Coast to Coast
O chrìoch an ear gu crìoch an iar, tro chridhe na Gàidhealtachd
From east coast to west coast through the heart of the Highlands
From the golden sands of Montrose beach to the iconic lighthouse at Ardnamurchan Point, the Coast to Coast route offers an unforgettable cycling journey through the heart of Scotland. The scenery unfolds in a sweep of contrasts as fertile farmland gives way to the rugged peaks of the Cairngorms National Park, before descending through deep glens to the glimmering reach of Loch Ness.
This is countryside shaped by ice and water, where mountain, moor and loch meet beneath vast skies. Crossing Scotland from coast to coast showcases the rich variety of its landscapes, which feel both timeless and alive.
Coast to Coast
Our Coast to Coast cycling tour starts in the east, crosses the Highlands and follows the Great Glen to the most westerly place on the British mainland.
Scotland’s ever-changing landscapes
Our Coast to Coast cycling holiday
From the east coast on the North Sea, this journey sweeps across the rugged Cairngorms National Park to the most westerly point on mainland Britain.
It winds through ancient Caledonian pine forests, climbs some of the UK’s highest public roads, drops into dramatic, glacially carved Highland glens and flows through Speyside’s whisky country.
With an overnight stay in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and a tranquil stretch along the Caledonian Canal from Fort Augustus to Fort William, the route takes you through some of Scotland’s most iconic locations, yet always along the road less travelled.
The final leg unfolds through one of Scotland’s most remote and scenic cycling regions. Sea lochs, hidden bays, and temperate Celtic rainforest line the road to Ardnamurchan Point.
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.
Reviews
What our guests say
Cycling Scotland coast to coast: travel day
Day 1: Arrive in Montrose
THE NORTH SEA SHORE START LINE
Tucked between the coast and a wildlife-rich estuary, Montrose is a bustling harbour town with a wide sweep of sandy beach, a historic high street, and a proud maritime past. It’s the perfect launch point for your Coast to Coast adventure.
The start hotel is a five-minute walk from the railway station. If you're driving, you may leave your car in the hotel car park until the end of the trip.
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. A selection of warm-up rides around the area are included with your trip GPS files.
There is a welcome briefing for the whole group at 7 pm. Everyone dines together at 7.30 pm in the hotel.
On the road to discovery:
In Montrose Harbour stands a statue of a Norwegian national hero: Sea Dog Bamse.
This 14-stone St Bernard became a global mascot for the Royal Norwegian Forces and a symbol of freedom and inspiration for Allied troops throughout Europe during WWII.
From 1940, his ship, the Thorodd, operated out of Montrose, where Bamse was known and loved by all the locals. He was even given his own bus pass.
Cycling Scotland coast to coast: riding day
Day 2: Montrose to Ballater
FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MACBETH
You start your Scotland Coast to Coast cycling holiday dipping your toes in the North Sea and posing for an all-important photo. You then thread your way through town on the cycle path to Hillside, where the gradients start to show their teeth a little.
Heading inland towards Brechin, you follow a quiet, scenic back road past the impressive Dalhousie Memorial Arch near Edzell. Then things start to get serious as you head towards Fettercairn and the formidable climb that is the Cairn o’Mount.
A dramatic descent leads you into Royal Deeside and the Cairngorm National Park. Cycling through birch and pine forests with glimpses of the River Dee, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve left the world behind. The day ends in Ballater, a bustling wee town with a main street lined with shops bearing the royal warrant.
Terrain and challenges:
Beautiful rolling countryside with one major climb, the Cairn o’Mount.
On the road to discovery:
For centuries, travellers have crossed the Cairn o’Mount. Records suggest that Macbeth and his army marched this way to their final defeat at the Battle of Lumphanan in 1057.
The road rises to the summit, where vast views sweep over Angus and the Mearns, and a prehistoric round cairn rests among the heather.
Cycling Scotland coast to coast: riding day
Day 3: Ballater to Nethy Bridge
FROM ROYAL DEESIDE TO WHISKY-DRENCHED SPEYSIDE
Today you pass numerous whisky distilleries on your route through the heart of Speyside. This stunning section of the Coast to Coast route traverses moorlands, ancient pine forests, peaceful back roads, and classic Highland climbs.
Leaving Ballater you follow an undulating route that rises over Gairnshiel and descends into Donside. Then you are confronted with The Lecht. This is a demanding, sustained ascent over the second-highest road pass in the UK. It is one of the featured climbs of our Snow Roads cycling holiday.
From the summit, you descend to Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands.
Leaving the Caringorms behind, you cross exposed uplands before drifting gently down through the heart of Abernethy Forest to the wooded haven of Nethy Bridge.
Terrain and challenges:
Lots of climbing as you head over the second-highest paved road in the UK, The Lecht.
On the road to discovery:
Speyside is renowned for its whisky, with more than fifty distilleries producing around half of Scotland’s total output.
Cycling Scotland coast to coast: riding day
Day 4: Nethy Bridge to Inverness
INTO THE WILDS OF THE MONADHLIATH MOUNTAINS
Leaving Nethy Bridge, you cycle deep into Caledonian pine forests toward the untamed Monadhliath Mountains, following quiet roads past occasional Victorian hunting lodges.
