Welcome to the west coast of Scotland and the Hebridean islands
Fàilte gu costa an iar na h-Alba agus Eileanan Innse Gall
Our spellbinding Hebridean Island Hopper cycling holiday is a journey through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. It is a guided, fully supported tour across the islands of the Inner Hebrides and wild west coast of Scotland where rugged mountains, fractured coastline, sea lochs and Gaelic culture meet.
Dotted with picturesque villages, ancient castles, and white sandy beaches, these parts of Scotland possess a unique mix of Gaelic traditions, wildlife, and unspoiled beauty.
Hebridean Island Hopper
Introduced in 2024, our Hebridean Island Hopper guided cycling holiday departs from Oban and weaves its way north across Scotland’s rugged west coast and the celebrated Inner Hebridean islands of Mull and Skye.
Scotland’s historic west coast
Our Hebridean Island Hopper cycling holiday
Our Hebridean Island Hopper tour is an exceptional experience, riding along some of the most scenic roads on Scotland’s west coast and the islands of the Inner Hebrides.
This spectacular route begins on Mull, rolling northward before hopping to the mainland. From Kilchoan, it traces the coast and crosses to the legendary Isle of Skye, returns briefly to the mainland, then sweeps back to Skye once more before looping to the mainland for the final stretch. (Still with us?)
The iconic Mam Ratagan pass and the otherworldly Quiraing punctuate the ride, while four ferry journeys across glittering sounds and sea lochs link the chains of this breathtaking adventure together.
This itinerary is brimming with wild landscapes, Gaelic culture and a deep sense of history that spills from every beach, loch and rock. In short, it is about the journey rather than the destination.
Our itinerary is flexible and we offer options to lengthen or shorten the amount of time you spend on the saddle each day.
Prices include
Logistics
Pre-trip logistics and planning. Every detail of your trip taken care of for you.
Accommodation
All accommodation for the duration of the holiday.
Food
Half-board including breakfast, snacks and three-course evening meals.
Support
Expert guided support from our local guides and our unique customised vehicles.
Record
A dedicated trip experience app, packed with information, notes and detailed GPS files for each day of cycling.
Transport
Luggage transfers, ferry crossings,
end-of-trip transfers.
Testimonials
What our guests say about the Hebridean Island Hopper
Cycling in the Hebridean Islands: travel day
Day 1: Arrive in Oban
THE GATEWAY TO THE ISLES
Known as the gateway to the isles, Oban is known for its stunning waterfront, seafood restaurants and vibrant harbour. It’s the perfect place to begin your Hebridean Island Hopper vacation.
The start hotel is a five-minute walk from the railway station and has a long-term car park. Your guide will meet you at the Skinny Tyres van in the car park from 3 pm.
We highly recommend taking your bike out for a short spin to ensure that everything is in working order after travelling to Scotland. Routes around Oban will be included with your trip notes.
There is a welcome briefing for the whole group at 7 pm, then everyone dines together at 7.30 pm.
On the road to discovery:
Local points of interest include McCaig’s Tower and the 13th century Dunollie Castle.
The panoramic views of Oban from McCaig’s Tower are especially spectacular at sunset.
Founded in 1794, Oban Distillery is one of Scotland's oldest remaining distilleries. It is situated close to our hotel in the heart of town and runs daily tours.
Cycling in the Hebridean Islands: riding day
Day 2: Oban to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull
THE WILD WEST COAST OF MULL
You start early today with a 45-minute ferry journey to Craignure on the south-east corner of the Isle of Mull.
The spectacular views on Mull are on a par with those of the Isle of Skye and Mull has the added bonus of having fewer visitors.
After unloading the bikes from the van, you ride west towards Loch Beg on a long, undulating climb towards Ishriff and the Three Lochs viewpoint.
From Loch Beg, the road skirts the northern shore of Loch Scridain and continues northwards to Loch Na Keal. Here, the single-track road hugs the coastline and to your right, the steep slopes of Ben More tower above us. Standing at 3269 ft / 966 m, Ben More is the highest point and only Munro on Mull.
Your journey continues around the western edge of the island, where the dramatic scenery is ever-changing and on towards the white sand beach of Calgary Bay. Here you head inland, cycling eastwards to the iconic fishing port of Tobermory, famed for its colourful buildings and working distillery.
