At the start of this Caledonia Way cycle holiday, the group will meet at Balloch in order to transfer to Campbeltown.

We will take the journey through the beautiful Scottish scenery, making some stops along the way to take in the sights.

On arrival into Campbell town there will be time set aside for bike fitting in preparation for tomorrow’s first day in the saddle. Our evening meal will be taken at the hotel in Campbeltown.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1000 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 and on to the impressive Skipness Castle, with a stunning beach overlooking the Isle of Arran. We then turn inland to ride up and over 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 after your day in the saddle, with a nice harbour on Loch Fyne.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 840 Metres Approx.

Certainly less hilly than yesterday, today’s ride along the Caledonia Way 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: 1,075 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 and along to Taynuilt. From here on in, the scenery becomes more pastoral with the route winding its way through Glen Lonan with large stretches of farmland. Make sure you keep an eye out for the Hairy Highland Coos during this section! We then descend into Connel; the loch-side village on the Firth of Lorn, where we stay for the evening, and get to enjoy some lovely seafood. If you have the time, it’s worth exploring the spectacular Falls of Lora; the naturally occurring tidal rapids under Connel bridge, which occur as the tide flows out at the narrow mouth of the loch.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 605 Metres Approx.

Another day of gorgeous views and fabulous riding ahead of us! We start the day by crossing the impressive Connel Bridge before 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: 460 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 follow undulating gravel forest tracks on the east shore of Loch Oich. Popping out of the trees in 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: 680 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

After our final hearty Scottish breakfast of the trip, we start our return journey home. Transfers to the train station or airport at Inverness, or back to cars in Balloch will be provided. This is an amazing drive with breath-taking scenery, allowing you a few more photo opportunities before we bid you farewell.