WILDCAT ADVENTURES - Scotland CTC MTB "Gathering of the Clans"

Scotland - Mountain Bike (MTB) "Hebridean Trail & The Wild West"

Mountain Biking (MTB) - Harris, Skye & Knoydart.

Mountain Bikes & Electric Mountain Bikes (e-bike).

A Challenging Mountain Bike route through the wild west of the Knoydart peninsula and on Scotland's two great Mountain Biking islands in the inner and outer Hebrides (Skye & Harris).

A must for the committed wilderness Mountain Bike rider!

TOUR SUMMARY

Combine the Isle of Skye with Harris in the Outer Hebrides and Knoydart on the West Coast of mainland Scotland and you have an epic week of Mountain Biking in one of the last wilderness areas in Europe.

Over the seven days mountain biking holiday in Knoydart (the wild west), the Outer Hebrides, and Skye you will experience some of the best and most remote wilderness single track rides in the UK.

Our exciting Itinerary starts with the best two wilderness rides on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides before returning to ride the single tracks through the Cullin Mountains on Skye. Finally we visit Knoydart and the challenging mountains of one of the last true unspoilt wilderness areas in Europe.

We ride the glens and mountain passes on ancient trails used by the Highlanders and Crofter through the centuries and ride over Scotland's most remote mountain pass and down one of the longest descents in Scotland to the sea.

A route designed by John Fulton, Director of Wildcat Adventures and pioneer of Mountain Biking in Scotland!

Our tour has been fully researched and personally ridden by John & Brigitte - as with all our tours, it is run & supported by Wildcat Adventures and led by John & Brigitte.

Highlights

Our tour starts and ends at our base in Stirling - please see Travel Information

Glencoe Visitor Centre - learn about Glencoe's remarkable history, landscape and wildlife
Eilean Donan Castle - The castle was founded in the thirteenth century, and became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie and their allies the Clan Macrae. It has been a film set for many great movies.
Isle of Skye - largest of the Hebridean Islands
Isle of Harris - Jewel of the Hebridean chain - Spectacular golden beaches and mountain vistas - home of Harris Tweed
Cullin Mountains - The rugged Red & Black Cullins - Twelve of the Black Cullin peaks are listed as Munros (Mountains over 3000 feet)
Ruins of Post Jacobite Rebellion Military outposts
Iron Age Brochs - Iron Age Fortified dwellings
Knoydart - one of Europe's last great wilderness areas
Wilderness single track riding at its best

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meet in Stirling at 09:00hrs

We transfer in private coach to take the ferry from Uig on Skye to Tarbert on Harris.

Enroute we visit the Glencoe Visitor Centre to learn about the Massacre of Glencoe (1692), and visit Eilean Donan Castle enroute to the Isle of Skye.

Overnight Hotel / Guest House

Day 2 - North Harris Mountains

A challenging ride on wild and remote trails - some technical riding, big climbs, and exciting descents.

Overnight Hotel / Guest House

Breakfast, ride snacks included

Distance: 28 miles / 45 kms

Day 3 - Reinigeadal Trail

A ride on the wild side through incredible mountain scenery and sea vistas. We visit one of the Hebridean Island's most isolated coastal villages.

We return to Tarbert for the afternoon ferry to Uig on Skye where we make a short transfer to our accommodation near the Black Cullins.

Overnight Hotel / Guest House

Breakfast, ride snacks included

Distance: 15 miles / 24 kms

Day 4 - Skye - Glen Sligachan

We ride the classic Glen Sligachan - a challenging trail running between the Red and Black Cullin Mountains and considered to be one of the best trails in the UK.

Joining the road on the Elgol Peninsula we take in the spectacular views of he Black Cullin Mountains, the Isle of Rhum, and the rugged skyline of Knoydart.

Our day finishes as we head north on a beautiful quiet highland single track road to finish on a trail to Broadford.

Overnight Hotel / Guest House

Breakfast, ride snacks included

Distance: 20 miles / 32 kms

Day 5 - The Wild West

We leave the unique atmosphere and culture of the islands and ride onto the Scottish mainland (The Wild West) via Scotland's shortest ferry crossing. On our crossing keep an eye out for dolphins, otters, and even basking sharks!

We pass the ruins of a Barracks built by General Wade in 1723 after the Jacobite Rebellion. Our afternoon ride takes us down an ancient trail to a remote glen to explore Iron Age Brochs (dwellings) built to shelter from the Viking raids.

Overnight Hotel / Guest House

Breakfast, ride snacks included

Distance: 22 miles/ 35 kms

Day 6 - Knoydart Peninsula - Britain's remotest mountain wilderness area

An area steeped in history and legend and laced with some of Scotland's remotest and challenging trails, single tracks, and high passes. A dramatic area of rugged mountains and deep fjord-like sea lochs. Bonnie Prince Charlie passed through these mountains and glens to escape to Outer Hebrides after the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715.

