Welcome to Hooked on Cycling Holidays and our wonderful biking vacation in Scotland around some of Scotland’s most beautiful Islands. Our Scottish cycling holiday takes you around the Islands of Arran, Islay, Jura and Colonsay. This particular cycling holiday is available as a self guided cycle tour which we have graded as level 2. Cycling around the Scottish Islands is a unique experience, feel the natural environment, the nature and then often remote feeling Island life offers. All the Islands offer a unique experience , Islay is Scotland’s Whisky Island with numerous famous distilleries, Jura is pure nature and remote lifestyle, Arran offers superb and varied landscapes and Colonsay some of the best beaches. You will be staying in 2/3 star hotels and guest houses or you can upgrade to 3/5 star guests houses.

Available 20th May - 20th September
Level 2 self guided tour

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival on a Saturday or Sunday
Arrive in Ardrossan and pick up your rental bikes. Then transfer by ferry to Arran which takes just under the hour.

Day 2 Brodick 28 miles (45 km)
The Isle of Arran has it all, mountains, coastal cliffs, rolling and flat roads, that’s why many people say that Arran is a Scotland in miniature. Before setting off on today’s cycle ride why not visit the 13th century castle and gardens or the Arran distillery. The road south provides you ever changing views. Small villages intermix the cycling view points. Lamlash provides the link to Holy Island. where a ferry can be caught to the monastery still occupied by Bhuddist monks. Head back across the ‘String’ the link road across the centre of the island.

Day 3 Brodick - Lochranza - Cloanaig - Kennocraig -Isle of Islay 16 miles ( 24 km)
A day to cycle and relax on ferries, after the climb over to Lochranza, visit the castle and then catch the ferry to Cloanaig. Then it is back on your bike for the short ride across the Kintyre peninsular to catch your second ferry from Kennacraig to Port Askaig on Island of Islay.

Day 4/5 Day trip to Isle of Colonsay 20 miles ( Wednesday’s only)
Catch the ferry at Port Askaig to Colonsay in the morning. Colonsay being 10 miles long will allow you to explore most of the Island. Cycle to Ornasay across the tidal causeway to visit the ancient priory. The north section of Colonsay has some of the finest beaches in the Western Isles. Catch the evening ferry back to Islay.

Day 4/5 Day trip to Isle of Jura various up to 40 miles (up to 64 km)
Today a short ferry crossing to the Island of Jura. On Jura navigation is easy, there is only 1 road. The Island of Jura is populated by some 5000 deer and 250 people. Jura House can be visited with some wonderful walled gardens and exotic plants. The road east gradually gets smaller and smaller until eventually turning into a footpath. Here you will feel you have reached nowhere and the solitude will be something you will remember for ever. For a short additional trip visit Finlaggan near Ballygrant on your return to Islay, the home of the ancient seat of the Lord of the Isle’s, the rulers of the Western Isles once the Vikings had been removed.

Day 6 Islay - Port Askaig to Port Ellen 36 miles ( 57 km )
Today you will explore by bike the north west of Islay, known as the Rinns of Islay before cycling to the south of the Island. Today you will pass the Bruichladdich distillery before arriving in Port Charlotte. Then to the north coast and a wonderful sandy beach for a picnic, pass the wildlife centre , rural life museum or RSPB centre then cycle the quiet lanes south to Port Ellen.

Day 7 Isle of Islay south coast 6-20 miles (9-32km)
Today there are a few options, for whisky lovers heaven has arrived in Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg, for those wanting to cycle , the coastal road to Claggain Bay passing Kildalton cross is totally stunning or if you are into Golf then just outside Port Ellen is Islay’s only Golf course.

Day 8
After breakfast you will take the 9.45 am ferry from Port Ellen to Kennacraig, back on your bike you shall cycle across the Kintyre peninsular to Cloanaig. Then it is back on the ferry to the Island of Arran and your last cycle ride to Brodick this time along the not yet explored north west coastline, where you shall catch the ferry around 19:00 back to Ardrossan where you shall hand back you bikes.

From Ardrossan there is a train service which leaves after each ferry arrival back to Glasgow where extra nights are available.

Bike rental: We believe we have the best rental bikes available in this region , 24 speed hybrids , racing bikes and tandems.

Tariff 2010

How to get there
By air , train , bus to Glasgow or by air to Prestwick where we can arrange transfer to Ardrossan. By car to Ardrossan where parking is available. A train service is available from Glasgow to Ardrossan .

Click Below to view our
Walking Holidays in Scotland

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