Lochs &Castles

Introduction
Highlands Scotland
The region of Perthshire is probably one of the most beautiful in Scotland. The Highland fault which was formed during the ice ages runs diagonally west-east through the region. To the north are mountains and many lakes (lochs) and to the south flat farm lands.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive tour so you will sleep in different accommodations along the trail.

Description
Our handpicked accommodations are chosen for their accessibility to the route and warmth of welcome. We try and find accommodation which is interesting, and we are sure all our providers of accommodation will show an active interest in your tour progress.

For this tour, your packahe includes overnights in standard accommodations (3* hotels). However, it is possible to upgrade to a higher hotel category (3/4* hotels) on request, for an extra fee.

We try and provide en-suite rooms where possible but on occasions, this may not be possible on some tours. If you insist on an en-suite room then please provide this request during the booking process.

Accommodation Itinerary for Relaxed option - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Accommodation in Callander
Night 3: Accommodation in Killin
Night 4: Accommodation in Aberfeldy
Night 5 & 6: Accommodation in Pitlochry

Accommodation Itinerary for Standard option - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1, 2 & 3: Accommodation in Callander
Night 4: Accommodation in Killin
Night 5: Accommodation in Aberfeldy
Night 6 & 7: Accommodation in Pitlochry

Accommodation Itinerary for Road Bike option - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1, 2 & 3: Accommodation in Callander
Night 4: Accommodation in Killin
Night 5: Accommodation in Aberfeldy
Night 6 & 7: Accommodation in Pitlochry

Room Occupancy
All our prices are based on two persons sharing a twin/double room. However, single persons are most welcome but incur a supplement.


Meals
Your package includes all breakfasts. Lunches and dinners are not included and should be paid locally.

We try and provide en-suite rooms where possible but on occasions, this may not be possible on some tours. If you insist on an en-suite room then please provide this request during the booking process.


Special diets

Riding

Insurance
It is essential that you have adequate travel insurance that you have purchased to cover cancellations, accidents, and repatriation etc. You will need to provide details (insurer, policy number and medical emergency telephone number) of the insurance you have purchased.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you have purchased covers you for your particular activity. We will not accept liability for any costs, losses or expenses which you incur as a result in not getting the correct level of cover.

Bike
If you choose to rent a bike with us, we usually use Scott Hybrid (Sub Cross 40) and E-Bikes (Sub Tour eRide) on this tour.
Bikes come with a small bag, map or smart phone carrier (1 per 2 bikes), inner tube, lock, tools, bottle carrier.
We must be notified in advance if guests wish to fix own pedals or saddles to our bikes.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: Relaxed option - subject to changes

Bike handover is usually on the evening of Day 1, at your first accommodation (or on morning of Day 2).

Day 1: Arrival
Please, make your own way to your accommodation in Callander.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Callander

Day 2: Trossachs Loop
Cycling alongside Loch Venachar with the hills on either side sparkling in the loch. Make your way to Loch Katrine, a beautiful remote loch where you can take a ride on a steamer boat which was built in 1872. After your ride on the boat return back to Callander on mostly cycle trails.
Distance: 35 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Callander

Day 3: Callander to Killin
Today, you follow the National Cycle Network north alongside Loch Lubnaig towards Strathyre, a nice place for a coffee break. You then continue on the cycle way north over the gentle climb of Glen Ogle before descending to Killin. The Falls of Dochart is really spectacular and many people sit on the rocks and watch the cascading waters pass by.
Distance: 35 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Killin

Day 4: Killin to Aberfeldy
Cycling alongside Loch Tay (around 27km long) to Kenmore and maybe a visit to the Scottish Crannog Centre which shows life on the Loch during the bronze age. Then continue passing Castle Menzies to Aberfeldy. Just before you enter Aberfeldy you cross a famous bridge built by General Wade and part of the network or army roads built by the English in the 18th century.
Distance: 38 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Aberfeldy

Day 5: Aberfeldy to Pitlochry
Today you have a shorter ride to allow time to explore Pitlochry on arrival. Before setting off today, you should visit the whisky distillery. 
Then, start cycling along the River Tay valley and turn north to Pitlochry. A few short hills await you before you reach Pitlochry.
Distance: 24 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Pitlochry

Day 6: Pitlochry Lopp
There is much to see and do in Pitlochry, including two whisky distilleries (one of them is the world’s smallest).
For those who wish to cycle it’s worth the short trip to Blair Castle one of Scotland’s grand castles and home of the Duke of Athol and his family. There are fabulous gardens and many walking trails available. You then cycle back towards Pitlochry where you can visit the Killiecrankie visitor centre, which shows the history behind the Jacobite raising.
Distance: 26 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Pitlochry

Day 7: Departure
Make your own transfer arrangeents.
Meals included: Breakfast 

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Sample Itinerary: Standard option - subject to changes

Note: a shorter version of this tour (6 days) is possible on request.