We access the heart of Knoydart on a short private ferry. We ride and hike over Scotland's remotest mountain pass and enjoy the breathtaking views and exciting descent to the edge of a deep sea loch.

We enjoy an afternoon snack in a remote mountain inn before taking a ferry ride to Mallaig overlooking the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebridean Island chain.

Overnight Hotel / Guest House

Breakfast, ride snacks included

Distance: 20 miles / 32 kms

Day 7 - Mallaig to Stirling

Transfer in private coach back to our base in Stirling - a time to relax and reflect on your great mountain biking adventure.

Enroute we visit Glenfinnan Visitor Centre to learn about the Jacobite Rebellion.

We pass Ben Nevis (Scotland's highest mountain and home of the World Championship Downhill Circuit), Glencoe and the Trossachs National Park (Rob Roy Country) before arriving at our base in Stirling.

We arrive at approximately 16:00hrs.

Wildcat Adventures reserves the right to alter the route based on weather & road conditions, and fitness & skills of the group

Included

OUR TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

A guarantee of services by a Bona Fide UK Tour Operator (Wildcat Adventures Ltd) with protection of monies paid in advance
Transfer from our base at Stirling to starting point on West Coast and return to our base at end of tour
Vehicle supported to carry all luggage, snacks, water, tools, spares, medical kit - driver is a trained Cycle Trail Leader with mechanical expertise
6 nights Guest Houses and Highland Hotels on bed & breakfast basis - double occupancy (unless single room has been booked)
6 Full Scottish cooked Breakfasts
Ride snacks throughout the day
Detailed Itinerary
Tour package
Fully guided by John & Brigitte - qualified Mountain Bike Leaders (SMBLA) with a combined experience of over 50 years!

Support Crew

John & Brigitte (qualified Mountain Bike Leaders) on their bikes to accompany & support the group
Support vehicle to carry luggage, tools, spares, water, snacks, medical kit - purpose built trailer is used to transport bikes
Support driver - experienced and qualified Trail Cycle Leader

Exclusions: any costs associated in traveling to/from our pre-tour meeting, flights, cycle hire, optional excursions & sightseeing trips, items of personal nature, evening meals not specified in itinerary, all beverages, tips to waiters etc, travel insurance, costs associated with recovery or injury to yourself, entrance fees to visitor attractions, costs associated with late arrivals/catching up with the tour group

FAQ

FAQs

Can I ride my Electric Mountain Bike?

Absolutely! We have had several participants join us on tour over the years riding their electric mountain bikes.

What is a typical day like (BIKING PROFILE)?

Distances vary from 25 miles to 55 miles on the tour. A typical day's riding starts at 8am and we reach our destination around 4pm.

What is the TERRAIN like?

A Challenging MTB route through the wild west of the Knoydart peninsula and on Scotland's two great mountain biking islands in the inner and outer Hebrides (Skye & Harris).

Great technical single track riding, some long climbs over high passes, with easier options.

Most of the off road riding is a combination of double and single track.

Off-road experience is recommended.

I am not a fast rider - will I be left behind?

Certainly not! We leave nobody behind and do not put anyone under pressure.

Brigitte and John both ride with the group enabling them to manage the various skill and fitness levels and provide everyone in the group with a challenge suited to their needs.

Wildcat guides have ridden every Highland offroad route and their alternatives - we can provide you with a wide range of trails to suit all abilities.

What are the HIRE BIKES?

We have a fleet of front suspension (with lockout) / hydraulic disc brakes 29" & 27.5" MTB bikes available for hire.

We use a new fleet of bikes every season.

We do not hire full suspension bikes as our cross country route is best suited for the lighter front suspension bikes.

Note: if you prefer to bring your own bike, you may leave your bike box at our base for the duration of the tour.

Hire bikes are supplied with platform pedals however we encourage riders to bring their own pedals/shoe combination and favourite saddle.

All bikes are transported fully assembled on our purpose built trailer, participants are transferred from our base in Stirling to the start of the route in a private coach bus, and we are transported back to our base in a private coach bus at the end of the tour.

Is the tour VEHICLE SUPPORTED?

Yes. Our support vehicle carries a range of spares for our hire bikes along with a full compliment of tools, including snacks, water, and of course your luggage.

Our support vehicle meets us each day at predetermined points several times a day to enable us to resupply on snacks, water, etc.

Note: Our support vehicle has space for 2 participants at any one time wishing to sit out part(s) of the day

Who will I be riding with - PARTICIPANTS?

Our clients normally range from mid twenties to mid fifties. The younger participants are normally full of energy however our older participants tend to have the most stamina!

All of our clients are cyclists who enjoy the wilderness and like to have a good day's ride, followed by some good banter in the evenings over a drink.

We are renowned for having a great time on the ride during the day followed by great after ride socials.

We have riders from all over the world join us on tour. On most of our tours we have riders who have been with us many times before.

John & Brigitte ride with the group.

What is the FOOD & ACCOMMODATION like?

All our meals are in traditional pubs/restaurants however eating with the group is not mandatory.

