- Overview
- Itinerary
- Key Places
- Essential Info
- Accommodation
- Book Now
Scotland Self-Guided Cycling Holiday
This self-guided cycling tour explores Scotland’s far north, a vast wilderness of heather-clad hills, sea cliffs and ancient glens. Starting in Inverness, the route crosses the Black Isle to Cromarty before following quiet coastal and inland roads past historic towns, whisky distilleries and wildlife-rich nature reserves.
Riding west toward Lochinver and Ullapool, the scenery grows ever more dramatic, with rugged mountains, sparkling lochs and Atlantic coastline unfolding at every turn. After a rest day in Ullapool, the journey continues past Corrieshalloch Gorge and along the shores of Loch Maree before finishing at Achnasheen, a fitting end to this remote and rewarding Highland adventure.
Achiltibuie
The remote village of Achiltibuie, can only be accessed via hilly and twisting single track road. It represents the north west of Scotland from a bygone era before new roads forged pathways across the landscape. Your efforts to get here are rewarded by the beautiful natural mountain and coastal scenery.
It is the best known of a number of small settlements around the coast of western end of the Coigach Peninsula overlooking Badentarbet Bay to the west. Loch Broom and the Summer Isles (Tanera Mor, Tanera Beag and a couple of dozen smaller islands) that are no longer permanently inhabited, lie to the south. Some of the islands can be accessed from the pier at the north-western end of Achiltibuie.
The village lies to the south of the Northwest Highlands Geopark. It is a National Scenic Area and forms the northern boundary of the newly designated Wester Ross Marine Protected Area.
Inverness
Inverness lies at the north-eastern end of the Great Glen (Gleann Mòr). The city is the area’s largest metropolis and regarded as the capital of the Highlands. Meaning ‘mouth of the river Ness’ in Gaelic, the city is located where the Ness River flows out of Loch Ness into the Moray Firth (famous for its resident pod of Bottlenose dolphins). Inverness is near to two key historic battle sites: the 11th-century battle of Blàr nam Fèinne against Norway which took place on The Aird to the west of the city and the 18th-century Battle of Culloden (the last battle fought on British soil). Inverness Castle now stands were, legend has it, was once the seat of 11th Century Gaelic king Mac Bethad Mac Findláich who murdered king Donnchad Mac Crinain, as fictionalised by Shakespeare in ‘the Scottish play’.
There are many other historic buildings, notably in the Old Town and Victorian Market. St Andrew’s Cathedral, built from Red Tarradale stone, with a nave of five bays, divided by columns of Peterhead granite, has an imposing position on the River Ness. You can take a circular walk from the castle along the river and through the Ness Islands. Other attractions in the city include Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, tropical gardens at Inverness Floral Hall and a Titanic Inverness Maritime Museum.
Lochinver
Lochinver, in the Assynt district of Sutherland, sits amidst a spectacular scenery of dramatic high cliffs, waterfalls and hills. The Assynt Hills are reported to be the oldest in Britain and contain some of the great mountains of the north such as Suilven, Canisp, Quinag and Ben More Assynt.
Lochinver is Scotland’s’ second largest fishing port, a key industry to the local community. In the 1990s the harbour area was rebuilt and developed. The village is situated where the River Inver flows into the loch with dramatic views back across to Suilven’s peak and is a popular destination for hill walkers’, climbers and nature lovers. Local Birdlife includes the curlew, oyster catcher and hooded crow.
The Black Isle
The rolling landscapes of the Black Isle peninsula make a distinct contrast to the craggy mountains of North West Scotland. The Black Isle was once covered in dense forest. The population of the area is around 12,000. This watery headland is surrounded by the Cromarty Firth to the north the Beauly Firth to the south and the Moray Firth to the east (famous for its resident pod of Bottlenose dolphins which can be most easily seen from Chanonry Point between Fortrose and Rosemarkie).
The Black Isle was one of the first areas of the highlands to experience the clearances. The area had its own dialect used mainly by the fishing communities this died along with its last native speaker Boggy Hogg in 2012.
The isle is home to 2 distinctive RSPB nature reserves Fairy Glen an enchanting habitat of woodland songbirds and wild flowers and Udale Bay where you’ll find migratory pink-footed geese.
Ullapool
Located on the eastern shores of Loch Broom. Ullapool is a distinctive white fishing village designed and built in 1788 by Thomas Telford and the British Fisheries Society. The town is also the terminus for the ferry to Stornaway.
