Locals’ guide to mountain biking in Scotland
Nature at its most wild and resplendent
Our landscape is, arguably, one of our greatest assets and makes us a premier mountain biking destination. From our rugged mountains and deep glens all the way down to our craggy coastlines and secluded islands; the variety is never ending. One day you’re climbing through open moorland with a ridgeline stretching to the horizon, the next you’re dropping through native pine forest or rolling along a white sand beach next to the Atlantic. The terrain changes constantly, and so does the character of the riding, from fast, rooted singletrack to technical, rocky descents that reward commitment.
It’s not just about the trails, of course. The natural environment of the Scottish Highlands is home to a variety of wildlife, big and small. Deer are a feature of all of our landscapes, from the Cairngorms National Park, where there are no fences and the deer are free to roam, to the hunting estates where their territory is more contained. What’s more unusual to see in Scotland is the herd of reindeer which is thriving here in the Highlands. First introduced in 1952 by Mikel Utsi, it’s the only free-ranging herd of reindeer in the UK, and is split between the Cairngorm mountains and Glenlivet estate to manage breeding and prevent the spread of disease. If we’re lucky we get to catch a glimpse of these magnificent animals as we ride across the higher plateaux of the Cairngorms.
Our ancient forests are home to elusive creatures such as red squirrels, adders, pine martens and the famously territorial capercaillie. The skies are waters around the Highlands also provide scope for the keenest eyes. As you pedal through the rugged landscapes of the west coast or Isle of Raasay you may be lucky enough to spot a sea eagle (or a ‘flying door’ as locals call them!) soaring above you looking for lunch. And as we take the ferry to the Isle of Skye, on our Highland Odyssey adventure, we’re often accompanied by a pod of friendly dolphins.
Always a story to tell
These wild, rugged landscapes have bred equally hardy people and their stories are woven into the very fabric of our land. Tales of deep-water monsters, exiled princes and dissident poets are all part of our rich history and bring that extra layer of wonder and intrigue into your mountain bike adventure with us. With the help of our expert local guides, you’ll learn how the names of our hills and mountains are really descriptions of themselves, why everyone in the world is spelling ‘whisky’ wrongly, and who on earth is Callum MacLeod and why did he build that road?
In more recent years, many of the ‘bothies’ (mountain refuges) that are scattered across our hillsides and were once used as shelter for shepherds or cattle drovers, have been adopted by the Mountain Bothie Association who look after these ancient structures so that they can continue to offer refuge to whoever needs it – whether hiker or mountain biker. They make a welcome stop to have a snack and wait out a rain shower before continuing our ride.
Speaking of storytelling… whilst Scotland is stunningly beautiful it still takes a lot of skill to create images of this high quality, so we’d like to take a moment to recognise the photographers behind all these shots:
The inimitable Dan Milner (@danmilnerphoto on Instagram), and the extremely talented Ross Bell (@rossbellphoto).
The finest local produce
For many years Scotland had a poor reputation when it came to food. But all that has changed. Our lush green countryside and clean waters make for a bountiful larder, and Scottish produce is now revered the world over for its high quality.
We have crab, langoustines, scallops, lobster, and salmon (best served smoked) from our fresh, cold seas. The finest venison from the free-roaming deer in the Cairngorms National Park is paired with locally-grown, seasonal vegetables and a luxuriant sauce. And – one of the highlights of summer – for dessert we’ll serve up the sweetest local raspberries and strawberries with rich double cream from our dairy herds.
With all this fine, fresh fare comes the choice of myriad local beverages. Our forests, coastline, and rivers offer up the raw ingredients for making world-class whiskies, gins, craft beers, and soft drinks. From the most northerly distillery in Shetland, to the only combined brewery and distillery in Inverness – Scotland punches well above its weight when it comes to great drinks. You’ll have the chance to sample many of these on our mountain bike tours, as your reward for all your hard work each day.
We also love a mid-afternoon sweet treat with a cup of tea, and you’ll enjoy homemade cakes and scones with a dollop of jam and cream. It’s important to keep your energy up!
Exploring off the bike
Whilst we would argue that the best way to explore the Scottish Highlands is by bike, there is plenty to explore off the bike too and we would be delighted to give you our best recommendations for extending your trip.
For those who want to enjoy some type 2 fun, you can head back to the hills for hiking, climbing, or even via ferrata!
If you want to exist at a slower pace, we can point you in the direction of the quieter side of the Highlands and our favourite castles, cafes, museums and distilleries. For example, right on our doorstep in Inverness there’s the newly refurbished Inverness Castle and the Uile Bheist ‘Brewstillery’ where you can sample whisky and beer under one roof!
For the real culture vultures you can time your trip to coincide with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Military Tattoo. This is a global celebration of the arts, comedy, culture, and music, and is something of a spectacle.
So, whether this is your first trip to Scotland or your fifth, we’d love to show you our home. We might be biased, but we think it’s pretty special and we can’t wait to welcome you to our home soon!
Getting here and when to come
All of our mountain bike and e-mountain bike adventures start and end in Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands.
Getting to Inverness from North America and Europe is reasonably straightforward. There are direct flights from the hub of London Heathrow.
