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Cycling Scotland Oban to Campbeltown

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Cycling Scotland Oban to Campbeltown

Single / Double

£3608/ £1925

Tour Period

Any Start Date from February to November

Tour Nights

6

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Tour description

A six centre self-guided cycling tour of Scotland’s west coast, Oban to Campbeltown and finishing in Glasgow. Includes 6 nights bed and breakfast in en-suite (wherever possible) guesthouse accommodation, 6 days cycling, tour details and phone app navigation. Hire of a 21 speed all-terrain bike is also included. An additional night in Glasgow would be extra.  

This 120 mile cycle route offers the more adventurous cyclist the chance to explore the spectacular west coast of Scotland and the opportunity to do some island-hopping of the western islands too. Starting in Oban, the ‘Gateway to the Isles’, the route uses minor roads to Campbeltown situated on the beautiful Mull of Kintyre peninsula. Along the way there is an extensive network of forest trails providing you with extra exhilarating excursions. Following loch side and coastal roads you’ll enjoy fantastic views across to the islands of Jura and Arran, with pretty harbours, castles, abbeys and ancient stone circles to visit as you go. The tour finishes in the city of Glasgow giving you the choice of continuing your journey or enjoying a night in this vibrant city of culture.

Sample schedule

START of TOUR: Oban on the Northwest Coast of Scotland.

ARRIVAL DAY: Oban. Your 1st night’s accommodation will be in Oban near the start of the route. There are many places to eat in this town from fish and chip shops to traditional pubs and hotel restaurants. Overnight: Oban, Scotland.

7 nights Cycling the West Coast of Scotland. Oban the gateway to the Western Isles

 

DAY ONE: Cycle Oban to Ford. Distance approx. 36 miles (58km). Leaving Oban the route climbs gently on a quiet road through delightful Glen Lonan to the town of Taynuilt. Heading south via Glen Naut you can see red deer as you ride through ancient woodland, followed by a wonderful downhill ride taking you into Kilchrenan. There are opportunities here to stop to have a pub lunch or sandwiches and a cup of tea. The rest of the day’s ride runs parallel with Loch Awe including some steep climbs that are rewarded by spectacular views over the loch and surrounding area. Also on this section are some optional challenging routes into the forest on fantastic cycle trails. At the end of Loch Awe is the town of Ford.  This will be your next overnight stop. Overnight: Ford, Scotland.

7 nights Cycling the West Coast of Scotland

 

DAY TWO: Cycle Ford to Lochgilphead. Distance approx. 24 miles (39 km). This is a much easier day with no hills which allows you plenty of time to visit the many sites of historical interest in and around the village of Kilmartin. This part of the route includes: Carnassarie Castle, various stone circles and standing stones plus a fascinating museum with services for the traveller to obtain refreshments. After spending most of the day in Kilmartin a flat area known as Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve leads onto a splendid towpath alongside the Crinan Canal. A short detour to the coast at Crinan with views over to the Isle of Jura is a well worth it option. This traffic-free towpath then takes you to Lochgilphead and your next overnight accommodation. Overnight: Lochgilphead Scotland.

7 nights Cycling the West Coast of Scotland. View across to one of many Islands

 

DAY THREE: Cycle Lochgilphead to Tarbet. Distance approx. 32 miles (51 km). Today is the most challenging section of the tour known as the ‘Kilberry Loop’. It is also the most rewarding and bonniest. The entire route is on minor country roads quite remote in parts, especially between Achahoish and Tarbert. The spectacular scenery make the climbs a distant memory and on the right day this is a never to be forgotten bike ride. There are superb views over the Sound of Jura before heading inland to the banks of West Loch Tarbert that take you to your destination for today, the town of Tarbert. A busy ferry port and yachting centre this town has many places to check out for your evening meal. Overnight: Lochgilphead, Scotland.