Although a small community of 1500, Ullapool is the largest settlement in the area and an important port and tourist destination. If the weather is good there are many walking routes in the area from coastal routes to inland footpaths. If you it is not so good the town has a beautiful museum based in a Grade A listed building where you can find out more about crofting, fishing, the “klondykers and other local history. There are also many inviting pubs in the town you can retreat to.
Itinerary
Your redspokes self-guided Scotland cycling tour begins in the Highland capital, Inverness. Flights to Inverness are routed from destinations across the UK and Europe. There are good coach and rail links to Inverness as well. From the airport, coach and rail stations taxis are readily available to take you to your hotel. For details see Essential Information as well as your Joining Instructions. On arrival, you have a free afternoon to explore the area. You could visit Inverness Old Town, the Victorian Market or St Andrew’s Cathedral or take a circular walk from the castle along the river and through the Ness Islands.
You will be met at 6pm this evening at your accommodation by a redspokes representative with introductions and a tour briefing for your forthcoming self-guided tour.
Accommodation: B&B
The first day of your cycling tour from Inverness to Loch Ness starts with a gentle ride along mostly flat terrain for the initial 20 kilometers. The route gradually climbs as it reaches Dores, offering beautiful views of the loch. However, the real challenge begins after Foyers, where the profile reveals a series of steep ascents, peaking at around 300 meters. The demanding climbs reward cyclists with panoramic views before rolling over undulating terrain. As the route nears its end, there’s a long, exhilarating descent back to Inverness, a perfect way to wrap up the first day’s ride with a rush of speed and satisfaction.
Cycling Distance: 72 km (45 miles)
Cycling Ascent: 570 m (1,870 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B)
The first part of our day is a ride to Chanonry Point on the scenic Black Isle, one of the best coastal vantage points for observing dolphins, seals and porpoises. From here you continue to Cromarty, the Highlands’ best preserved historic town, where we take a ferry to reach Nigg. Known as ‘The King’s Ferry’, this route was taken by King James IV on pilgrimage to the shrine of St Duthac at Tain. This is one of the smallest car ferries in the world.
From Nigg you cycle to the village of Shandwick, passing the ancient Shandwick Stone, which is in a glass case on your left, before the run down into the village. You continue, riding through farmland via Balnagall. You drop downhill to reach a long straight, level road, then cross a railway line before making another climb back up into the ancient town of Tain where you stop for the night. There is a museum in Tain, and a display telling of the ancient kings of Scotland who visited this place.
Cycling Distance: 68 km (42 miles)
Cycling Ascent: 541 m (1,775 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B)
You start today’s self guided ride by passing the famous Glenmorangie distillery before crossing the Dornoch Firth on the A9 bridge. Next, you reach Dornorch, an Edwardian resort town. You ride up the coast northwards to Skelbo, cycling along the water’s edge following Loch Fleet inland. The area is a Scottish heritage nature reserve. The tidal basin is home to a wide range of habitats and species. You cross over the river at the tip of the loch and continue riding inland climbing over the next 9 miles to reach Muie, your route continues to follow the River Fleet. You ride a short drop before climbing again to your high point of the day before dropping down to reach your hotel at Rosehall.
Cycling Distance: 63 km (39 miles)
Cycling Ascent: 379 m (1,425 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B)
This morning your self-guided tour continues as you ride along back roads through lovely, wooded scenery beside the river Oykel. The Oykel flows down the slopes of Ben More and through an ice-gouged valley. This is a particularly rugged area of the Western Highlands and includes several nature reserves that foster a responsible connection between visitors, communities and natural environments. After approximately 25 miles you cycle alongside Loch Borralan before turning north towards “The Bone Caves” which are certainly worth a visit. They are a series of natural caves located high on a limestone cliff, Creag nan Uamh (Crag of the Caves). From here it’s fairly flat for 15 miles to reach your accommodation at Lochinver.
Cycling Distance: 64 km (40 miles)
Cycling Ascent: 594 m (1,950 ft)
Accommodation: B&B (B)
Tucked into the Assynt coast and nestled between dramatic mountain backdrops, Lochinver is a peaceful fishing village on the western shores of Scotland’s Highlands. With a population of around 650, it remains a small but welcoming community and offers an ideal base for a rest day, rich in both natural beauty and local character.
Historically, Lochinver developed as a herring port in the 19th century and today is still home to a busy harbour, supporting both local fishing and visiting boats. The harbour remains the heart of the village and offers scenic views of Suilven, the iconic sugarloaf-shaped mountain that dominates the Assynt skyline.
From Lochinver, there are several rewarding short rides or walks suitable for a rest day. Just a few miles away, the white sands of Achmelvich Beach offer turquoise waters and a striking contrast to the rugged coastline—perfect for a picnic or a refreshing dip.
