Self-guided cycling
6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
14.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
Few places stir the imagination like Loch Ness; a jewel which sparkles even amid the other wonders in the vault of natural beauty that is the Highlands. Arguably the dwelling place of Scotland's wild and wistful soul, the atmosphere here will surround and envelope you like a blanket of the finest tartan. But it's not all about Ness and the elusive beastie that continues to defy seekers. Here a host of smaller lochs appear to hold the sky beneath their surfaces and ancient ruins languish at the water's edge. Battlefields long silent and castles made famous by Shakespeare sit side-by-side with woodland that is home to a dazzling array of wildlife, including golden eagles, red kites, ospreys, pine martins and red deer. The misty peaks and vast, fern covered landscapes only add to the sense that this is a place where history and folklore remain largely inseparable.
Take in the tranquil Caledonian Canal as it winds along through the rugged landscape up to picturesque Fort Augustus at the south edge of Loch Ness. Cycle on quiet roads across moorland and visit Cawdor, where Macbeth plotted his unnatural deeds on your way to Nairn. Visit the beaches and head to the eco-village of Findhorn before returning to the Highlands capital of Inverness via Fort George and Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie saw his hopes dashed.
Arrive in the waterside town of Inverness. Visit the castle with its 360 degree view over the Highland capital.
You stay at Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa.
Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Safe
Tea/coffee
Opposite Inverness Castle, Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa is located on the banks of the River Ness. Only a 5-minute walk from Inverness city centre, this hotel offers a swimming pool, leisure club, spa and free WiFi.
Each en-suite room has a flat-screen TV, radio and tea/coffee making facilities. All rooms also feature a private bathroom with a power shower and hairdryer. The accommodation is located in either Victorian properties or garden cottage. Some rooms overlook the castle and river.
Guests have free use of the Palace Leisure Club & Spa’s indoor pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub. Beauty treatments are available in Sleeping Beauty Spa, and there is a modern on-site gym.
The Brasserie offers informal lunch and evening meals, whilst restaurant Eight on the River offers evening dining and a hot and cold breakfast buffet. You can enjoy Afternoon Tea along with Matthew Algie Freshly Ground Coffee in the refurbished River View Lounge.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
A transfer takes you to Gairlochy from where your route follows the Great Glen Way as it criss-crosses the Caledonian Canal and snakes effortlessly to Fort Augustus. En route you'll pass beautiful forest, peaceful rivers and brooding Loch Lochy whose sparkling waters and steep-forested hillsides give a fjord-like feel to the landscape. Your final stretch follows the foaming River Oich. You stay tonight in Fort Augustus at the southern tip of Loch Ness.
You stay at The Lovat.
MastercardAmExHairdryerWiFiTV
MinibarSafeTea/coffee
The Lovat is an award-winning eco-conscious hotel, situated on the southern tip of Loch Ness. The beautiful Victorian building with authentic decor is located in the loch-side village of Fort Augustus and has a restaurant which, in 2007, was named a Top 10 Restaurant in Scotland by the Press and Journal. It was recently awarded three AA rosettes for culinary excellence.
Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.
Spend the day at Fort Augustus, visit the Caledonian Canal Centre and watch the boats maneuvering the locks or head out on a cruise of Loch Ness to visit Urquhart Castle.
You stay at Sunny Brae.
MastercardVisaHairdryerWiFiTVTea/coffee
Situated in the heart of Nairn and not far from the local beach front, Sunny Brae is family run bed and breakfast which has 8 en suite bedrooms with either a sea or garden view. Nairn is an excellent base from which to explore a variety of castles, gardens and places of historic interest.
A transfer takes you along the Loch to Dores. Cycle quiet country roads between Lochs Ashie and Duntelchaig. Pedal past the impressive Nairn viaduct to visit 14th Century Cawdor Castle, the setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth. Continue onto Nairn, known for its two championship golf courses and sandy beaches, where you stay for the next two nights.
Today's route is an out and back route allowing you to do as much, or little as you like. It mainly follows signposted NCN routes to the Findhorn which has a beautiful beach, harbour and small heritage centre. Findhorn is also home to the well-known spiritual and ecological community of The Findhorn Foundation. Along the way pass Brodie Castle to see how Scottish nobility lived from the 16th century onwards, the attractive town of Forres, home to the Benromach distillery. Close to Findhorn is the former air force base at Kinloss, 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.
There is a lot to fit in today so an early start would be wise. Starting along the shore head first to the spectacular historic barracks and Highlanders Museum at Fort George. The route then passes the pretty waterside hamlet of Loch Flemington then follows the south side of the Nairn valley and under the impressive masonry arches of the Culloden Viaduct, the largest stone bridge in Scotland. Visit the Prehistoric Burial Cairns of Bulnuaran of Clava which have long been a source of wonder. Across the river and up the hill lies Culloden Battlefield, site of the last battle fought on British soil in 1746. The excellent visitor centre shows the timeline of events before, during and after the battle in great detail. Ride on into Inverness for your final night.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.
Please contact our sales team on 01606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.
Self-guided cycling
6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
14.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