Day 1: Arrival
Please, make your own way to your accommodation in Callander.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Callander

Day 2: Trossachs Loop
Cycling alongside Loch Venachar with the hills on either side sparkling in the loch. Make your way to Loch Katrine, a beautiful remote loch where you can take a ride on a steamer boat which was built in 1872.
A tarmac private cycle way also runs alongside the loch giving spectacular views across the loch and the mountains.
Distance: 32, 53 or 74 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Callander

Day 3: Doune Castle
Cycling southwards to the ancient village of Doune with its famous Castle. The hit USA Series Outlander was filmed here at Doune Castle. Doune Castle is a medieval tower castle.
Distance: 32 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Callander

Day 4: Callander to Killin
Today, you follow the National Cycle Network north alongside Loch Lubnaig towards Balquihidder where you will find a small church where Rob Roy McGregor is buried. From here, continue over the gentle climb of Glen Ogle before descending to Killin. The Falls of Dochart here is really spectacular and many people sit on the rocks and watch the cascading waters pass by.
Distance: 40 or 56 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Killin

Day 5: Killin to Aberfeldy
Cycling alongside Loch Tay (around 27 km long) to Kenmore and maybe a visit to the Scottish Crannog Centre which shows life on the Loch during the bronze age. Then continue onto Fortingall a conservation village dating back hundreds of years. Europe’s oldest living thing can be found here in the form of a Yew Tree! After your visit, carry along the valley to Aberfeldy passing famous Castle Menzies
Distance: 49 or 67 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Aberfeldy 

Day 6: Aberfeldy to Pitlochry
Today you have a short and longer option. Before setting off visit the whisky distillery. Both routes start along the River Tay. The longer route firsts heads south to the historic village of Dunkeld dating back to the 1700’s. After your visit you head north to Pitlochry.
The short option goes straight to Pitlochry, skipping Dunkeld.
Distance: 24 or 51 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Pitlochry

Day 7: Pitlochry Lopp
There is much to see and do in Pitlochry, including two whisky distilleries (one of them is the world’s smallest).
For those who wish to cycle it’s worth the short trip to Blair Castle one of Scotland’s grand castles and home of the Duke of Athol and his family. Then you can cycle a wonderful loop through Perthshire countryside via Loch Tummel with maybe a visit to the Killiecrankie visitor centre.
Distance: 25, 43 or 64 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Pitlochry 

Day 8: Departure
Make your own transfer arrangeents.
Meals included: Breakfast 

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Sample Itinerary: Road Bike option - subject to changes

Note: a shorter version of this tour (6 days) is possible on request.

Day 1: Arrival
Please, make your own way to your accommodation in Callander.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Callander

Day 2: Loch Katrine Loop
A wonderful first day, cycling alongside Loch Venachar to Loch Katrine with great views across the Loch. At Loch Katrine you take the private road alongside the loch, a fabulous secluded road with breathtaking views.
Once at the far end of the Loch to head south via a few lochs to Aberfoyle in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Your final climb then begins to bring you back to Callander.
Distance: 77 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Callander

Day 3: Stirling Castle & Doune Castle Loop
Today, you cycle off towards Aberfoyle before taking the minor roads towards Drymen. Then, head east over the Campsie Hills before descending into Stirling the former capital of Scotland.
Time permitting, visit the Castle before heading north through Bridge of Allen and onto Doune to visit the medieval castle. Finally, cycle north along the country lanes back to Callander.
Distance: 100 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Callander

Day 4: Callander to Killin
Using mainly cycle trails and quiet roads you will cycle passed further stunning lochs (Loch Lubnaig and Oich) before having the chance to see Rob Roy’s grave. Then, you cycle around Loch Earn before the gentle climb over the Glen Ogle pass to Killin and the chance to sit and watch the Falls of Dochart.
Distance: 65-83 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Killin

Day 5: Killin to Aberfedly
Various options allow you to either cycle the undulating lane around Loch Tay and visit the Scottish Crannog Centre or cycle over the mountain range to the next Glen before descending what is said to be Scotland’s longest enclosed Glen, Glen Lyon. Fortingall is famous for having the world’s oldest Yew tree sitting within the tiny historic village.
Distance: 67 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Aberfeldy

Day 6: Aberfeldy to Pitlochry
Just outside Aberfeldy is Menzies castle which is well worth a visit plus a Whisky distillery. Aberfeldy also has a famous bridge across the Tay River built for General Wades network of military roads. En route you will visit Dunkeld a renovated conservation village of the 18th century with its stunning church. Once you have explored Dunkeld you cycle east to Blairgowrie, the entrance to the Cairngorm Mountains, before heading on the wonderful remote valley to Pitlochry.
Distance: 89 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Pitlochry

Day 7: Pitlochry Loop
Today you cycle north and visit the Killiecrankie visitor centre, the centre point of the Jacobite risings. Further north a few miles is Blair Athol with Scotland’s most visited Castle, Blair Castle home of the Athol family. Then you head off towards Kinloch Rannoch before your climb over Schiehallion and the picturesque route around Loch Tummel which will provide some breath-taking scenery.
Distance: 75-104 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Pitlochry

Day 8: Departure
Make your own transfer arrangeents.
Meals included: Breakfast 

Rates and Dates for Lochs &Castles

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Callander
Airport: Edinburgh
Transfer:

Climate:
                                               Kenmore area