We’re often asked about the cost of our mountain bike tours in Scotland, specifically the coast-to-coast, which some regard as being quite expensive. So we thought we would explain the processes and costs involved in running a tour like the coast-to-coast to show you that you are getting good value for money as well as an exceptional mountain biking experience in Scotland.
Logistics
Coast-to-coast day two, fast boat across Loch Broom
Logistically, the coast-to-coast Scotland is a fairly complex trip, with you and your guide taking one route from east to west by bike, and your luggage going by road with your driver and support vehicle to your next overnight accommodation. Your driver is also a qualified and experienced mountain bike guide and he will join the group from the opposite end after seeing your luggage safely to the accommodation, which gives the option of splitting the group in two so that everyone can ride at their own pace and not feel pressurised to speed up or slow down.
On day two of our coast-to-coast adventure we take a fast boat (RIB) from our overnight stop in Ullapool, across Loch Broom, to the start of the next stage of our journey. This makes for a much more exciting route than following the road to pick up the next piece of the trail west, and is included in the cost of the trip.
Accommodation
We know that, after a long day in the saddle all you want is a warm welcome, nice hot shower and comfortable bed, so we use the best, family-run accommodation in each of the villages we stop in along the coast-to-coast route. We don’t use hostels or bunk houses because we feel that everyone deserves a little more comfort on this mountain bike adventure in Scotland, so we use 3- and 4-star B&Bs, small hotels, and guest houses whose standards of service match our – and your – high expectations.
Meals
Happy coast-to-coasters celebrating at The Applecross Inn
Another important aspect of the accommodation we choose is the quality of their breakfast! A good, hearty breakfast will set you up for your day in the saddle, and all breakfasts are included in the cost of the tour.
Each day we will either pick up our own provisions for packed-lunches in the local shop before we leave, or we will put in our requests and our driver will stop at a shop on his way, then meet us at our designated lunch stop on the trails. In the evening we will have dinner in a local restaurant, café or pub where, again, everyone can choose exactly what they want to eat and drink. We feel this is the most transparent way for everyone to choose and pay for their own meals each day on our point-to-point mountain bike adventure.
Our coast-to-coast Scotland culminates at the Applecross Inn, voted Scotland’s Pub of the Year 2012, where you will enjoy some of the best local ales, whiskies, and world-class seafood, and celebrate your success in completing our coast-to-coast adventure!
Transfers
Our coast-to-coast Scotland tour starts and ends in Inverness, and included in the price of the trip is a transfer from Inverness to the start of the route, about two hours to the north-east, and then back to Inverness at the end of the tour. We have mini-buses for passengers and your bike will be transported in a specially-modified trailer at each end of the coast-to-coast tour.
We hope this demonstrates that, at £915/ $1,550USD per person, our coast-to-coast mountain bike tour in Scotland delivers an unforgettable adventure experience in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. We have dates from May to September each year and we look forward to welcoming you on our incredible coast-to-coast Scotland tour soon!
Euan (aka Chevalier)
Each week the