66 miles
(106 km)
4688 ft
(1429 m)
Explore
Terrain and challenges:
Today’s route is entirely on single-track roads with passing places. The coastal sections are undulating so over the full distance you accumulate an impressive amount of climbing.
On the road to discovery:
After years of persecution, sea eagles were driven to extinction in the UK in 1918.
A reintroduction programme started on the Isle of Rum in 1975 and ten years later the first wild chick fledged on Mull. Today the Isle of Mull is a stronghold for the species.
Cycling in the Hebridean Islands: riding day
Day 3: Tobermory to Mallaig via Ardnamurchan and Moidart
JACOBITES AND JACO-BIKES
Today, you encounter some of the most beautiful coastal roads in the UK as you cycle through Ardnamurchan, Moidart and Morar. The coastline is rugged and undulating, with a primordial feel. You ride in and out of the temperate rainforest of oak, birch, and ash with its mosses, ferns and lichens clinging to the rocks and hanging from branches of oak, birch, and ash trees.
You start the day with a short ferry journey across the Sound of Mull to Kilchoan. From here, there is an option to ride an out-and-back route to the most westerly point on the British mainland – Ardnamurchan Point Lighthouse. (Incidentally, this lighthouse marks the end point of our Coast to Coast cycling holiday.)
From Kilchoan, you head east, climbing in a series of steps to a viewpoint below the summit of Beinn nan Losgann. If the sky is clear, you will have your first view of the Isle of Skye and the Black Cuillin on this trip.
The descent to Loch Sunart is spectacular! The question is: will you let yourself be carried away by the downhill thrill, or will you stop to take photographs?
Onwards, into Moidart. Surrounded by lochs and coastline, Moidart, almost an island itself, is only connected to the mainland by a few narrow sections of land.
The last section of your ride takes you along the pristine white sand beaches of Arisaig and Morar, which were immortalised in Bill Forsyth’s 1983 film Local Hero.
You end your day in the bustling fishing town and ferry hub of Mallaig.
62 miles
(100 km)
5896 ft
(1792 m)
Explore
Terrain and challenges:
A mix of single-track roads with passing places, quiet B-roads, and coastal rollers to start with.
Later in the day there is an 8-mile / 13 km stretch on a busier road. The van will be situated at the start of this section to give you a lift if you prefer not to cycle it.
On the road to discovery:
Among the many train services in Mallaig is the famous Jacobite Steam Train. The Jacobite runs between Fort William and Mallaig, passing through an area of great scenic beauty including alongside Loch Eil, Glenfinnan Viaduct and Arisaig.
Cycling in the Hebridean Islands: riding day
Day 4: Mallaig to the Kyle of Lochalsh via Mam Ratagan
OVER THE SEA TO SKYE
You head across the Sound of Sleat on a short ferry journey to the Isle of Skye today. This is the first of two visits to Skye on this trip.
Straying from the tourist routes your cycling adventure takes you into a landscape of mountains and water.
Landing in Armadale on the Isle of Skye, you soon set off on the road less travelled where views of Elgol and Loch Scavaig open up before you. The Black Cuillin rises out of the water like a leviathan, and place names like Tarskavaig, Skeabost and Talisker hint at a time when longships sailed around these coastal waters.
Your afternoon riding incorporates two ancient passes. Firstly, a superb climb over the Bealach Udal on Skye, then a second sensational climb over the Bealach Ratagan on the mainland. Both passes have spectacular views into the rough bounds of Knoydart and towards the Five Sisters of Kintail. Between them lies the Kylerhea ferry, which is the world’s last manually operated turntable ferry.
Beyond Shiel Bridge and Loch Duich you climb once more into the hills of Kintail above world-famous Eilean Donan Castle. This is perhaps one of the most photographed castles in Scotland and features in many movies.
Your day in the saddle ends at the beautiful hotel in Erbusaig, just north of Kyle of Lochalsh, where you stay for two nights.
63 miles
(101 km)
5755 ft
(1754 m)
Explore
Terrain and challenges:
The majority of the route is on single track roads with passing places.
Today’s route is spectacular with a lot of climbing, with a total of approximately 15 miles (24 km) of ascending road.
There are two sections (5 miles and 3 miles) on a busier road. You have the option of a transfer in the van along these sections.
