Island Hopping on a bike

Self-guided tour: 8 days/7 nights

One of Scotland’s greatest scenic assets is its famous Western Isles. Some very remote, often a haven for wildlife and birdlife, very little explored by the tourist due to the lack of accommodation, limits the numbers of people which can visit.

The itinerary

Day 1:  Arrival on a Saturday or Sunday
Arrive in Ardrossan and transfer to Arran on the ferry which takes around 1 hour. Car parking is available in Ardrossan and also a direct train service from Glasgow to the docks.

Day 2: Brodick 28 miles (45 km)
Arran has it all, mountains, coastal cliffs, pan flat roads that’s why its
Scotland in miniature. before setting off visit the 13th century castle and gardens or the Arran distillery. The road south provides 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. Across the Kintyre peninsular to catch your second ferry to Port Askaig on Islay. On arrival on Islay you will only be a few miles from your hotel.

Day 4/5: 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: 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 to Arran to 36 miles (57 km)
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 Your tour is completed after breakfast or extension of your trip.
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.