Scottish Cycling Holiday - Speyside and Moray Self Guided Cycle tour

Scottish Cycling Holiday - Speyside and Moray Self Guided Cycle tour

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9 Days From

$1641

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Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating Scottish Cycling Holiday through the breathtaking landscapes of Speyside and Moray. This self-guided tour invites you to explore the majestic Highlands, cycling along the iconic Speyside Way and through the wildlife-rich Cairngorm National Park. Delight in the natural beauty and enjoy visits to renowned distilleries, where you can savor the finest Scottish whiskies. Starting and ending in Inverness, this adventure offers a perfect blend of nature, culture, and history. With accommodation and daily breakfast included, you'll have the freedom to discover charming villages, ancient castles, and vibrant wildlife at your own pace. Whether you're a solo traveler or seeking a serene escape, this cycling journey promises an unforgettable experience in the heart of Scotland. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Cycle through the iconic Speyside Way and enjoy the stunning Highland scenery.

  • Explore the wildlife of the Cairngorm National Park.

  • Visit the historic Clava Viaduct and the ancient Ruthven Barracks.

  • Discover the "Malt Whisky Capital of the World" in Dufftown.

  • Experience the natural beauty and wildlife at the Scottish Dolphin Centre in Spey Bay.

  • Visit the historic Elgin Cathedral and the textile mill at Johnstons of Elgin.

  • Explore the prehistoric Clava Cairns and the historic Culloden Battlefield.

Places You'll See

View Of Inverness From Inverness Castle, Scotland

Cityscape Of Inverness, Scotland

brian.oliver.96

Inverness Castle, Scotland

Culloden Moor, Scotland

Memorial Cairn At The Battlefield Of Culloden, Scotland

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrive Inverness

Location: Inverness

Meals Included: Breakfast

Check in to your accommodation and explore Inverness. There are several good pubs and restaurants. The Castle Tavern is always popular, and you might want to make a booking with Rocpool Rendezvous as a treat on your return at the end of the week. If you’ve got time swing by our base in Bellfield Park to try the bikes or pick up last-minute essentials from the town centre ...more ...less

Day 2 : Cycle Inverness To Aviemore: 35 Miles / 2543Ft 54Km / 775M

Location: Inverness, Aviemore

Meals Included: Breakfast

Depart Inverness at the mouth of the River Ness and head south along the signposted cycle route number 7. The route climbs steadily as you leave the city and crosses the River Nairn valley with views of the 29 span railway viaduct at Clava which is the longest masonry viaduct in Scotland at 1800 ft (549 m). As the road emerges from the forest onto more open moorland the route tracks and then crosses the River Findhorn just south of Tomatin. Tomatin is the last chance for refreshments before Carrbridge and also provides the first distillery visiting opportunity of the tour. The Findhorn is one of Scotland’s longest rivers, popular with kayakers and anglers. The mountain pass at Slochd marks the highest point in the route today. This pass is an ancient route and was formerly a “drove road” used to move cattle on the hoof from Highland crofts to markets in southern Scotland. Carrbridge is home to “Carve Carrbridge” the Scottish Chainsaw Carving Competition each September and “The Golden Spurtle” World Porridge Making Championship in October. During the rest of the year, most visitors will spend time at the Landmark Forest Visitor Centre. Although Landmark is most popular with families, there is much there for adults to enjoy too. The Bridge from which the village gets its name dates from 1717 and is the oldest in the highlands. The day ends in Aviemore, once a railway junction, then ski resort and now a bustling village, popular all-year-round with visitors to the Cairngorms National Park.

Day 3 : Cycle Aviemore To Newtonmore Return 32Miles/1755Ft 51Km/535M

Location: Aviemore, Newtonmore

Meals Included: Breakfast

The village of Newtonmore is the village closest to the geographical centre of Scotland. The Highland Folk Museum is a fantastic open-air depiction of highland life through history and was featured early on in the TV series Outlander. The route there passes The Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig. The Highland Wildlife Park is affiliated to Edinburgh Zoo. It is home to many of the species that have at one time or another been native to the Highlands including pine martens, wildcat, lynx, wolves, owls and most recently Hamish the first polar bear cub to be born in Scotland for 25 years. The return route passes the remains of Ruthven Barracks which was built following the first Jacobite Rebellion in 1715 and saw action in the build up to and aftermath of the Battle of Culloden thirty years later. It’s nearly three hundred years since the Battle of Culloden but you can still witness skirmishes between Highlanders if you catch a game of Shinty. Shinty is the traditional ball and stick game contested between teams of twelve which shares a common ancestry with Irish hurling. Newtonmore and Kingussie and two of the most successful teams in Shinty and games take place most Saturdays throughout the summer.

