Arrive to Ardrossan. If you have rented our bikes, you will need to take the 16.50 train from Glasgow, arrives 17.36 to Ardrossan when we shall meet you and handover the bikes. You take the 18.00 ferry to Isle of Arran which takes around 1 hour. Car parking is available in Ardrossan. If you rent bikes then you must always take the 18.00 ferry.

Challenge: Day trip to Arran

Villages along the way: Ardrossan, Arran

Arran has it all, mountains, coastal cliffs, pan flat roads… that’s why it’s Scotland in miniature. Before setting off, visit the 13th century castle and gardens of Arrand distillery. The road south provides ever changing views. Small villages intermix the cycling view points. Lamlash provides the link to Holy Island, where a ferry can be caught to the monastery still occupied by Bhuddist monks. Head back across the “String” (the link road across the center of the island).

Challenge: 45 km

Villages along the way: Lamlash, Brodick

A day to cycle and relax on ferries. After the climb over to Lochranza, visit the castle and then catch the ferry to Cloanaig. Go across the Kintyre peninsula to catch your second ferry to Port Askaig on Islay. On arrival on Islay, you will only be a few miles from your hotel.

Challenge: 24 to 30 km

Villages along the way: Lochranza, Cloanaig, Kintyre, Islay

Jura is populated by some 5000 deer and 250 people. Jura House can be visited with some wonderful walled gardens and exotic plants. The road east gradually gets smaller and smaller until eventually turning into a footpath. Here you will feel you have reached nowhere and the solitude will be something you will remember forever. If you continue to the far end of the Island and look out to the river mouth you will see the natural wonder of this region, a huge whirlpool which is produced due to the tidal effects.

Challenge: 64 km

Villages along the way: Jura

Catch the ferry at Port Askaig to Colonsay . Colonsay being 10 miles long will allow you to explore most of the Island. Cycle to Ornasay across the tidal causeway to visit the ancient priory. The north section of Colonsay has some of the finest beaches in the Western Isles. Catch the evening ferry back to Islay.

Challenge: 32 km

Villages along the way: Isle of Colonsay, Ornasay

With Islay only 30 miles long there are many choices of routes. Islay has no shortage of famous name distilleries many Malt Whisky brands are actually places on the Island. Visit the Wildlife Centre, rural life museum or RSPB centre or just cycle the quiet lanes, see quaint bays & small sandy beaches. Here you may feel time has stood still. Your destination is the western port of Port Ellen.

Challenge: 57 km

Villages along the way: Islay, Port Ellen

Today you explore the eastern shores of Islay with a chance to visit the Ardbeg distillery and continue on a remote Island to a ruined church and famous cross and a lovely remote secluded beach.

Challenge: 9 to 32 km

Villages along the way: Islay, Port Ellen 

First you take a 9.45 Ferry to Kennacraig (Sundays 12.30). Then cycle across the Kintyre peninsula to Cloanaig and back on the Ferry to Isle of Arran. Cycle around the NW coast of Arran back to Brodick. Take the 19.20 ferry back to Ardrossan and then a train back to Glasgow.

Challenge: back to Androssan