Adventourus Active Vacations

8 day Independent tour

A tour from Highland Perthshire through the Angus Glens and the Kingdom of Fife. Major attractions are the famous Castle of Glamis (childhood home of the Queen Mother), Scone Palace the crowning point of all Scottish Kings and Queens, Falkland Palace, St Andrews the home of golf, and Blair Castle. Along with this the chance to visit a few whisky distilleries. A tour of wonderful scenery, culture and history.

Individual arrival in Callander. Check in the hotel and receive all your travel documents.

Cycling alongside Loch Venachar with the hills on either side sparkling in the loch. We are making our 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.

Day 3: Trossachs - Doune Castle (38-56 km)

Cycling southwards to the ancient village of Doune with its famous Castle. Stop and explore before continuing onto Dunblane with its great Cathedral. The circular trip takes you back to Callander along the Highland fault line.

Today we 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 we continue over the gentle climb of Glen Ogle before descending to Killin. The waterfall here is really spectacular and many people sit on the rocks and watch the cascading waters pass by.

Alongside Loch Tay which is around 27km long to Kenmore and a visit to the Scottish Crannog Centre which shows life on the Loch during the bronze age. Onto Fortingall a conservation village dating back many 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 the famous Castle Menzies

Today you have a short and longer option . Before setting off visit the whisky distillery. Both routes start along the River Tay valley when the short route turns north to Pitlochry. 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.

There is much to see and do her, with two whisky distilleries to visit, one the world's smallest. The Fish and Dam Ladder allowing salmon to jump the dam wall. Many shops to visit along with many pubs and bars. 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 family. Follow this turbulent history as you walk from room to room.

Day 8: Departure

Depart after breakfast.

PRICE & DETAILS

DEPARTURE DATES:

Every Saturday from May to September.

- 7 nights in excellent 3 star quality, family run guesthouses and B & B's; all rooms with private facilities.

- Breakfast each day.

- Personal welcome meeting and distribution of tour information

- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.

- Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.

- 21 speed Trek hybrid bike with pannier.

- 7 day service hotline

EASY TO MODERATE: There are two climbs of approx. 300 meters altitude on the first day. Afterwards the route is flat or slightly undulating, all on quiet back roads or cycle paths.

The nearest international airports are Edinburgh or Glasgow. Free transfers (for Saturday arrivals only) from Edinburgh Airport is included. Return from Pitlochry to Edinburgh by train, fare approx. $25,-, leaves around 11 a.m. – 13.20 arrival.

Arrivals into Glasgow Prestwick airport: Take the train to Stirling, last train around 19.30, train every hour, fare around $25,-, then by local bus or Taxi to Callander (taxi can be pre-arranged but paid locally, approx. £15,-) Return journey: Train from Pitlochry – Glasgow Prestwick leaves 11 a.m., arrives at the airport 15.45, fare around $45,-.