Day 4 : Cycle Aviemore Grantown On Spey: 19 Miles / 974Ft 31Km / 297M

Location: Aviemore, Grantown on Spey

Meals Included: Breakfast

Just a short cycle today so maybe tackle the zip wires, balance beams, hanging platforms at TreeZone, head on to the water at Loch Morlich or travel back to the age of steam The Strathspey Steam Railway a 10 mile section of the old Highland line brought back to life by volunteers. The cycle route winds north east through the native pines and juniper of the Abernethy Forest, home to red squirrels, wildcats, deer, grouse and birds of prey. You can find out more about the natural heritage of the area and Ospreys in particular at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds nature reserve at Loch Garten. The pretty forest village of Nethybridge provides a convenient refreshment stop on the way to today’s destination the traditional Highland town of Grantown on Spey.

Day 5 : Cycle Grantown On Spey To Dufftown 33 Miles / 2513Ft 53Km / 766M

Location: Grantown-on-Spey, Tomintoul, Dufftown

Meals Included: Breakfast

This is definitely the “lumpiest” day of the cycling holiday as you traverse the moorland landscape at the northern edge of the Cairngorm Mountains. Tomintoul is the highest village in the highlands and provides a good opportunity to refuel after the biggest climbs of the day. Tomintoul has a great wee art gallery and the range of Whiskies for sale at The Whisky Castle will amaze anyone. It’s not all downhill after lunch but there are a couple of long descents along Glenlivet then Glen Rinnes to the “Malt Whisky Capital of the World” - Dufftown. Dufftown is home to the world famous Glenfiddich Distillery which has a top-rated visitor centre.

Day 6 : Cycle Dufftown To Elgin 33 Miles / 1512Ft 52Km / 461M

Location: Dufftown, Craigellachie, Fochabers, Spey Bay, Elgin

Meals Included: Breakfast

Much of the flavour of whisky comes from the barrels in which it matures and a visit to the Cooperage at Craigellachie, just four miles out of Dufftown, is highly recommended. One of the most famous whisky names, The Macallan has opened a fabulous new distillery and visitor centre just south of Craigellachie where you can see how the traditions of whisky production are married to modern technology. The route sticks pretty close to the River Spey as you descend steadily towards the coast. Fochabers lies at the halfway mark and here you can visit Baxters Highland Village which is part museum, part shop, part cafe at the home of the Baxters food company or the restaurant at the Walled Garden of Gordon Castle. Continue towards Spey Bay where the river meets the sea. Here you‘ll find the Scottish Dolphin Centre a haven for seals, ospreys, coastal birds and of course dolphins. There’s much to learn and the location is beautiful too. Retrace your tracks to cross the Spey via the old railway bridge. The line once stretched from Elgin to Buckie but closed in the 1960s. Continue along the signposted NCN Route 1 through the village of Garmouth and on to Elgin. Here you visit Elgin Cathedral. The cathedral is mostly ruined but it is still an impressive medieval building with guided tours twice daily and great views from the tower. Close by is Johnstons of Elgin where you can tour this well known textile mill and see how raw cashmere is transformed into beautiful knitwear. Great shop and restaurant here too.

Day 7 : Cycle Elgin To Nairn 38 Miles / 1398Ft 61Km / 426M

Location: Elgin, Hopeman, Burghead, Kinloss, Findhorn, Forres, Nairn

Meals Included: Breakfast

Leave Elgin and cycle along quiet country lanes to the coastal village of Hopeman. Keep an eye out for dolphins again as you follow the coastal path to the nearby village of Burghead where the visitors centre tells the story of the area from its time as a pictish fort through to the herring boom which peaked in the early 1900s. A few miles further on you’ll pass the former air force base at Kinloss. This was once home to the RAF Nimrod anti-submarine squadron and mountain rescue operations. The small aviation museum “Morayvia” is highly recommended with many ex-airmen on hand to tell the story of the interactive exhibits. The route takes a short detour to the eco-village of Findhorn which has a beautiful beach, harbour and small heritage centre. Findhorn is also home to the well known spiritual community of The Findhorn Foundation. Return to Kinloss then pass by the attractive town of Forres, home to the Benromach distillery. From Forres the route again mostly follows the NCN route 1. Brodie Castle is far from ruined and is a great place to see how Scottish nobility lived from the 16th century onwards. The castle has an excellent collection of art and furnishing and an extensive library. You can eat at the castle or at the nearby Brodie Countryfare which has outstanding quality scottish products in its foodhall, clothing, gifts and interiors departments plus an ever popular restaurant. Continue along NCN1 by Culbin Forest to Nairn.

