Scotland Adventures - Mountain Biking in the Scottish Highlands & Isles

Crack! It was the sharp sound of a branch slapping my helmet as I whizzed past a tree riding a mountain bike on stone-studded, narrow singletrack in the Scottish Highlands. My group was exploring a network of trails in Glenmore Forest Park that led through pine forests, alongside lakes, over boggy terrain and on dirt roads. While mountain biking isn't my favorite sport - I prefer hiking - cycling is certainly the activity of choice for many travelers and Scottish locals, if the number of bicyclists on the trails that day was any indication. The strings of bikers passing by, as we sat on rocks alongside the trail eating lunch, ranged from hardcore mountain bikers wearing skintight spandex shorts and shirts to families with kids on the type of bikes we all rode when toddlers.

Sources to Plan Mountain Biking Trips in Scotland

Bicycling is very popular in Scotland, and particularly in the Scottish Highlands. VisitScotland has a dedicated Cycling in Scotland Web site. On the site, you can order the Cycling in Scotland brochure, which is loaded with practical advice and suggestions for itineraries around the country. This site also operates a "Cyclists Welcome" section, where guesthouses and B&Bs around the country can advertise that they're cyclist-friendly, and may provide such things as an overnight laundry service, a late meal or a packed lunch.

Some of Scotland's adventure tour operators offer multi-day mountain bike and road biking trips. Wilderness Scotland, for example, runs a coast-to-coast mountain biking trip during which bicyclists ride from Aberdeen through mountain passes and pine forests in the Scottish Highlands all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. This trip was voted one of the Trips of the Year 2010 by Outside Magazine. If you're cycling part of the Malt Whisky Trail and stopping at Glenlivet Distillery, which is on the Glenlivet Estate, you can ride off the buzz from any "tastings" on the many trails for cycling and walking.

More Adventures in the Scottish Isles

Outdoor adventures and water sports centers extend far beyond the Scottish Highlands. Sea kayaking, canyoneering, hiking and mountain biking are also popular on many of the Scottish Isles, such as Arran, Skye and the Outer Hebrides. For more information about adventures in the Scottish Isles go to VisitScotland.

Articles About Scottish Highlands Hiking, Kayaking & Canoeing in Scotland

Adventure Travel in Scotland
Walking
Sea kayaking
Canoeing
Where in Scotland are the Highlands?


As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary excursions, accommodations and meals while in Scotland for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.