Cairngorms & Speyside - Self-Guided Cycling Holiday

redspokes' Cairngorms & Speyside self-guided cycling tour is a journey through one of the most scenic and historic parts of Scotland. The Cairngorms is the largest national park in the UK with a hugely diverse landscape – from soaring mountains and dense forests to wild heather moorlands, interspersed with trickling streams and rushing rivers. Speyside boasts more distilleries than anywhere else in the nation. Its fertile farmlands are perfect for growing barley, which produce exceptional malt whisky when combined with soft spring water from the surrounding mountains. A wee dram is highly recommended after a day in the saddle.

Your Scottish cycling holiday begins in Inverness, the beautiful capital of the Highlands. Leaving the city, the first stage of the ride is packed with history, culture and stunning scenery. You cycle on quiet back roads past the famous battlefield at Culloden and the Bronze Age cemetery at Clava Cairns en-route to Grantown-on-Spey. Located at the northern edge of Cairngorms National Park, this picturesque town overlooks the River Spey which is central to the country’s salmon and whisky industries.

The ride continues along the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail, taking in Ballindalloch Castle, and Glenlivet and Glenfiddich distilleries along the way. Heading north from the world's malt whisky capital of Dufftown, you arrive at Spey Bay. This river estuary is one of the best places in the UK to watch dolphins and home to the Scottish National Dolphin Centre.

Other highlights of your cycling tour in Speyside include the town of Elgin – where you may want to climb the majestic cathedral for panoramic views – and visit Forres which lies on the south coast of the Moray Firth. The final day of cycling back to Inverness takes you past castles – including the imposing Cawdor Castle immortalised by Shakespeare in Macbeth – coastal towns and championship golf courses. 

Ancient woodlands, whisky distilleries, historic landmarks and scenic backroads all come together in redspokes’ Cairngorms and Speyside self-guided cycling tour. We look forward to welcoming you on this spectacular adventure through one of the driest and sunniest parts of Scotland.