islay is alone worth the effort. Islay is flat without any big hills. The almost 10 miles flat dead straight road between Bowmore and Port Ellen is an attraction. The scenery is brilliant throughout with a minimum effort on the bike.
3. Coll and Tiree. Two small islands which seems to have some good roads. These islands are popular among families with small children. I have no more informations.
4. Mull (Isle Of Mull). A beautiful island with medium sized hills and a lot of fantastic scenery. The roads are a blend of single tracks and good roads. The northern loop (B8074) over Calgary and Dervaig to Tobermory offers brilliant cycling.
5. Skye (Isle Of Skye). The full circuit t/r Kyle Of Lochalsh over Dunvegan (A863), Uig and around Trotternish back to Portree is 150 miles long........ and very hilly. The scenery is probably the best in Scotland. Skye is the hardest and most hilly island in Scotland.
6. Barra & The Uists (South, North & the Bernareys). In short; the southern half of the Western Isles. I am going there in four weeks time and I am counting down the days and hours. But from what I have seen, the islands seems flat and well worth the tour. The scenery is fantastic. The roads pretty good.
7. Harris & Lewis. Ditto there. The roads are good. There is a couple of big hills on Harris and the rest is pretty flat. The scenery seems fantastic. Stornoway (where I have been) is alone worth the tour. Please note that all shops are closed on Sundays.
8. Orkneys. I have never been there. But the scenery seems fantastic and the roads good.
9. Shetland. Same as Orkneys. The cycling seems good. But the islands, served by some ferries, seems remote. This must be the ultimate adventure cycling destination in the Europe.
10. Others. Jura has some good mountain biking and one good road. Ditto for the small isles outside Mallaig.
Which is your favorite Scottish island ?
I have not cast my vote yet because I cannot make up my mind.
The best cycling in Scotland and the best scenery can be found in the islands. The car traffic is also not bad on these islands due to the need of ferries and their increasing capacity problems. Yes, the ferry operator CalMac is the victim of their own success.
The ferry costs is also very low with a bike and when using multi-journey tickets like their Hopscotch tickets.
In short, the Scottish islands is the biking heaven.
A short presentation of the candidates is probably the best introduction to the theme.
1. Arran. If taken clockwise, the first twenty miles is very hilly. The west coast past Blackwaterfoot to Lochranza is pretty flat, although with some pretty steep hills. The hill after Lochranza is steep. The east coast is flat.
The String Road from Blackwaterfoot to Brodick is steep with a vertical drop down to Brodick. Arran is in my view a brilliant island and a first rate cycle and nature heaven.
2. Islay. The ferry journeys to and from Islay is alone worth the effort. Islay is flat without any big hills. The almost 10 miles flat dead straight road between Bowmore and Port Ellen is an attraction. The scenery is brilliant throughout with a minimum effort on the bike.
3. Coll and Tiree. Two small islands which seems to have some good roads. These islands are popular among families with small children. I have no more informations.
4. Mull (Isle Of Mull). A beautiful island with medium sized hills and a lot of fantastic scenery. The roads are a blend of single tracks and good roads. The northern loop (B8074) over Calgary and Dervaig to Tobermory offers brilliant cycling.
5. Skye (Isle Of Skye). The full circuit t/r Kyle Of Lochalsh over Dunvegan (A863), Uig and around Trotternish back to Portree is 150 miles long........ and very hilly. The scenery is probably the best in Scotland. Skye is the hardest and most hilly island in Scotland.
6. Barra & The Uists (South, North & the Bernareys). In short; the southern half of the Western Isles. I am going there in four weeks time and I am counting down the days and hours. But from what I have seen, the islands seems flat and well worth the tour. The scenery is fantastic. The roads pretty good.
7. Harris & Lewis. Ditto there. The roads are good. There is a couple of big hills on Harris and the rest is pretty flat. The scenery seems fantastic. Stornoway (where I have been) is alone worth the tour. Please note that all shops are closed on Sundays.
8. Orkneys. I have never been there. But the scenery seems fantastic and the roads good.
9. Shetland. Same as Orkneys. The cycling seems good. But the islands, served by some ferries, seems remote. This must be the ultimate adventure cycling destination in the Europe.
10. Others. Jura has some good mountain biking and one good road. Ditto for the small isles outside Mallaig.
Which is your favorite Scottish island ?
I have not cast my vote yet because I cannot make up my mind.