Day 8 : Cycle Nairn To Inverness 36 Miles / 2024Ft 59Km / 617M

Location: Nairn, Fort George, Cawdor Castle, Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness

Meals Included: Breakfast

Nairn is known for its two championship golf courses and the sandy beaches which attract crowds on sunny days. There’s a lot to pack in today with visits to the historic (and current) army base at Fort George, Cawdor Castle, Clava Cairns and Culloden Battlefield along the route you might need to plan your time carefully. Cawdor Castle is a fantastic place to visit to experience what life in a castle is like through history to the present day. There is a fun 9 hole golf course, woodland walks, gardens and restaurant. The Cawdor Tavern in the village serves excellent food too. The route then follows the south side of the Nairn valley and under the impressive masonry arches of the Culloden Viaduct, glimpsed on day one. Visit the prehistoric burial cairns of Bulnuaran of Clava which have long been a source of wonder and have gained international fame recently having featured in Outlander. Nearby lies Culloden Battlefield, site of the last battle fought on british soil in 1746. The top visitor centre shows the timeline of events before during and after the battle in great detail. Follow NCN1 again into Inverness then NCN78 back to the finish at our base in Bellfield Park.

Day 9 : Tour End

Location: Inverness

Today marks the end of your tour.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation is included in the tour package.

  • Daily Breakfast

    Daily breakfast is provided during the tour.

What's Not Included

  • Items of a personal nature

    Items of a personal nature are not included in the tour package.

  • Bike Hire

    Bike hire is not included; please contact us for a quote.

  • Baggage Handling

    Baggage handling is not included; please contact us for a quote.

  • Entrances

    Entrance fees are not included in the tour package.

  • Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

    Anything not mentioned in the itinerary is not included in the tour package.

Mode of Transport

This self-guided cycling tour allows you to explore the scenic routes of the Scottish Highlands at your own pace, with bike hire available upon request.

Accommodation

Enjoy comfortable accommodations throughout your journey, with daily breakfast included to fuel your cycling adventures across the stunning Scottish Highlands.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of wildlife might I see during the tour?

    During the tour, you may encounter a variety of wildlife including red squirrels, wildcats, deer, grouse, birds of prey, and possibly dolphins at Spey Bay. The Highland Wildlife Park is home to species like pine martens, lynx, wolves, owls, and the first polar bear cub born in Scotland in 25 years. ...more ...less

  • Are there any cultural or historical sites included in the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes visits to several cultural and historical sites such as the Highland Folk Museum, Ruthven Barracks, Elgin Cathedral, and Culloden Battlefield. You will also have the opportunity to visit distilleries like Glenfiddich and The Macallan, as well as the Cooperage at Craigellachie. ...more ...less

  • What are some of the unique activities available during the tour?

    Unique activities during the tour include visiting the Landmark Forest Visitor Centre, exploring the Strathspey Steam Railway, and experiencing the TreeZone adventure park. You can also visit the Scottish Dolphin Centre and the eco-village of Findhorn.

  • What is the starting and ending point of the tour?

    The tour starts and ends in Inverness, UK.

  • Is bike hire included in the tour package?

    No, bike hire is not included in the tour package. You will need to contact the tour provider for a quote on bike hire.

  • How long should I plan to spend in Scotland?

    The amount of time you should plan to spend in Scotland depends on your interests and travel style. However, a minimum of 5-7 days is recommended to see some of the top attractions and get a sense of the country's culture and history.

  • What is the food like in Scotland?

    Scotland is known for its traditional dishes such as haggis, neeps and tatties, and fish and chips. There are also many local delicacies such as smoked salmon, black pudding, and shortbread. Scottish whisky is world-renowned and a popular beverage to try while visiting.

  • What should I pack for a Scotland tour?

    Scotland's weather can be unpredictable, so it's a good idea to pack layers and waterproof clothing. Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended for exploring the country's many natural landscapes and historic sites. Additionally, you may want to bring a camera to capture the stunning scenery and landmarks.

  • What is the best time to visit Scotland?

    The best time to visit Scotland depends on your preferences. The summer months (June to August) are popular for their long days and milder weather, but also tend to be busier and more expensive. The shoulder seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) can offer better deals and fewer crowds, but the weather can be more unpredictable.

Reviews of this operator

Virginia Rockwell (Google Reviewer)  

For my trip home to...

08-Oct-2021

For my trip home to the States, I cannot thank you enough for fast results on PCR test from lab Eurofins in less than 24 hours. There are virtually no travel test sites in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland capable of testing and getting results back within 3 days of a flight, and I did not want to rely solely on a rapid test which is less accurate. It took a while to find you, but was so happy I did. Namaste', y'all! ...more ...less

Carol Macleay (Google Reviewer)  

This was a trip of...