You ascend onto open moorland before a long downhill stretch to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. Enjoy the views of Loch Ness (and keep an eye out for the celebrated yet elusive monster, Nessie) as you descend.
Your hotel is right in the heart of town and overlooks the River Ness. It is also a working brewery and one of Scotland's newest distilleries.
As today is a shorter day on the saddle, you have plenty of time to explore Inverness.
Terrain and challenges:
A mix of quiet roads and paved cycle paths, followed by virtually traffic-free single track roads.
On the road to discovery:
Our hotel in Inverness is in the centre of town, right on the River Ness. There’s plenty of exploring to be done here, with scenic walks and historic sites close at hand.
On the edge of Inverness lies Culloden Moor, the site of the tragic battle that ended the 1745 Jacobite rebellion and changed the Highland way of life forever.
Cycling Scotland coast to coast: riding day
Day 5: Inverness to Fort Augustus
IN SEARCH OF MONSTERS
Today you follow the Great Glen Way through some of the most picturesque landscapes in the Scottish Highlands.
You start the day crossing the tranquil Ness Islands, then you join sections of the Caledonian Canal along the route.
Your ride down the southern side of Loch Ness is renowned for its solitude, beauty, and gentle gradients. You also pass the famous Falls of Foyers, one of the natural wonders of the Great Glen.
The route rejoins the Caledonian Canal at the Fort Augustus Locks, where boats step down toward Loch Ness in scenic stages. The day ends at the Loch Ness Gate House Hotel, ideally located near the heart of the village and the canal.
Terrain and challenges:
Mainly quiet, paved roads with some single track sections.
On the road to discovery:
From the 1970s until 1992, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page owned Boleskine House, a manor on Loch Ness. He was captivated by its previous owner, the occultist Aleister Crowley, and collected Crowley memorabilia there.
Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, Neptune’s Staircase is the longest staircase lock in Britain. The system was originally hand-powered but has been converted to hydraulic operation.
Cycling Scotland coast to coast: riding day
Day 6: Fort Augustus to Fort William
THE GREAT GLEN TO NEPTUNE'S STAIRCASE
Following the Great Glen Way south towards Fort William today, you cycle along quiet roads, gravel cycle paths, and historic canal towpaths, all framed by rugged Highland peaks.
You start out heading to Loch Oich along the Caledonian Canal. After crossing the historic Bridge of Oich, you ride on a disused railway line then continue on forest gravel tracks.
After rejoining the Caledonian Canal towpath, you arrive in Banavie where you encounter Neptune’s Staircase, a dramatic flight of eight canal locks which is a must-see feat of engineering.
When you spot the haunting ruins of Inverlochy Castle beneath the towering presence of Ben Nevis, Fort William and tonight’s hotel are close by.
Upon arrival, you are invited to join us on an excursion to Glen Nevis and a walk to the Flats of Steall.
Terrain and challenges:
Mainly paved roads with some unpaved tow paths along the canal which follow the Sustrans National Cycle Network Route 78.
On the road to discovery:
The Caledonian Canal runs for 60 miles along Glen Albany and the Great Glen, linking the River Ness on the east coast with Loch Ness, Loch Oich, Loch Loch and Loch Linnhe.
It was first conceived in 1773 to provide safe passage for shipping, but construction did not begin until 1810. It then took 12 years to complete at a cost of £910,000.
Cycling Scotland coast to coast: riding day
Day 7: Fort William to Ardnamurchan Point
INTO THE TEMPERATE RAINFOREST
The scenic 5-minute ferry ride across Loch Linnhe from the centre of Fort William marks the start of your journey today.
From Corran you have a choice between two dramatic routes: one heading inland, the other hugging the coastline. These rejoin at Strontian, and undulate along the shores of Loch Sunart, known for its Atlantic oakwoods.
Continuing west, you turn towards Ardnamurchan and the final leg of your tour. Ardnamurchan Point Lighthouse, situated at the most westerly point on mainland Britain, is your iconic destination. On a clear day, you can see the Inner Hebrides, including the isles of Rum, Eigg, and Muck.
Terrain and challenges:
A short ferry crossing followed by rolling single track roads.
On the road to discovery:
Sunart is one of the best surviving remnants of the Atlantic oak forest which once covered most of the west coast of Scotland. Rich in biodiversity, it is known as temperate rain forest.
Cycling Scotland coast to coast: travel day
Day 8: Transfer from Fort William
Departing from the hotel, you will be transferred safely to Perth for onward train travel or Montrose to collect vehicles. This is where your Skinny Tyres road cycling holiday ends.
The 110-mile transfer to Perth lasts 3 hours 20 minutes and your estimated arrival time is 12:30 pm. There is a scheduled half-hour comfort stop at Lochearnhead.
For those returning to Montrose, the 170-mile transfer lasts 4 hours 20 minutes, arriving in Montrose at approximately 1:30 pm. Again, there is a scheduled half-hour comfort stop at Lochearnhead.