Castle Crusade

This bike tour in Scotland will take you through heather-clad high hills, landscapes of tall mountains and deep, flat, fertile glens with an abundance of wildlife, agriculture, and thick forests, with some of the tallest trees on the island. This UK cycle route leads from Highland Perthshire through Angus Glens and the Kingdom of Fife. It is aptly named the Castle Crusade as the major attractions are the Famous Castle of Glamis, Scone Palace, Falkland Palace, and also, St. Andrews, the home of Golf and Blair Castle.

You cannot bike in Scotland without visiting a distillery, and on this cycle tour you will have the opportunity to visit Scotland's smallest one! Did you know that the word whiskey is a derivative of a Gaelic word that means 'water of life'? Only the Scots have earned the right to call their whiskey Scotch!

It is amazing that so many renowned and authentic recipes come from a country as small as Scotland. The fertile soil and climate provide for an enormous variety of natural foods. Traditional Scottish dishes include fish and chips, haggis, the Arbroath Smokie, salmon, venison, cranachan, the bannock, Scotch broth, shortbread, and much, much more!

See our complete list of bike tours in Scotland.

Day 1: Arrive in Pitlochry
Day 2: Pitlochry - Alyth,  28/35 miles (45/56 km)
Day 3: Alyth Loop,  27 miles (45 km)
Day 4: Alyth - St. Michaels, 33 miles (53 km)
Day 5: St Andrews loop, 11 miles (17 km)
Day 6: Departure from St. Michaels or St. Michaels - Perth, 25/40 miles (40/64 km)
Day 7: Perth, various miles
Day 8: Departure

DAY 1: Arrive in Pitlochry 
This Scotland bike tour will start in Pitlochry, a sensational land of hills, mountains, glens, lochs, seashores, folklore and history.

DAY 2: Pitlochry - Alyth,  28/35 miles ( 45/56 km)
Bike delivery between 8:30 - 9 am. (During peak season, bikes can be pre-delivered.)
Before leaving town, be sure to cross the River Tummel to the dam on Loch Faskally, to view the salmon ladder and the Hydro Station, and then on through the ancient hamlet of Port na Craig.  Also worth seeing, after a short hike through the  pretty woodland and up a gentle hill, is the Edradour distillery – the smallest distillery in Scotland. This is a very quaint distillery run by a small team who make the whiskey in a manner that is almost on a homebrew scale of operation. The distillery is based in a collection of neatly presented and very photogenic farm buildings. Edradour produces only twelve casks of whiskey a week during production times, which is then laid down to mature for at least 10 years until the whiskey reaches the peak quality.

DAY 3 : Alyth Loop,  27 miles (45km)
Following the lower farmlands, you cycle east with the Grampian Mountains continuing to provide a wonderful northern scenic splendor. You will have an opportunity to visit Glamis Castle which is everything a castle should be. Whether you admire its stunning architecture, or explore its history, legends and myths or  enjoy the surrounding beauty of the grounds and gardens, you will not fail to be touched by the magic of Glamis. One of the things that it is most famous for is that it was the setting for Shakespeare’s "Macbeth". Among the oldest and most haunting parts of the castle is Duncan's Hall, which commemorates the slaying of King Duncan by Macbeth. Although the actual killing took place near Elgin, this is the traditional Shakespearean scene of the crime. After, the route leads north and then west back to Alyth, with the mountain view as the backdrop!

Leaving Alyth you cycle south along undulating lanes, eventually approaching the River Tay and Dundee. Visit the Discovery center before continuing across the Tay Bridge.

Day 4 : Alyth to St Michaels,  33 miles ( 53 km )
Leaving Alyth, you will continue your Scotland cycle route east up a gentle climb with a wonderful scenic and an eight-mile descent as a reward. The nearly mile-long River Tay bridge awaits to take you to St. Michaels. A longer option takes you across to one of the stunning Angus Glens where time seems to stand still. With the Grampian Mountains behind you, each bend in the road will provide a new visual delight.

DAY 5: Andrews loop, 11 miles (17 km) 
Today is a short and easy ride into St. Andrews. This university town is full of history with its Abbey, Castle, cobble stoned streets with ancient houses, and of course, the famous links or coastal golf course. St. Andrews is considered the "home of golf"; the sport has been played there since the 15th century.

DAY 6: Departure from St. Michaels or St. Michaels to Perth, 25/40 miles (40/64 km) 
If you have chosen the 6-day option, you'll depart from St. Michaels. If you have chosen the 8-day option, you will continue your bike in Scotland along the shores of the River Tay , mainly using part of the National Cycle Network to Perth. The National Cycle Network (NCN) covers over 10,000 miles of signed cycle routes throughout the UK. One-third of the network is on traffic-free paths, with the remainder on quiet minor roads and traffic calmed streets.  Take a detour to historic Falkland and its Palace. Set in a medieval village, the Royal Palace of Falkland is a superb example of Renaissance architecture. Garden enthusiasts will appreciate the work of Percy Cane, who designed and cultivated the gardens between 1947 and 1952. There are colorful herbaceous borders, unusual shrubs and trees and a small herb garden. Meet the Head Gardener at 2pm and 4pm for free guided walks and see the stunning herbaceous border at it's best! Check into your Hotel and explore this wonderful city.

DAY 7: Perth, various miles
A day to relax around the city with many non-cycling activities to occupy you or cycle out to Scone Palace. Scone Palace is full of treasures and a must see for those interested in Scottish history. The palace is the crowning point of all past Scottish Kings and Queens. The famous Stone of Destiny was returned here after the devolution of Scotland from England. Poised above the River Tay, the Palace overlooks the routes north to the Highlands and east through Strathmore to the coast. The Grampian Mountains form a distant backdrop. Two thousand years ago, the Romans camped here, at the very limit of their empire

DAY 8: Departure
Your bike tour in Scotland will end after breakfast 

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3 and 4  hotels and guesthouses.