Mountain-Beach 2007 - Scotland-Hebrides

Mountain biking in Scotland is as diverse as the scenery, from rolling pine forest trails to lung-busting climbs and amazing descents. For the real off-road enthusiast Scotland is simply as good as it gets.

Scottish mountains may seem like mere hills compared to our trips across the Andes or New Zealand, but the potential for rapidly changing weather demands respect from the most experienced mountain biker and a high altitude bike ride here is a serious proposition during any season. With this in mind, most of our Scottish tours take advantage of the settled periods and long days of late spring/early summer and the warm early autumn of September/October. However, we offer shorter breaks throughout the winter months from our base in Dornie on the West Coast where rides will be at a lower level on Skye, Raasay and Wester Ross.

Our programme offers both challenging and more relaxing tours, but if you fancy fresh air, ever-changing landscapes and the chance to escape the crowds, then Scotland is for you.

We offer you a choice of 10 great MTB trips, 2 for Tourers and a Road specific trip. The Knoydart adventure, C2C (coast to coast-some say cake to cake!), Skye and Isle of Harris tour ,and K2K(Kyle to Kyle )and West Coast centre based holiday in Dornie have the most challenging mountain biking, whilst the Distillery tour is a more relaxed version of the C2C! The Hebrides has 3 challenging day rides but has a generally laid-back 'feel' to it, as does the Sutherland and Wester Ross trip, whilst the Orkney Isle’s and Shetland Isle’s trips are aimed at exploring these diverse landscapes by bike with many of the days equally suited to biking on a Tourer.

Accommodation

Our accommodation has been carefully selected over many years to represent the best in each location. We use good quality Hotels and Guest House’s where there’s always a warm welcome. Most also offer very appetising evening meals -perfect if you just want to relax after the days ride!

What's included?

Trips include accommodation on a twin share basis (single rooms can be arranged), transfers from Inverness, lunches and teashop stops plus any necessary ferry fares between islands .For the Orkney and Shetland Isle's trips we include all historical site entrance fees. A support vehicle is on hand on each trip to carry bags and arrange picnics and other necessary stops. For Knoydart bag portage is included also.

Your guides

All are based in the Highlands of Scotland and have detailed knowledge of the terrain. Biking with them you can be sure of discovering the best trails on offer for each trip from amazing single tracks to more leisurely scenic routes. With two generations of experience in the Scottish mountains biking, climbing and walking you are in good hands!

Travel arrangements

For guests arriving by air or rail the start/finish point is Inverness. Here you will find excellent air and rail connections. Please contact us if you require assistance with flights. Guests arriving by car need to contact us to arrange secure parking at Dornie on the West Coast. . For the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland Isle’s trips it is possible to arrange to fly direct; please contact us to discuss your preferred travel arrangements. For all trips via Inverness airport there is the option to hire a car from www.invernessairportcarhire.co.uk giving the flexibility to extend your stay in Scotland and do a spot of sightseeing.

Got a group of you?

We can offer any Scottish trip/short break to you and your friends exclusively on any date throughout the year providing there is a minimum of 4 guests. Again, contact us to discuss your requirements.

Short Break trips

Need a quick fix of top-notch biking? Then let us take the hassle out of finding it! We have regular 4 night all-inclusive trips based in either Dornie, on the west coast. Or the Cairngorms. Trips will include airport transfers to/from Inverness, Hotel and top quality guesthouse accommodation and all meals, guides, bikes and vehicle back up. These trips are available for £479. All you need do is book a return flight to/from Inverness and turn up ready to ride! Each trip will be from Thursday evening to Monday throughout the year.

Mega Demo Bike Week

If you are undecided on which new bike to purchase why not join us on April 16-23 and ride a different bike every day on the terrain they were designed for? There will epic bikes from Titus, Turner, Yeti, Santa Cruz and anything else stocked at the Sshokwave emporium! Group size will be limited. Centre based in Dornie.

ORKNEY and SHETLAND ISLES'S

2 great trips to the ORKNEY and SHETLAND Isle’s. Without doubt, these islands will amaze you! Crammed full of ancient sites, teaming with wildlife and surrounded by some of the UK’S best seascapes, what better way to experience them is there than by bike? The riding may be moderate, the scenery certainly isn’t! We can accommodate both MTB riders or those on a Tourer.

SKYE and ISLE of HARRIS

Explore stunning Skye and the Isle of Harris. 6 of the best rides you'll ever do in awesome surroundings! The UK bike press rave about Sligachan on Skye (which is very good) but let us show you something utterly memorable!

