Great cycling cafes in Scotland

Recently “Cycling Plus” magazine did a feature on some the best cycling cafes in the UK. Unfortunately there were none featured from Scotland, so to remedy that here is a list of some of the best I have been to. This list is not exhaustive and certainly only our opinion. We all have our favourite places to stop, so leave a comment below with your favourite.

1. Corrieri’s Cafe – Stirling. Owned by the Tuscan Corrieri family for over 40 years, this cafe is a regular haunt by cyclists. The pile of bikes outside on a Sunday is testimony to this cafe’s popularity with cyclists. Corrieri’s also sponsor an early season TT and inside paintings of the “Golden Age” of cycling adorn the walls, including a stunning picture of Fausto Coppi.
2. Bridge of Balgie Post Office – Glen Lyon. Possibly one of the most scenic cafe locations. Certainly one of the best rides to get to it. You can either ascend the four mile road that goes over the shoulder of Ben Lawers and drops into Glen Lyon. Or you can head up Glen Lyon from Fortingall. Either way, the cycling is top notch and the cafe provides a fantastic stopping off point to savour some of the best cycling in the UK.
3. Katie’s tea room – Birnam. A regular haunt for Perth United CC and clubs from Dundee and further afield. Katie’s tea room is basic and simple, but cheap and tasty too. Perfect for a stop mid ride.
4. Laggan Wolftrax – Laggan. Part of the Laggan forest MTB trails. the Wolftrax cafe is primarily for MTB riders, but just off the main Dalwhinne – FortWilliam road, provides an ideal stopping off point for road and touring cyclists. It has the benefit of a bike shop next door, as well as a bike wash facility, bike racks and the best off, stunning cheesy beans on toast. What more could you ask for?
5. Escape Route – Pitlochry. A bike and outdoor shop that has a small seating area indoors and outdoors. The shop sells fresh coffee and cold drinks and if you’re lucky you may get some homemade baking too. Bike wash and racks are all available too. Escape Route is the meeting point of several clubs in the area and the central point for a great number of cycling routes in Highland Perthshire. Inside the shop has a great selection of cycling gear that you can peruse.
6. Debbie’s Cafe – Islay. Bruichladdich Mini-Market, known locally as Debbie’s, serves easily the finest designer coffees this side of Milan. It is also the start of the annual Ride of the Falling Rain and the approved coffee stop of Velo Club d’Ardbeg. Thanks to Baz for the info on this.
7. The Hub Cafe – Glentress. Another one for the off-roaders. Thanks to Mark from www.bicycles.org.uk for highlighting this cafe. A great cafe, set amongst stunning trails with lots of stuff going on all year round. Well worth a visit.

Now it’s your turn. Let us know your favourite cycling cafe stops in Scotland.