Scottish Island Hopscotch

If you want an active holiday, choose a cycling adventure tour of Arran and Jura. This biking tour will take you all through a variety of beautiful areas and will allow you to explore as you would on foot, but quicker, on a bicycle! A wonderful UK holiday idea. 

Rich peaty whiskies, rugged coasts, prolific wildlife and romantic island hideaways. Discover the Scotland of your dreams on an island hopping cycling holiday on the Islands of Arran, Islay and Jura.

Embarking on the ferry to Arran marks the beginning of your Scottish Island adventure. Well known for it’s stunning scenery Arran is often referred to as Scotland in miniature because it packs such a punch. Arran has it all: jagged mountain peaks, rolling hills, quiet coves , soaring sea eagles, local crafts, breweries and ruined castles.

From Arran you catch the ferry to Kintyre and then after a short pedal across the peninsula to the Isle of Islay. Your base for the next five days. Small whitewashed villages , peaty whiskies, vast empty beaches and rugged coastal scenery make the Isle of Islay a very special place. Home to eight world renowned distilleries Islay is a whisky lovers paradise and as you can imagine the pubs aren’t half bad either.

Port Askaig, your arrival point on Islay, is the jumping off point for Jura. A remote and wild island where red deer outnumber people by 25 to 1. Spend a day meeting the people and drinking in the unique atmosphere before heading south to Port Charlotte.

Port Charlotte is the gateway to the wild Atlantic Coast of Islay. Huge cliffs pierced by golden sandy beaches are the perfect habitat for millions of breeding birds and birdwatchers will be in their element.

The pretty Port Ellen is your final stop on Islay and the hopping off point for a magical day of cycling and whisky on the island’s beautiful south coast.

This 8 day self-guided cycling tour includes 7 nights in hand-picked B&B’s, small hotels, country inns and guesthouses, a hearty daily breakfast, baggage transfers, and a comprehensive map and information pack. Bike hire is also available and on this particular tour it is recommended that mountain bikes are used due to the very uneven terrain.

Itinerary

1. Arrive Ardrossan, ferry to Arran, Overnight Brodick

2. Arran cycling:14 - 42m O/N Lochranza

3. Island Hopping to Islay: 5m O/N Port Askaig

4. Cycling on Jura: 21 - 62m O/N Port Askaig

5. Cycling on Islay: 18 - 60m O/N Port Charlotte

6. Cycle to Port Ellen: 18 - 30m O/N Port Ellen

7. Islay's Whisky Coast: 6 - 20m O/N Port Ellen

8. Island Hopscotch to Ardrossan

Pickup / Dropoff

Ardrossan/Ardrossan