On the road to discovery:
Following the Jacobite rebellion of 1745, and their defeat at Culloden in 1746, the victorious Hanoverian army was stationed in barracks across the Highlands of Scotland in readiness for any future uprisings. The Bealach Ratagan led to Bernera Barracks in Glen Elg.
Cycling in the Hebridean Islands: riding day
Day 5: The Trotternish Peninsula on the Isle of Skye
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DINOSAURS
Today, you head back onto the Isle of Skye to sample the delights of the Trotternish Peninsula and the Quiraing.
The day starts with a 45-minute transfer to the historic Sligachan Inn, at the foot of the Black Cuillin on the Isle of Skye. You then head westwards on your bike to Loch Harport. From there, the road turns north to Trotternish.
If you choose to climb to the summit of the Quiraing, you ride up hairpins at the base of a series of rock pinnacles that poet Alexander Smith described as "a nightmare of nature".
Descending from the Quiraing, you head south along the 20 miles of Trotternish escarpment. Names like Old Man of Storr, The Needle and The Prison attempt to describe the rock formations and erratic topography that epitomise the landscape here. En route, you might want to visit the Staffin Museum in Ellishadder to see dinosaur fossils found on the escarpment.
Continuing south, you pass the Kilt Rock viewpoint and waterfall, and the Old Man of Storr, before arriving in Skye’s capital, Portree. There is time to explore the town before the 60-minute transfer back to the hotel in Erbusaig.
71 miles
(114 km)
5727 ft
(1745 m)
Explore
Terrain and challenges:
A mix of single-track road and single-carriageway road.
Aside from the Quiraing there are no specific climbs, but expect a significant accumulation of ascent over the miles.
On the road to discovery:
In 2002, a woman walking her dog on An Corran beach discovered footprints of a three-toed carnivorous Megalosaurus, a predatory dinosaur of the Mid-Jurassic period.
A short detour off our main route will take you to An Corran beach where you can see these prints at low tide.
Cycling in the Hebridean Islands: riding day
Day 6: Kyle of Lochalsh to Shieldaig over the Bealach na Ba
THE HOLY GRAIL OF CLIMBING IN THE UK
We can't think of a better way to finish this amazing week of riding.
Your final day of riding takes you over the impressive Bealach na Ba or pass of the cattle. This 6.2-mile stretch is the longest road climb in the UK, so we hope there’s still some kick in your legs!
Leaving Erbusaig you trace the shore of Loch Carron to Lochcarron village. A short warm-up climb heading west drops you at the head of Loch Kishorn and the climb proper starts shortly afterwards at Tornapress, where you cross the river.
The gradients are gentle initially but steepen noticeably as you enter the jaws of the corrie, Coire na Ba, where the imposing rock walls flanking you add to the scale of the landscape. It is hard to take your eyes off the hairpin bends at the intimidating head of the corrie. Upon reaching them, you have conquered the worst of the ascent and can enjoy the majestic views that they offer, looking back to Loch Kishorn, 2000 ft / 610 m below.
From the summit, you descend to Applecross and a glorious roller coaster of a ride around the peninsula to tonight’s hotel, nestled in a sheltered bay and surrounded by towering Torridon peaks, in the village of Shieldaig,
The week of cycling is over, and all that remains is to celebrate with a dram and regale your week of adventures through this amazing part of Scotland.
63 miles
(101 km)
5984 ft
(1823 m)
Explore
Terrain and challenges:
Avg. gradient of 7% with a max. gradient of 15%.
Although this is a challenging undertaking, don’t let the stories intimidate you! We are there to support and encourage you.
On the road to discovery:
Simon Warren, author of 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, wrote of the Bealach na Ba “This is it: The Holy Grail, the toughest and wildest climb in Britain. Anything you have read or been told about this amazing road is likely to be true. For once, you can believe the hype.”
Cycling in the Hebridean Islands: travel day
Day 7: Transfer from Shieldaig
Departing from the hotel at 9 am, you will be transferred safely to Oban where your Skinny Tyres road cycling holiday ends.
The 145-mile road transfer lasts nearly four hours. There is a scheduled half-hour comfort stop at Emily’s Byre in Invergarry. You arrive in Oban at approximately 1.30 pm.