Scotland Family Bike Tour
Edinburgh, Cairngorms & Medieval Castles
Cycle through the heart of Scotland, across mountain passes, misty glens and timeless villages steeped in Highland tradition and royal legacy.
We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.
See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.
From $5,099 - $5,299/person
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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
- Visit historic Braemar for a private Highland Games demo and riverside walk beneath forested peaks
- 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, past 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.
Night 1
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 serene surroundings with a cuppa and a fresh-baked dainty
- Drink in views of forested hills and serene waters at our lakeside retreat.
Nights 2-3
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 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 bounty of farms 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
- Walk riverside trails along the Dee and its lovely tributary, Clunie
- Watch a private demonstration of Highland Games from a longtime friend and athlete
- Enjoy fresh seasonal Scottish cuisine, where chefs showcase the best of Aberdeenshire’s land and sea.
Nights 4-5
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 Edinburgh Airport & Travel Details
This trip has an activity level range of 2-4
All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
All accommodations on your Backroads trip
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Expertise and services of Backroads Trip Leaders
Fully equipped Backroads titanium bike, Wahoo GPS device, helmet and accessories
Bike fitting and equipment support throughout your trip
Backroads On Trip App with route maps, elevation profiles, daily snapshots and more
Additional local guides and experts, plus equipment for included activities as detailed in your itinerary
Exclusive activities, tours and cultural experiences, as detailed in your itinerary
All luggage transfers and porterage during your trip
Snacks and beverages between meals
Private cocktail and wine receptions on the first and last nights of your trip
Choice of Backroads cycling jersey, t-shirt or hat, plus water bottle and luggage tag
Detailed Travel Planner with destination tips and pre-trip information