If you have more eneregy a short cycle or hike futher takes you to Clachtoll Beach, known for its dramatic rock formations and ancient geology, part of the North West Highlands Geopark. For a more relaxed outing, stroll around the village, visit the Assynt Visitor Centre, or enjoy coffee and freshly baked treats at the famous Lochinver Larder, renowned for its hearty pies.
Accommodation: Hotel (B)
You’ll be riding a series of climbs and descents as you cycle south from Lochinver to Inverkirkaig where you skirt round the bay before heading inland again, following a stretch of water known as Elder’s Pool and then cross over the River Kirkaig. You climb again and head back downhill to Loch An Arbhair. You reach the coast and follow the waterside for a short while before riding back inland with more climbs and descents to reach Loch Osgaig. On a fine day you’ll have a clear blue sky view out to sea. You continue for a few miles on flat terrain to Loch Ra and then ride uphill to begin our loop around Achiltibuie.
From Achnahaird you set off in an undulating anti-clockwise direction; you ride on to Althandu and Polbain crossing moorland with little other than abandoned stone crofts and grazing sheep around you with views of the Summer Isles across the water, before you reach Achiltibuie. In Gaelic, romantically, Achiltibuie means ‘field of the yellow-haired boy’ and is one of the five fields that are collectively known as the area Coigach: an oasis of peace and scenic beauty.
You head on up passing Loch Ra and Loch Vatachan before you retrace our tracks passing Loch Osgaig again and take a twisting road climbing to Drumrunie with a few drops as you ride alongside Loch Bad a’ Ghaill and Loch Lurgainn with the dramatic Stac Pollaidh peak to our left. From Drumrunie you turn southwest towards Strathcanaird from where you continue making a steep descent enjoying clear views of the Coigach Hills. You reach the coast again just before Ardmair before one final uphill ride of the day before you roll down into Ullapool.
Cycling Distance: 74 km (46 miles)
Cycling Ascent: 915 m (3,004 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B)
You start the day cycling along Loch Broom, then turn and begin cycling inland and uphill along the Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve. This is a beautiful, forested area where the river Droma rushes along a series of tumbling waterfalls.
You continue cycling on a downhill ride back to the coast reaching the banks of Little Loch Broom and Gruinard Bay, enjoying beautiful scenery. From here the ride continues along Loch Ewe and just before arriving at Poolewe, a visit to Inverewe Gardens, a unique Atlantic coast botanical garden is a must. This area is a good place to spot red squirrels, red deer, otters, golden eagles and sea eagles.
Cycling Distance: 79 km (49 miles)
Cycling Ascent: 998 m (3,275 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B)
Your last day of cycling is rewarded with a scenic ride to the picturesque village of Gairloch. Set amidst rugged moorland it has some of the prettiest scenery in the whole of the British Isles. A few miles from here, you get views of Loch Maree, named recently as one of Britain’s favourite scenic views in a national newspaper poll. Dotted with 30 islands and bordered by the mass of Slioch (3,215 ft) to the north and ancient Caledonian pine forest to the south, its home to the Black-throated divers, Sea Eagle, Otters and Red Deer, that are known to swim from the mainland. Your cycling finishes a few miles further on at the remote village of Achnasheen where you will be transferred by train back to Inverness. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, arriving into the city around 4.30pm.
Cycling Distance: 56 km (35 miles)
Cycling Ascent: 672 m (2,205 ft)
Accommodation: B&B (B)
Your self-guided Scottish cycling tour officially ends this morning.
(B)
Essential Info
The Essential Information for this tour is currently unavailable.
Accommodation
The Far North self-guided tour features a welcoming mix of comfortable B&Bs, small hotels and traditional Highland guesthouses. Each stay is chosen for location, character and friendly local hospitality — the perfect match for this remote and dramatic corner of Scotland.
You’ll stay in charming, family-run properties such as Springfield Guest House, Woodland B&B, Poolewe Hotel, and Inverness House. Standards vary slightly in the most remote areas, as expected in the Highlands, but every property offers a comfortable place to unwind after a day on the bike, with personal service and an authentic local feel.
Expect:
- Comfortable, welcoming B&Bs and small hotels with plenty of Highland charm
- En-suite rooms wherever available, and thoughtfully furnished spaces
- A personal experience, often hosted by local families who know the area well
- Beautiful settings ranging from coastal villages to peaceful woodland and glen-side houses
- Hearty Scottish breakfasts and friendly hosts who enjoy looking after cyclists
Accommodation Level: comfortable
See our Accommodation Grading page for more details.
