Looking for beginner tour recommendations in Scotland
06-16-23, 10:39 AM
#1
cycling tourist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Scotland
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Looking for beginner tour recommendations in Scotland
Hi all,
I am planning to go on a tour on a road bike in Scotland this summer, departing from Edinburgh.
I do quite a bit of day-trips but it's my first time planning a multi-day trip, so I'm aiming for a 2-3 days ride to start with. Also I don't have a car so it'd be ideal if the start point is accessible by train.
I was thinking of taking the train and ferry to the Isle of Arran, but not sure how convenient it is. Do you have other good recommendations?
Looking forward to hear your opinions
I am planning to go on a tour on a road bike in Scotland this summer, departing from Edinburgh.
I do quite a bit of day-trips but it's my first time planning a multi-day trip, so I'm aiming for a 2-3 days ride to start with. Also I don't have a car so it'd be ideal if the start point is accessible by train.
I was thinking of taking the train and ferry to the Isle of Arran, but not sure how convenient it is. Do you have other good recommendations?
Looking forward to hear your opinions
06-16-23, 12:12 PM
#2
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,829
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4461 Post(s)
Liked 4,129 Times
in
2,759 Posts
Well you have already started well because if it ain't Scottish, it's CRAAAP! I sadly have not been and really want to so I have nothing great to contribute other than have a great time, take loads of pictures and share with folks here.
06-18-23, 06:15 PM
#3
Junior Member
You could do worse than the Five Ferries Route. Around 2 hours by train from Edinburgh to the start/finish. No need to book bikes on these services. Just turn up.
https://www.fionaoutdoors.co.uk/2016...ies-route.html
72 miles. But working round ferry times. And a few good hills. Doable from Edinburgh in two days. Or make it a 3 day by going round the south end of Arran. Good campside right at the south end.
https://www.fionaoutdoors.co.uk/2016...ies-route.html
72 miles. But working round ferry times. And a few good hills. Doable from Edinburgh in two days. Or make it a 3 day by going round the south end of Arran. Good campside right at the south end.
Likes For rudymartini:
06-19-23, 05:15 AM
#5
cycling tourist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Scotland
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
You could do worse than the Five Ferries Route. Around 2 hours by train from Edinburgh to the start/finish. No need to book bikes on these services. Just turn up.
72 miles. But working round ferry times. And a few good hills. Doable from Edinburgh in two days. Or make it a 3 day by going round the south end of Arran. Good campside right at the south end.
72 miles. But working round ferry times. And a few good hills. Doable from Edinburgh in two days. Or make it a 3 day by going round the south end of Arran. Good campside right at the south end.
Last edited by rudymartini; 06-19-23 at 05:16 AM. Reason: quoting original message
06-19-23, 05:25 AM
#6
cycling tourist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Scotland
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I saw that it's possible to catch a train back to Edinburgh from Wemyss bay, so it's good to know that I can skip the last leg depending on how tired I am at the end of the 2 days.
06-19-23, 05:37 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,475
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 179 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5902 Post(s)
Liked 3,521 Times
in
2,102 Posts
Scotland is beautiful. One thing to keep in mind is that climbing with a fair amount of extra weight (depending on how much you bring) has its challenges. You may want to factor that into your daily mileage goal depending on how much climbing you plan on doing.
06-20-23, 09:11 AM
#8
Junior Member
It makes sense. That is the busiest road of the ride. It is there because most peole drive to the start so need to end in the same place. Not a problem for you.
