Scotland Active Journeys Escorted tour Cycling
Tour descriptions and distances
Day 1 Arrive Oban Day 2 50 km Mull Island Day 3 60 km Salen Floating Adventures: Scotland Day 4 50 km These incredibly beau ful and mountainous regions of Scotland are a sight to behold. Here Tobermory the breath-taking splendor of rugged mountains combined with serene lakes has earned the Day 5 50 km Highlands the reputa on of being one of the most scenic regions in Europe. Though the Lochaline - Ft. William Highlands are sparsely populated, they have a fairly high concentra on of striking Sco sh Highland castles which dot the landscape. Day 6 50 km Caledonian Channel Explore Fort William, earning the tle of UK's Outdoor Capital or the golden sand beaches. Day 7 sailing Watch the playful stumblings of puffins edging on a sheer cliff. The absence of humans has Caledonian Channel meant that the isolated areas thrive with seals and whales, and birds you've never seen before. Speaking of rare specimens, there are the locals; tougher than their shaggy highland
Day 8 cows and best encountered by the warm hearth of a highland pub. Oban
This is the perfect stage for a bike and sail tour through the Highlands and Islands of Scot- land. Riding on quiet country roads and where you will more likely be to run into sheep than cars. Treat yourself in the evening to a glass of whiskey in one of the pubs and listen to the ever-present Sco sh music. Help the crew with the sails on your two-masted top-schooner or simply watch out for dolphins and whales, and let the grandiose landscape glide by. Tour Details 2017
Dates: June 4, 11, 18 August 13, 20, 27 September 3
Fact Sheet E-Bike Info : Cost: $2495 per person Single Supplement: On request Includes : • E-bike rental: $325 Length: 8 days / 7 nights • 7 nights in double cabin with ensuite • Limited supplies on boat, so reserva- tions recommended Bike rental: $175 • All breakfasts, 1 lunch and 6 dinners on board • CUBE model available (German made) Grade: Moderate / Intermediate • Route notes & maps, guide Starts / Ends: Oban
Ac ve Journeys Contact: 1-800-597-5594 or 416-236-5011 Email: info@ac vejourneys.com Day 1 Arrive Oban Arrive Oban with 17:00 embarka on and your first dinner on board.
Day 2 Mull Island: Craignure - Loch Buie—Craignure 50 km A er breakfast, you sail to the island of Mull. A er unloading our bikes we ride at Duart Castle, the ancestral home of the Sco sh McLean clans. A er a short tour of the site, you can opt to have lunch in the tearoom or for those who feel more energe c can take a longer cycle trip and join the tour guide heading for Loch Buie. In this impressive natural landscape you may catch a glimpse of o ers, golden eagles and stags.
Day 3 Mull Island: Craignure - Salen 60 km Today we take in the spectacular beauty of Scotland’s natural scen- ery. The route takes you through hilly terrain and along the coast. Behind every bend in the road, another breathtaking view opens up. We share the road with virtually no cars, only with sheep and shaggy highland ca le grazing peacefully in the bright green meadows. Along an ever-changing coastal road, you bicycle past Loch Na’ Keal to Salen, where the boat awaits for our crossing to Tobermory Bay where you may enjoy dinner in an original Sco sh pub.
Day 4 Mull Island: Tobermory - Salen - Lochaline 50 km Today, you discover the northern part of the island of Mull. A er a drink in a cozy tearoom we head for the brilliant white beach of Cal- gary Bay and its crystal clear water. Our way back leads us across a marvellous high valley ll we meet the shoreline shortly before Salen offering astonishing views as well as some unexpected very inter- es ng ships wrecks. Our ship awaits us again in Salen for a li le crossing to Lochaline on the Morvern peninsula, where we stay on anchor over night.
Day 5 Morvern: Lochaline - Fort William 50 km Early in the morning, we cross to the Sound of Mull. A er a first as- cent, you reach an almost traffic-free road on the highlands. The trail runs along the hills, with babbling mountain streams and moorlands as your back drop. Then back to the coast where you ride along the rocky coastal road to the ferry landing at Corran. The boat anchors in the first lock of the Caledonian Channel, where it can lie undisturbed by the des. You can choose to go to Fort William, where you can drop in to the numerous cozy pubs in the lively pedestrian zone.
Day 6 Caledonian Channel 50 km At first we ride on a rela vely flat route to the foot of Ben Nevis and the Caledonian Channel. The first highpoint of the cycle tour is Nep- tune’s Staircase, the longest chain of locks in Great Britain. In eight consecu ve locks, the ships nego ate an eleva on difference of 20 m. Con nuing along the Canal you reach the shores of the first lake, Loch Lochy. On the way back to the boat, you cross a mountain ridge, which offers a fabulous view across the highlands. A er a meal en route, you return to the boat, which remains in Fort William for an- other night.
Day 7 Caledonian Channel and Oban The boat casts off for the last me and you start the fairly long trip across the Firth of Lorn in order to return to Oban. Prior to the Cap- tain’s Dinner, you s ll have me for a stroll around Oban, where McCaig’s Tower, a never completed replica of the Colosseum in Rome, is well worth a visit.
Day 8 Disembark and return home A er breakfast individual departure or group transfer to the Edinburgh airport.
I nerary Changes We reserve the right to make changes to the i nerary, depending on wind and weather condi ons or organiza onal requirements.
What to Expect Getting There What will the weather be like? Fly into Edinburgh or Glasgow with The weather will be sunny and warm, summer months may be typically quite cool most airlines. From there take a train (22-5C or 70’sF). Evenings may s ll be colder since there is a breeze from the seas. or bus to Oban.
How many hours of cycling a day? We organize a group transfer to/ You are looking at between 3 and 6 hours a day. Some of the rides may be hilly as from the boat in Oban: we ride along the coast. You can opt out any day. Edinburgh Waverley train station (17:30) / Edinburgh Airport (18:00) How fit do I need to be? €35 per person The fi er the be er, the more enjoyment you will have from the trip. Most people get a bit saddle sore the first few days. It is hilly, not very steep and mostly quite Oban to Edinburgh Airport (07:00 to do-able, but s ll not a flat terrain. reach flights starting from 12:00)
€35 per person What are the accommoda ons like? All cabins have two beds, always with a shower, toilet and sink. The common areas The transfer to Oban takes three are comfortable and open for you to enjoy, either on deck or below. It is a real hours. sailboat, so cabins are small and it has bunk beds as shown here, not twins beds.
How to book your holiday
• Contact our office to make sure there is space available. One of our travel planners will walk you through the en re process.
• Download the reserva on form from our site and send in completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space is confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent.
• A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due 60 days prior to the trip departure. Terms & condi ons are outlined in our Reserva on Form. Extras: • Plan your air travel as soon as possible. Unlimited bottled water flat rate 20£ per person paid to the captain person paid to the captain • We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either through us or a travel insurance provider directly. Meals ashore • Ensure you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact us, for Tips for crew and guide more informa on on vaccina ons, inocula ons, and fitness require- ments.