Arran, Islay, & Jura Road Cycling Tour

Meet your guide at the Glasgow Queen Street Station in the morning (by 11:00 AM) and travel to Ardrossan on Scotland’s west coast. From here, a ferry takes you to the Isle of Arran. This island is often called, “Scotland in Miniature,” because its varied landscapes resemble the landscapes of the Scottish mainland: wild and mountainous in the north, forests and farmland in the south. It takes 55 minutes to cross the Firth of Clyde, where the River Clyde meets the ocean, and you’ll arrive on the Isle of Arran in Brodick, the main village on the island. The nearby village of Lamlash will be your home for the next two nights. Check in to your hotel and perform a bike check as a group. When all the bikes are fine tuned after traveling and ready for the tour, take a short warm-up ride before dinner.

Ride today around Arran Isle’s southern half. While far less mountainous than the northern parts of the island, there will be some hills to conquer along the way. Head south from Lamlash, through Whiting Bay, and down around the southern end of the island. Stop to eat lunch at the cycling-friendly Velo Cafe in Lagg before the route turns northward again up the western side of the island. This section of the route offers many points of interest along the coastline. Watch for natural attractions such as crags, caves, and standing stones. You’ll also get some great views of castles and the Scottish mainland in the distance. Loop around to return to Lamlash through Brodick.

Cycle north today from Brodick. You’ll pass Arran’s highest peak, Goat Fell, as you wind along the road to Lochranza on the northern coast of the Isle of Arran. Take a ferry from here to Kintyre Peninsula of the Scottish mainland. Ride across the peninsula to the port at Kennacraig, where another ferry transports you to Islay island. On this two-hour crossing, pass the Isle of Gigha, then watch for dolphins, minke whales, and basking sharks as you travel through the Sound of Jura. When you arrive in Islay, cycle the short distance to your hotel, or choose to ride in the support vehicle if you prefer.

Explore the famous Isle of Islay by bicycle today. Islay is an island in the southern part of the Hebrides archipelago. In the morning, transfer to the picturesque village of Portnahaven, on the southwestern coast of the island, where you will likely see grey seals in the harbour. Follow the western coast, keeping the Atlantic in sight, then descend toward Port Charlotte. Turn north again to come to a wild sand beach, which is the perfect place to enjoy your picnic lunch. After lunch, begin riding back to Bridgend. Before heading back to the hotel, stop at the wildlife reserve at Loch Gruinart. Visit the RSPB Centre (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) to learn about Islay’s importance to many species of birds, including migrating geese, lapwing, hen harrier, and corncrake.

Continue to explore Islay today with a somewhat shorter ride along quiet back roads through Islay’s countryside. First, head south toward Port Ellen, and when you reach the coast follow the road to the left to tour Islay’s famous “Whisky Coast”. You’ll pass Islay’s three famous distilleries: Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg. Continue a short distance beyond these to see the famous Kildalton Cross, a monolithic Celtic cross estimated to have been carved in the 8th Century. Ride back to the cafe at Ardbeg for lunch, then spend the afternoon learning more about whisky with a whisky tasting. The length of today’s route can vary depending on which distilleries you choose to visit. Then return to Bridgend to spend the night.

On your final day of cycling, head to Jura for an exceptional finale to your tour. In the morning, ride from Bridgend to the nearby Port Askaig for a quick ferry ride to Jura that only takes a few minutes. Since the ferry to Jura is only a passenger ferry, the support van will stay behind on Islay. Once you reach Jura, cycle up the islands only main road, passing the distillery and many interesting historical sites, including forts from the Iron Age, standing stones, and ancient burial grounds. Follow the road up Jura’s eastern coast to reach the village of Craighouse, where you will stop at a cozy cafe to eat lunch with lovely bay views. After lunch, continue riding up the coast, then leave Jura aboard a private boat. Travel first to the Gulf of Corryvreckan, famous for a whirlpool that is created by the changing tides, then continue on to return to the Scottish mainland. Spend the night in a coastal hotel where you’ll enjoy 17 acres of beach and gardens, as well as a dinner to celebrate the successful completion of your tour. You may want to cap off the tour with a dram of local whisky from the Scottish Isles.

Take time this morning for a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, then take a short stroll around the nearby Arduaine Garden. Arduaine Garden is run by the National Trust for Scotland, and its strategic location on the Sound of Jura was chosen due to the warming effects of North Atlantic Drift. A surprising selection of plants from around the world grows here, and this leaves a beautiful last impression of your Scottish Isles tour. From here, the return trip to Glasgow takes nearly 3 hours. As you pass through Inverary and Loch Fyne, stop to eat lunch (not included), then plan to be back at Glasgow’s Queen Street Station by 2:00 PM. Have a pleasant journey.