MTB Trip Prices and Departure Dates

C2C –Coast to Coast

Firmly established as a 'classic' journey across Scotland, our C2C is quite unlike any other. We have, we believe, the best route (virtually NO tarmac) and the flexibility to offer alternatives as the weather or ability dictates.

Trip dates; April 23-30, April 30-May7, May 7-14, 14-21, June 4-11, 11-18, July9-16Aug 13-20, Sept 3-10, 10-17, 17-24, Oct 1-8, 8-15.
Other dates may be arranged to suit you throughout the year
Hotel £679, B&B £579

K2K-Kyle to Kyle

From Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyle of Durness this trip has some wonderful biking in a truly 'wilderness' landscape. Similar to our other trip on the west coast in location only, we follow some quite awesome trails northwards to end at Durness, and with time permitting a ride over to Cape Wrath. Don't ask about the route though, we are keeping this a secret!

Trip dates are June 4-11 and Aug 6-13 other dates may be arranged to suit you throughout the year Hotel £699 or B&B £599

KNOYDART.

Some more of the toughest biking we do in Scotland or anyplace else! There are no roads into this really wild and remote location; its either go by bike, swim or take a boat. Since the first option is the one we favour you can expect some hard days in the saddle days in the saddle with possibly the best scenery Scotland has to offer. Accommodation is very scarce (but excellent) and we promise you stunning trails! Trip dates are May 7-14 May 21-28 but for groups of 6+ we can arrange other dates to suit. Hotel/guesthouse B&B accom. £699 inc.bag portage.

Lochalsh, Skye and Raasay

Every Saturday from March 19 throughout the year. Hotel £679.B&B £579

Distillery Tour by Bike

June 18-25 and July 2-9 Other dates may be arranged to suit you throughout the year Hotel B&B £679,Guesthouse B&B £579

Outer Hebrides

June 18-25 (inc. the longest day), August 6-13 and September 3-10. Other dates may be arranged to suit you throughout the year Hotel B&B £729

Skye and Isle of Harris

July 10-17 (Sun to Sun) Hotel B&B £729 Other dates may be arranged to suit you throughout the year

Sutherland and Wester Ross

August 20-27 Other dates may be arranged to suit you throughout the year Hotel B&B £699, Guesthouse B&B £599

Orkney Isles

June 25-July 2 Hotel accommodation £789 Other dates may be arranged to suit you throughout the year.

Shetland Isles

July3-10 Hotel accommodation £789 Other dates may be arranged to suit you throughout the year

Road and Touring Trips

ROAD-West and North Coast

With a starting point of Kyle of Lochalsh we aim for Durness before heading east along the top of Scotland to John O'Groats and down to Tain. Long days in the saddle and some memorable climbs, particularly 'The Pass of the Cows' over to Applecross. Awesome scenery is guaranteed, quite roads (generally!) and a back-up vehicle for your security. Governed as much by accommodation as daily distances this if a full-on bike ride! Trip date June 11-18 Other dates may be arranged to suit you throughout the year Hotel B&B £699, Guesthouse B&B £599

TOURING-West and North Coast

A much more leisurely pace than the Roadie's trip, this can done over 7 or 10 days to suit your timescale. Daily distances are more moderate and there are other non biking options and sights to see. We end the 7 day trip in Durness and the 10 day version in John O'Groats before transferring to Inverness. Trip date is June 25-July 2 or 5.Other dates may be arranged to suit you throughout the year Hotel B&B £699(7nights) or £899(10 nights)Guesthouse B&B £599(7 nights)or £759(10 nights)

TOURING-Western Isles and West Coast

Starting with a scenic ferry journey to Barra from Oban, we meander our way through the Outer Hebrides northwards past Eriskay, the Uists and onto the 'Big' Isle of Harris and Lewis. There are plenty of other attractions from ancient sites (standing stones), the Blackhouse village and wonderful scenery as we head to Stornoway and by ferry to Ullapool on day 7 where we can arrange transfers. Otherwise its onwards and upwards to Durness and Cape Wrath. Our vehicle is always on hand carrying everything you need so all you have to worry about is where the next coffee shop is! Tip date is August 20-27(7 nights) or to 30(10 nights).Other dates may be arranged to suit you throughout the year Hotel B&B £729(7nights) or £949(10 nights) Price inc. all ferry fares and transfers.