The Grand Tour

Day 1 – Inverness to Grantown-on-Spey

We meet this morning in Inverness and transfer to the nearby Culloden Battlefield. Here there is ample space for us to welcome everyone with a trip briefing and bike fitting before we set off, and there may be time for a quick look around the battlefield. Our route quickly takes us out of the Highland capital and into the surrounding countryside. From here we head east on flat and fast roads, past Cawdor, where we stop for lunch at a great little tearoom and then into the Whisky Country of Speyside. An ancient military road dating from the 1700s leads to our first overnight stop at Grantown-on-Spey. (L, D)

Ride Details: 59km/36.5 miles | 632m/2,074ft elevation gain

Day 2 – The Cairngorms National Park

Today we ride through the UK’s largest and highest National Park. There are a few hills to contend with today but the exciting descents and superb views more than reward the effort required on the climbs. Our first stop is in the village of Tomintoul – the highest in the Highlands. It’s also home to one of Scotland’s best whisky shops which is well worth a visit. From Tomintoul, it is a stiff climb over the Lecht pass, but the views over Royal Deeside are simply superb on a clear day. From the summit, there is a long descent, one final climb and then a 10km/6 miles run downhill delivers us to the lovely village of Ballater. (B, L, D)

Ride Details: 63km/39 miles | 1,050m/3,440ft elevation gain

Day 3 – Royal Deeside to Edzell

Our journey continues east along the River Dee and then through the picturesque Forest of Birse on rolling and very scenic roads. An early lunch sets us up for the climb over the Cairn O’Mount which is challenging, but the van will be close by should you need it. Look out for the stone cairn which is said to be more than 4,000 years old and enjoy the commanding views from the summit and our first glimpse of the North Sea and Scotland’s east coast. It’s all downhill from here – a superb 10 miles of fast riding all the way to our overnight halt at Edzell, where the whisky bar holds the Guinness World Record with over 1,000 different whiskies. (B, L, D)

Ride Details: 63km/39 miles | 840m/2,756ft elevation gain

Day 4 – Glamis Castle & Dundee

This morning we leave the Cairngorm Mountains behind and head south to Kirriemuir and then on to Glamis Castle – known as “the most beautiful castle in Scotland”. We park up the bikes here for a guided tour of the castle and its stories, tales and secrets. A relaxing lunch in the restaurant follows before we continue our journey traversing the low-lying Sidlaw Hills en route to our accommodation in the City of Dundee. (B, L, D)

Ride Details: 68km/42 miles | 613m/2,011ft elevation gain

Day 5 – St Andrews and Fife

We make our start from Dundee this morning and after crossing the Tay Estuary we reach the historic university town of St Andrews where we stop and have some time to explore on foot. Leaving the coast behind we pick up part of the National Cycle Network route, passing through a number of villages and the historic Falkland Palace. This afternoon we climb through the Lomond Hills Regional Park and continue on to our accommodation in Crossford. (B, L, D)

Ride Details: 111km/69 miles | 1,065m/3,494ft elevation gain

Day 6 – Round the Forth

We begin our final full day of riding with an easy climb and descent out of Fife. Crossing the River Forth, where it widens and becomes the Firth of Forth, we continue on to see the Kelpies, a magnificent monument to horse-powered heritage across Scotland. Here there is an optional detour where we could visit the Falkirk Wheel, a rotating boat lift connecting the Forth and the Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. Later this afternoon we ride along the banks of the estuary passing the 15th-century fortress of Blackness Castle before arriving at our final accommodation in South Queensferry. (B, L, D)

Ride Details: 67km/42 miles | 511m/1,676ft elevation gain

Day 7 – Edinburgh, Scotland's Capital

On the final day of our Grand Tour and we can choose to have a free morning in South Queensferry or take a ride out and back across the Forth Road Bridge. This impressive suspension bridge is now closed to general traffic so cyclists and pedestrians have it to themselves to admire the spectacular views of the Firth of Forth.

Choose to depart from Edinburgh Park station or, better still, head into the city centre to explore more of Scotland’s capital. (B)

Ride Details: 6km/3.5 miles | 50m/165ft elevation gain