The group will meet at Glasgow International Airport (GLA) in order to transfer (45 minutes / 25 Miles) to the ferry that leaves from the port of Ardrossan on the North Ayrshire coast in southwestern Scotland. The ferry journey is around 2hrs 45 minutes and will take you across the Firth of Clyde and past the Isle of Arran to Campbeltown.

It’s a short distance from the port to our accommodation with time set aside for bike fitting here in preparation for tomorrow’s first day in the saddle. Evening meal taken at a restaurant / pub in Campbeltown.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1150 Metres Approx.

Our journey begins on the beautiful peninsula of Kintyre in peaceful Campbeltown. Once proclaimed ‘the whisky capital of the world’ it is located on a deep bay sheltered by Davaar Island and the surrounding hills – a fitting place to start our ride.

There’s little time for warming up the legs on this initial day as we are straight into things pretty much from the off. Whilst the road is quiet, it’s certainly got some short and steep ‘cheeky climbs’ as it edges its way along the dramatic coastline of the Kilbrannan Sound and affords you wonderful views across to Arran.

After Skedaddlin’ past the aptly named Saddell (with its 17th Century castle), we continue to the hamlet of Claonaig where we turn inland to ride across Kintyre to Kennacraig. From here it’s pretty much downhill all the way to Tarbert. Situated on the west shores of Loch Fyne, Tarbert is a bustling little place and an ideal spot to spend the night with a nice harbour for a little leg-stretch after your day in the saddle.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 900 Metres Approx.

Certainly less hilly than yesterday, today’s ride is nevertheless as, if not more, spectacular with minimal traffic on the quiet rural roads. Re-tracing our pedal strokes out of Tarbert, we are soon in the dramatic scenery of Knapdale – one of Scotland’s 40 National Scenic Areas. Identified as an area of exceptional scenery to ensure protection from inappropriate development, it’s easy to see why it made the grade.

Meandering our way around the peninsula, we’ll be setting our sights on Lochgilphead where we end the day. For those up for a wee challenge, the gravel section above Loch Fyne is a must or should you prefer a smoother way into town, then there is a good road option as well. Situated at the apex of Loch Gilp (an offshoot of Loch Fyne) the town grew in importance following the opening of the nearby Crinan Canal and today remains a popular base to explore Kintyre. With its eclectic mix of old buildings, shops, pubs and small ‘eateries’ you’ll not get a better slice of real rural Highlands life!

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,550 Metres Approx.

Following a couple of days of fairly challenging riding, our initial miles along the towpath of the Crinan Canal are a welcoming start to the day as we head into the wonderful Kilmartin Glen. Considered to have one of the most important concentrations of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in Scotland, the area is scattered with ancient monuments, standing stones and burial cairns, some of which we’ll visit during our morning section of the ride.

On reaching the immense Loch Awe, we’ll be following its western shore. Raising the bar somewhat is this truly awesome (no pun intended!) section of the Caledonia Way. Whilst very narrow in places, it’s well surfaced with continual steep ups and downs testing the legs and honing the concentration. For many, this section will no doubt rank high on the highlights of the trip with a very well-deserved coffee and cake stop at Dalavich providing sustenance just at the right juncture.

The roller-coaster ride then continues (though less demanding) until Annat where we head northwards away from the loch. From here on in, the scenery becomes more pastoral with the route winding its way through large stretches of farmland. Make sure you keep an eye out for the Hairy Coos during this section!

A very cheeky climb ends the exertions for the day and as always, what goes up must come down with the descent towards Oban a great way to end today’s ride. Badged as the Gateway to the Islands and the seafood capital of Scotland you’ll not go hungry tonight with lots of great places to eat along the coast.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1200 Metres Approx.

Another day of gorgeous views and fabulous riding ahead of us! After edging our way along the coastline to get the legs moving, our tyres are treated to a traffic-free cycle route between Loch Creran and Loch Leven for around 20 miles with much of the path built along the former railway line from Connel to the slate quarries near Ballachulish.

It’s a truly wonderful and largely flat route that meanders its way along and with only the odd steep section to contend with, you’ll be eating up the miles. Leaving the cycleway (close to Corran) we cross Loch Linhe from Nether Lochaber to arrive in Ardgour just ten minutes later.

From here we keep pedalling alongside the loch for another 20 miles before catching our second ferry that takes us from Camusnagaul to Fort William where we stay for the evening. Situated “beneath” Scotland’s and the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis (1345m), it’s a busy little place with no shortage of establishments for a wee dram or to tuck into some Highlands fayre.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 905 Metres Approx.

This day has a bit of everything terrain-wise to contend with. Starting gently out of Fort William, we are soon beside Scotland’s longest inland waterway, the Caledonian Canal, and following the course of the Great Glen, a stunning 100km long narrow valley that cuts through the Lochs of Oich, Lochy and Ness.

At Clunes we leave the flat of the canalside behind for a while and head along the forest road through Clunes Wood. Whilst certainly an off-road section, it isn’t too technically demanding (even for those not used to off-road riding) with the trail wide.

After Laggan Locks, we enter the forest again to take the path north of Loch Oich via Invergarry, enjoying undulating gravel forest tracks and single-track paths. Popping out of the trees at Aberchalder, we rejoin the canalside towpath for the final 5 miles to Fort Augustus.

Situated on the most southern tip of Loch Ness on the Great Glen Way, this historic and scenic hamlet is where we’ll stay, with our evening meal taken at one of its small restaurants.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 850 Metres Approx.

Our final day on the bikes is a real cracker and will certainly end the trip in style. With only a few hundred metres to warm up the legs, we are soon tackling one of the classic Scottish climbs as we head up Glendoe which at just over 5 mile in length climbs around 366 Metres / 1200ft over the distance.

Your reward, however, is an equally long stunning descent (with no turns) that will flip your grimace into a grin as you speed down this wide road before continuing on to the Falls of Foyers, situated on the southern shores of Loch Ness. Our final 20 miles take us beside Loch Ness (monster spotting, anyone??) before our final rural roads lead us into Inverness. Congratulations!! You’ve Skedaddled the Caledonia Way and it’s time for celebrations after a week of incredible cycling and scenery.

• Meals: Breakfast

Transfer back to Glasgow Airport (GLA) where you pick up your cars, hop on a train, plane, or perhaps extend your holiday. This is an amazing drive with breathtaking scenery, allowing you a few more photo opportunities before we bid you farewell. For those who travelled up to Glasgow by train, Inverness offers great connections without the need for returning to Glasgow for onward connections. *For those travelling by train to London Euston, you may wish to depart from Inverness on the Caledonian Sleeper.