All your cooked breakfasts, and daily ride snacks are included in the tour.

Breakfast includes a wide range of cereals, fruit, juices/coffee, and of course a cooked Scottish breakfast.

Drinks & evenings meals are extra - A typical 2 course dinner will cost between £15 - £20.

Accommodation is in excellent traditional Highland Hotels and Guest houses.

Photos

Scotland Mountain Bike (MTB) "Hebridean Trail & The Wild West"

View the embedded image gallery online at:
http://wildcat-adventures.co.uk/cycle-tours/scotland-cycle-tours/scotland-mountain-bike-mtb-hebridean-trail-the-wild-west#sigProId71500e42bc

Reviews

Client Comments

Once again thanks to you (and the rest of the group) for providing us with a great holiday. I'm really looking forward to next year's trail."

Jeroen (Scotland CTC MTB August 2011)

Hello John & Brigitte,

I have enjoyed looking at the photo CD -- thanks for sending it. Today I've been daydreaming and visiting the Wildcat website, and it was a nice surprise to see the description of the Celtic Tour, complete with some (familiar-looking!) photos."

Bonnie & John (USA)- Scotland Coast to Coast Classic & East to West back to back Tours August 2006

"Thanks a lot for the photo CD. I like it very much. Your refreshed website looks very good with these photos also !!!!!!!!!!!! I had a great time, ......."

Gert (Netherlands) - Scotland Coast to Coast August 2006

"I would like to thank everyone for making the tour the most enjoyable holiday I have had in a long while. I had an absolute brilliant time was really nervous beforehand but everyone was so friendly that I instantly felt at ease.Would also like to thank john, brigitte and colin for making the tour so enjoyable and having a good mix of all aspects of biking.."

Steve(UK) - Scotland Coast to Coast Tour August 2006

"John and Brigitte, we want you to know that our Scotland Coast-to-Coast tour had everything a great adventure needs: a cast of lovable (and quirky) characters, an incredibly beautiful backdrop (Could all that scenery have been real?), and an easy-to-follow plot (ride, eat, ride, eat, ride, have a pint, sleep; repeat). Bravo!!"

John & Bonnie (USA) CTC MTB Classic Route August 2005

"John/Brigitte

Would love to come on another tour- Best tour and best company I have ever participated with- great memories. I can still see Robert the Bruce coming over the mountain at us. And will never forget the cattle coming at us in the blinding rain at the top of a mountain pass- Brilliant!"

John R. (USA) - Scotland Coast to Coast Classic MTB Tour

John and Brigitte, we want you to know that our Scotland Coast-to-Coast tour had everything a great adventure needs: a cast of lovable (and quirky) characters, an incredibly beautiful backdrop (Could all that scenery have been real?), and an easy-to-follow plot (ride, eat, ride, eat, ride, have a pint, sleep; repeat). We were so sorry to see it end that we have decided to opt for a “double feature” next time — 2 tours instead of 1! Bravo!!'

Bonnie (“Yes, I do carry boulders in my pack.”) and John (“Is Fort William on the way to Kingussie?”) (USA)

Scotland Coast to Coast 20th Anniversary Tour July 2005

'So hard to be back in the real life after this great trip in Scotland !! Thanks to our guides, John for his typical scottish accent, Brigitte for her help in french translation and Andy for his technical support and everyone for the good atmosphere!'

Mathias (France) - Scotland Coast to Coast 20th Anniversary Tour July 2005

'Thanks to everyone for a great holiday. It always makes these types of trips a lot more fun when you have a great group of people to get to know. Special thanks to John, Brigitte & Andy for putting on another terrific tour. Can't wait for next year!'

Mike (USA)- Scotland Coast to Coast MTB 20th Anniversary Tour July 2005

'John, Brigitte,

Another great week with Wildcat (i.e. you two), many thanks and best regards............'

Rob and Alex (UK)- Scotland Coast to Coast 20th Anniversary Tour July 2005

'I sure had a great time 15-21st August tour. The ride was a great experience / full Scottish breakfast / all the fun pub beers and mingling with fun riders. I’m seriously joining up for next season 20th anniversary tour. Please let me know when is the big gig tour. '

Ken (USA) - Scotland Coast to Coast MTB 2004

'Thanks so much once again for a FANTASTIC week!! I had an amazing time...I really cuaght the biking bug...keep me on the list for the Outer Hebrides tour next summer..or a Morocco trip in autumn'

Susanne (GERMANY) - Scotland Coast to Coast Road/MTB 2004

'.. I wanted to tell you how much my wife, Angela, and I enjoyed the Coast to Coast ride with you in June.'

Andy (UK) - Scotland Coast to Coast Road 2003

"The Hebridean Trail & Wild West"

Electric Assist Welcome

Picnic Stop overlooking Isle of Skye

Ride through Knoydart

Crofter's Single Track in Knoydart

SCOTLAND "Hebridean Trail & The Wild West" - At a Glance

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TOUR SUMMARY

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