Whisky and Castles - Self-Guided

Embracing two of Scotland’s most iconic characteristics, redspokes & Whisky & Castles cycling holiday is a journey through Moray Speyside and Aberdeenshire. In Speyside, you’ll find the nation's greatest concentration of malt whisky producers and more than half the distilleries in Scotland. In Aberdeenshire, there are more castles and fortifications per hectare than anywhere else in the UK. You’ll enjoy cycling on well-surfaced, quiet roads while taking in the rich history and culture of this stunning region. At the end of a day in the saddle, a few wee drams will warm the cockles.

Your self-guided cycling holiday begins in Inverness, capital of the Highlands. You set off on a warm-up ride to legendary Loch Ness, making a stop in Dores for sweeping views of the loch before looping back to Inverness. The next stage of your adventure is cycling across Moray to picturesque Grantown-on -Spey, located on the edge of Cairngorms National Park. Grantown is set in ancient woodlands that provide a unique habitat for local wildlife. The River Spey is Scotland’s fastest-flowing river and central to the nation’s salmon fishing and whisky production. You continue your Scottish cycle tour by exploring the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail, stopping off for castle visits and distillery tours along the way. You encounter some dramatic climbs, including following the scenic Snow Roads to the Lecht Pass at 2090ft (645m) and descending into swooping valleys through some of the most spectacular stretches of road in Scotland. 

After a rest day in Ballater, you ride towards the picturesque coastal town of Banff, where on a fine day, a myriad of white horses break the clear blue waters of the North Sea. You follow the Moray coast, cycling through an area well known for sightings of dolphins. Then, it’s onto the magnificent medieval ruins of Elgin Cathedral, the battlefield at Culloden and the Bronze Age cemetery at Clava Cairns before cycling back to Inverness where redspokes’ Whisky & Castles self-guided cycling holiday ends.

There’s no better way to experience the great Scottish outdoors than by bike and this tour has it all – historic castles, whisky distilleries, mountain passes and coastal views.