11-Apr-2016

This was a trip of a lifetime, incredible architecture & local tour guides with exceptional knowledge...very friendly & accommodating...we stayed in fantastic hotels-all with very high standards of cleanliness, location & staff were superb as were the meals...After touring the north it was time for relaxing in Kerela spent one night on a houseboat and travelled round the backwaters...just stunning...and onto our final destination by the beach. I would highly recommend this whole trip to anyone... a very beautiful country so vibrant colourful & friendly. I would go back in a flash. Julia at Spirit Journeys was extremely helpful giving advice on passport renewal, visa requirements & so much more. ...more ...less

Les Newman (Google Reviewer)  

Spirit journeys have helped over...

21-May-2020

Spirit journeys have helped over the last two years ,I wish we had found them earlier . Nothing is too much trouble ,they are smiley ,kind people .

samah barakat (Google Reviewer)  

Even in short notice Julia...

21-Sep-2024

Even in short notice Julia and her team can organize a fabulous holiday in multiple places and she always with you answering and advising … can’t ask for more Not forgetting Ticket to Ride people in preparing my bike and logistics Definitely much more to come 🩷🩷 ...more ...less

Marina Andrejic (Google Reviewer)  

I went with them on...

02-Jul-2021

I went with them on Scotland Whisky tour and I had the best time ever. They are very organized and agency that provides the best services in Scotland

Patryk Boniek (Google Reviewer)  

Very helpful staff. Plan everything out...

23-Apr-2024

Very helpful staff. Plan everything out perfectly. Would definitely recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Andrew Machado (Google Reviewer)  

Excellent and friendly service from...

28-Oct-2021

Excellent and friendly service from Spirit Journeys, who are one of the few agents in the Highlands capable of quick PCR tests. We were in Scotland to visit family and my parents and I had three separate tests, each of which was sent back within eighteen hours of the samples being taken. The pricing is also excellent (£45) compared to the majority of other providers, which charge a lot more for slower results. ...more ...less

T S (Google Reviewer)  

Ordered several speciality cheeses and...

20-Aug-2024

Ordered several speciality cheeses and black pudding after seeing they were a local company. Worst experience ever!!! Order was delayed by courier, food spent 8 days in transit. When I contacted the company they did nothing, lied about where the package was (told me it was in Lybster and out for delivery when actually it was at a processing hub in Dundee hundreds of miles away!!) and ignored my emails. We tried calling, conveniently went to voicemail. I asked for a refund after around a week of waiting as order had not arrived however this was not answered. The food finally arrived 8 days from drop off at parcel locker, box was danaged and opened on one side and when I opened the box I was surprised to see there was no ice pack/cool pack in there. This meant the cheese and black pudding had been unrefridgerated for 8 days and was warm! As this was for a present for an elderly couple there was no way I was going to give them food poisoning. I emailed this company again stating this and that due to the delay (as Interparcel tracking stated it was a two day delivery) that they could claim their money back due to failing to deliver on time and that I wanted to return these items as they were not fit for purpose. Again no response, very ignorant, rude and downright unprofessional. I emailed again asking for a refund and that should I not get a response I would be seeking to raise a dispute with my credit card company to claim my money back (£32.00). I have since found out from Interparcel that interestingly they do not accept perishable items and therefore the seller would have known this and lied about the contents of the package they were sending. Therefore, they wouldn't be able to claim for any loss of monies. If you are buying from this company use your credit card because then if you are in a similar situation to me you can claim your money back through your bank. I do not believe this company has any form of food safety training at all and I have relayed my concerns to trading standards and the local council for them to investigate. I have received no apology for the inconvenience or replacement of items or offer of refund. They have completely dismissed me. Customer service is shocking!! ...more ...less

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Spirit Journeys Worldwide requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of spirit journeys worldwide charges.

    Up to 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

Scottish Cycling Holiday - Speyside and Moray Self Guided Cycle tour

9 Days Starting and ending in Inverness, UK

Visiting: Inverness, Aviemore, Newtonmore, Grantown on Spey, Grantown-on-Spey, Tomintoul, Dufftown, Craigellachie, Fochabers, Spey Bay, Elgin, Hopeman, Burghead, Kinloss, Findhorn, Forres, Nairn, Fort George, Cawdor Castle, Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield ...more ...less

Tour operator:

Spirit Journeys Worldwide

Tour code:

135

Group Type:

Independent

Specialist Group:

Singles Solo

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Fit

Age range:

18-80

Tour operated in:

English
From: $1641 (USD)

NB: Prices correct on 22-Feb-2025 but subject to change.

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