View Gallery

Scotland Bike Tour

Edinburgh, Cairngorms & Medieval Castles

Cycle through the heart of Scotland, through mountain passes, misty glens and timeless villages steeped in Highland tradition and royal legacy.

6 days, 5 nights

Casual Hotels

See itinerary with Luxury Hotels

Activity Levels 2-4

Couples, Friends & Solos

Also Available for: Families with Teens & 20s

From $5,099 - $5,299/person

Itinerary Where You’ll Stay What to Know Bikes Reviews

Compare

Saved

Save

View Dates & prices

Snapshots from the Trip

Trip at a Glance

Highlights

Ride through Perthshire’s gentle glens to Royal Deeside’s regal villages and be immersed in Scotland’s rich culture and natural beauty
Meet a local farmer and learn about Highland farming at a traditional sheepdog demonstration
Enjoy fresh, seasonal Scottish cuisine—from thoughtfully prepared picnics to chef-designed meals featuring local produce and seafood
Stay in elegant estates and riverside lodges, including a castle-like country manor and a retreat on the River Dee
Pedal through Cairngorms National Park and descend into royal villages surrounded by peaks and history

Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.

Start Edinburgh Airport & Travel Details

Journey from Edinburgh through the rolling glens and castle-dotted hills of Perthshire
Ride a section of a noteworthy long-distance cycling route along the River Tay Way, through rolling farmland and stone-built villages
Settle into your historic manor hotel, which was home to generations of Scottish nobility and whose grand interiors and original details make the place feel like a private castle.

Murrayshall Hotel

(Deluxe Hotel, 1 night)

Activity Options & Terrain

Rustic, stone building with a blue flag on top, with a grass field in the back

Hotel lobby entrance with a counter and blue and white chairs and tables to the left

Outdoor patio with woven chairs and glass tables, with large bushes and trees in the background

Building corridor with a large staircase to the left and a chair to the right

Library with cushioned chairs and large windows along the walls

Night 1

Murrayshall Hotel

Scone

Deluxe Hotel

Home of the Graham-Murray family for more than 260 years and now a hotel, this 17th-century estate blends country elegance with a sense of living history—complete with castle-like interiors, beautifully landscaped grounds and timeless Perthshire charm.

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Ride peaceful country lanes into the Highlands
Explore Aberfeldy, home to one of Scotland’s finest bookshops and a relaxed café culture
Pedal deeper into the Highlands beneath the cone of Schiehallion, the “Fairy Hill of the Caledonians” and a site studied in the 18th century to help calculate the mass of the earth
Ride quiet roads along the shores of Loch Rannoch, passing ancient forests, open moorland and misty peaks reflected in the still water
Stop to enjoy the tranquil surroundings with a cuppa and a fresh-baked dainty
Drink in views of forested hills and serene waters at our lakeside retreat.

Loch Rannoch Hotel, Estate and Spa

(Casual Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Exterior view of white hotel building with a red staircase in front

Lobby with brown cushioned sofas and blue furniture

Two chairs next to a small coffee table full of pastries and cups of coffee

Dining table with dark blue sofa and wine glasses on the table

Exterior view of white hotel complex, surrounded by tall trees with a lake on the ground level

Nights 2-3

Loch Rannoch Hotel, Estate and Spa

Perthshire

Casual Hotel

Nestled amid 250 spectacular acres on the banks of Loch Rannoch, this luxurious resort exudes Highland character and hospitality. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Immerse yourself in the Cairngorms National Park, a vast wilderness of old-growth forests, mountain passes and roaming red deer
Look for salmon leaping on the River Feugh, a vivid reminder of the region’s rich natural larder of farm and seafood
Take on Gairnshiel Pass, loved by cyclists for its dramatic scale and breathtaking views of mountains and open moorland
Descend into Braemar, a village long favored by the British royal family and home to the annual Braemar Gathering, Scotland’s most famous Highland Games
Ride through the Victorian towns of Ballater and Aboyne and pass the gates of Balmoral Castle, the royal family’s beloved summer home
Meet a Highland farmer and watch skilled sheepdogs at work, learning how they help manage flocks across the rugged landscape
Enjoy fresh seasonal Scottish cuisine, where chefs showcase the best of Aberdeenshire’s land and sea.

Banchory Lodge

(Casual Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Exterior view of white and gray hotel building, with a grass field and river in front

Outdoor patio and garden with cushioned, gray chairs around wooden tables

Dining area with art pieces on the wall, with cushioned sofas and dining tables

Dining area with multiple, circular tables and cushioned chairs, with a staircase to the right

Exterior view of white and gray stone building with a small black fence in front

Nights 4-5

Banchory Lodge

Banchory

Casual Hotel

Overlooking the River Dee in the heart of Royal Deeside, this stylish Georgian retreat pairs relaxed luxury with a serene countryside setting.

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

End Aberdeen Airport & Travel Details

Start
End
Overnight stay
Trip direction

View & Download

This trip has an activity level range of 2-4

Route & Terrain Notes

The terrain on this trip includes a mix of rolling woodland, high moors and sheep pastures with some short, steep hills and some extended climbs and descents through hill and dale. Although we bike on small, quiet roads and bike paths whenever available, there are sections of road with fast-moving traffic and minimal shoulders. Routes include some rough single-lane roads, short sections of gravel and occasional cobblestones in the villages. Conditions such as rain, headwinds and bumpy roads can make routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest.

Day 1

Biking

Level 1

15 miles

500 ft. gain

Level 2

23 miles

1200 ft. gain

Day 2

Biking

Level 2

29 miles

2000 ft. gain

Level 3

38 miles

2500 ft. gain

Level 4

49 miles

3300 ft. gain

Day 3

Biking

Level 2

16 miles

800 ft. gain

Level 3

33 miles

1400 ft. gain

Level 4

55 miles

2100 ft. gain

Day 4

Biking

Level 2

19 miles

1100 ft. gain

Level 3

26 miles

2000 ft. gain

Level 4

46 miles

3000 ft. gain

Level 5

57 miles

3500 ft. gain

Day 5

Biking

Level 2

21 miles

1600 ft. gain

Level 3

31 miles

2700 ft. gain

Level 4

49 miles

3900 ft. gain

Day 6

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

3 miles

200 ft. gain

View Dates & Prices From $5,099/person

What to Know

What's Included

See Everything Included

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Climate & Itinerary Changes

Talking about the weather is a national pastime in Scotland, where the climate is famously unpredictable and dramatic. Summers are generally mild but can change rapidly due to its northern latitude, maritime climate and mountainous landscape. Microclimates can bring sun, wind, fog, sleet and rain—all in the same day (or even the same hour!). Some days may be cold and rainy from morning until night, while an unexpected heatwave can send temperatures soaring. Be sure to pack warm layers and waterproof gear for each day of your trip.

Trusted by Travelers Since 1979

7,000+ 5-star reviews.
Your Day, Your Way

Route and activity options to match your pace and preferences.
24/7 Local Support

Experienced leaders on every trip backed by a dedicated service team.
Never Outsourced

Expert trip design rooted in five decades of local knowledge and relationships.
Small Groups

More access, flexibility and connection, with an average of 14 guests.