Essential Information - Whisky and Castles - Self-Guided

• • Luggage transfers

  • Accommodation - (twin / double en-suite rooms)

  • All Breakfasts

  • GPS route directions and maps

  • Waterproof Bike phone holder

  • Portable Power Bank (Ideal back up for charging up your phone without needing a plug socket )

  • GPX tracks uploaded to your phone

  • Emergency support

• Travel to Inverness (Airport pickup can be arranged at £25 each way)

• Single supplements (available on request)

• Visa fees (if applicable)

• Travel insurance

• Bike hire (available if required)

• Any entry fees to sights en route

Travelling to Inverness is easy, as the city is well served with transport links. The airport is just 15 minutes from the city centre and there are good inland road and rail links into Inverness.

By plane

Flying to the Scottish Highlands couldn’t be easier.  Inverness airport is located 10 miles from the city centre and is serviced by both taxi and bus services. Taxi will cost around £25 for the 20 minute journey to your accommodation, the bus services which takes around 30minutes to the city centre. Check the following airlines for more information:

British Airways (from London Gatwick and Heathrow) 
Easyjet (from London Gatwick, London Luton, Belfast and Bristol) 
Loganair (from Manchester) 

Traveling by Train

You can buy train tickets on the day of travel,  however this can work our costly so booking in advance is advised.

For train information please follow these links:

scotrail
thetrainline

Traveling by Bus

Regular services connect Inverness with Glasgow, Edinburgh and London along with most other main UK bus stations. The Bus Station is located in the centre of Inverness and is approximately 1 miles from your accommodation (about £6 taxi fare). 

Self-led trips are priced based on at least 2 participants booking per departure. We charge  a £395 supplement to solo travellers which reflects the extra costs levied by  hotels.

Bike Hire

Road Bikes - We have selection of Trek Emonda & Specialized Diverge E5 Elite bikes.

 Trek Emonda ALR 4

E-bikes are TREK Powerfly. A durable aluminium frame that fully encases a long-range 625 Wh battery for great aesthetics and protection on the trails & Boardman HYB 8.9 which is a fast and practical flat-bar hybrid style e-bike, which uses the sophisticated, German engineered Fazua Evation drive system.  

E-Bikes Available

Hybride/Touring - We have Trek FX 3 Disc Hybrid BikeHybrid/Touring

A pump, spare tube, tyre levers and multi tool are included in the price of the bike rental. All bikes are equipped with flat pedals. Those who prefer to use spd or clip-in pedals, are welcome to bring these with you. You are also welcome to bring your own saddle. 

The bikes will come with one water bottle cage fitted.

We strongly advise all customers to bring their own cycle helmet as this is not included as part of your bike hire due to insurance reasons. Please be aware that failure to wear a cycle helmet is at your own risk and might also affect the validity of your travel insurance.

Your daily route notes will cover information about the route, your destination and suggested place for lunch & dinner. These will be sent to you no later than 2 weeks prior to the tour.

It is mandatory that you are well-insured for the full duration of the tour. This must include personal injury, medical expenses, death, repatriation, helicopter or aircraft rescue, loss of luggage or equipment, cancellation or curtailments.

You should also ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the type of activities included in your tour. Any claims concerning matters for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers. We strongly recommend that you take out insurance at the time of booking your trip to ensure that you are covered in the event of cancellation.

After a day of cycling, you’ll find your luggage has been transferred to your next accommodation.

The majority of the accommodation for this trip is in either Hotels or quality Bed & Breakfast. All rooms will have En suite facilities, all will offer a great breakfast to keep you going through the day.

Our choices usually come recommended for their character, warm welcome, facilities and location.

The Whisky and Castles tour is suitable for most bikes although we don't advise using carbon wheels.

We strongly recommend that you have your bike fully serviced before going on the tour. Ensure that wheel spokes are adjusted, greasing all bearings, check gear and brake cables, tighten all nuts and bolts, check chain, quick release clamp and tyres. Put in a new inner tubes and check wheel rims aren't worn.

We recommend that you take the following items with you.

• Multi tool
• Tyre levers
  
• Pump
  
• Spare inner tubes
  
• Spare spokes
  
• Check with your bike shop for disc/ brake pads
  
• A few links for your chain
  
• Spares for any unique things for your bikes i.e fluid or bleed kit.

Scotland has 4 seasons (spring, summer, autumn & winter) and is generally discribed as cool and wet.  If you don't like the weather you're experiencing at any moment just wait 5 minutes as it's remarkably changeable and you can experience all four seasons in one day. 

redspokes tours run at the optimal times of the year: in June with spring flowers in full bloom and September enjoying autumnal shades. Conditions are balmy, days are long and light, midges are least in evidence and you are avoiding the full blown tourist season. 

Average maximum temperatures in March, Arpil & May range from 7 degrees to 13 degrees. June, July and August are the warmest months with average temperatures ranging from approximately 15 to 17 degrees and longer days due to the higher latitude.  Autumn brings temperatures ranging from around 8°C (46°F) to 14°C (57°F) from September to November.  December, January & February are the coldest months with an average temperature around 5 degress.  On average snow falls between 15-20 days a year but with more falling on the peaks and mountains. 

In terms of clothing this is clearly up to you and we can only supply a rough guide as to what to take. This guide is entirely flexible and should be tailored to your specific needs. 

• Cycle Helmet
• Sunglasses
• Water bottle or camelbak
• Base layer tops
• Fleece jacket/ pullover
• Waterproof/ Windproof cycling jacket (breathable fabric)
• Padded cycling shorts
• Long cycle tights
• Lightweight socks & heavyweight socks
• Trekking Shorts 
• Clothing to wear in the evenings
• Lightweight T-shirts 
• Long-sleeved shirt 
• Fingerless cycling gloves
• Warm gloves
• Warm fleece hat
• Buff
• Towel
• sunscreen

We recommend you bring your own first aid kit which should contain the following item; 

• Paracetamol/ Ibuprofen (or whatever you prefer for headache)
• Lomotil or Diacalm
• Rehydration salts (Dioralite)
• Antiseptic cream
• Throat lozenges
• Plasters (band aids)
• Eye drops
• Anti bacterial hand wash
• Antiseptic wet wipes
• Midge Repellent

Miscellaneous

• Energy Bars (gels, power bars)
• Energy/recovery drinks
• Camera

Whilst we endeavour to provide correct and relevant information obtained directly from the relevant Embassies, High Commissions and Consulate Generals - this information is subject to frequent changes, without warning and at very short notice. Due to this, we cannot be held liable for any errors in the information provided on this site. We strongly advised you to check all information with the relevant embassy for details on your visa/passport requirements.

You must ensure that you are in possession of a full passport with at least 6 months validity from the date you enter the country.

 Scotland - Capital City Edinburgh

• Status: Semi-autonomous part of the United Kingdom
• Population: 5 million (2001 census)
• Area: 78,772 km² (30,414 sq miles)
• Languages: English, Gaelic
• Major religion: Christianity
• Monetary unit: 1 pound sterling = 100 pence