DAY FOUR: Cycle Tarbet to Campbeltown. Distance approx. 37 miles (59 km). Today is the toughest section of the ride with many steep hills to climb, but there is an option at the start of the day. You can catch a bus (for cyclists) that runs between Tarbert and Claonaig. A rollercoaster of a road follows the coast providing fantastic views over Kilbarran Sound to the Isle of Arran before reaching Carradale and a good opportunity for a lunch stop. Continuing along the coastal road the final hill gives way to an impressive view over Campbeltown. Set in a sweeping arc around the Loch this is your destination for today. Overnight: Campbeltown, Scotland.

7 nights Cycling the West Coast of Scotland. The Isle of Arran

 

DAY FIVE: Cycle Campbeltown to Ardrossan. Distance TBD. Heading back along the coast road to Claonaig, there is again the option of catching a bus to the ferry port. This can help save you time. A regular ferry service runs from Claonaig to Lochranza on the Isle of Arran. Often referred to as Scotland in Miniature Arran is only 10 miles wide and 19 miles long but captures many aspects of Scotland’s beauty in this small area. There are excellent services on the island for the traveller to perhaps have lunch while admiring this beautiful island. After spending the day on Arran you will then need to catch another ferry to the mainland at Ardrossan, your final night’s accommodation. Overnight: Ardrossan, Scotland.

7 nights Cycling the West Coast of Scotland. The River Clyde Glasgow

 

DAY SIX: Cycle Ardrossan to Glasgow. Distance approx. 36 miles (58 km). A nice cycle trail takes you round the seafront and quiet country roads head inland to Kilbrnie. There are many sites of interest to see on this section of the route: Collegiate Church, Castle Semple and William Wallace Memorial. As you ride through a lush green river valley on a traffic-free cycle way there are many opportunities to stop to have a pub lunch or buy sandwiches from towns on route like Lochwinoch and Paisley. The route is very flat riding through Pollok Country Park on the outskirts of Glasgow.  This cyclist friendly section gives you plenty of time take in the sights as you go. The cycle route meets the river Clyde at Bells Bridge next to the National Science Centre in the centre of Glasgow.

Travel Description

RAIL TRAVEL from LONDON to GLASGOW and OBAN (NOT included in tour price): Oban is the nearest rail station, with about 3 trains a day from Glasgow.

RAIL TRAVEL from GLASGOW to LONDON and EDINBURGH (NOT included in tour price): Glasgow is the nearest rail station. There are very frequent trains from Glasgow to London and Edinburgh.

ARRIVING and DEPARTING by EUROLINES or NATIONAL EXPRESS COACH: This is by far the cheapest option for long-distance travel in England, Scotland, and Wales. There are very convenient buses from each major airport. National Express carries over 16 million passengers to 1000 different places in the UK every year, and thousands more from destinations across Europe and Ireland. You can purchase an e-Ticket where you print your travel ticket online in a matter of minutes OR you can obtain an m-Ticket and have your travel ticket sent to your mobile phone - no paper ticket required. You then present this to the driver on arrival.

ARRIVING BY CAR: Please ask for details.

Tour Start Location

Tour End Location

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If you want to book this cycling tour, or chat about an altered schedule, please use the 'Enquire Now' tab above or contact us on richard@xplorebritain.com

Related Categories
Tour Code:

OC06

Grade

B

Grade Description

GRADE B (cycling): Between 23 - 37miles (37 - 58kms) a day. The route is principally hilly with moderate climbs. We recommend that clients bring their own bicycle and equipment but we can arrange hire, but this will be extra. We suggest starting cycling about 10am and finish at approx. 4pm. These grades are for guidance only and will depend on weather conditions and your fitness.

[open quote]

I work at The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel as General Manager and as such I 
understand customer service and the need for a worry free vacation. 
 
My wife and I decided on a cycling vacation in England. We researched the 
trip we wanted to take (which ended up being the C2C route from Whitehaven to 
Newcastle) After numerous hours researching tour companies we found Xplore 
Britain and Richard Morris online.
 
We chose Xplore Britain over others because the Tours that Richard sets up are totally 
flexible regarding departure times and daily distance and that allowed us to create our 
own cycling vacation with guidance from Richard using his knowledge and 
experience. Although we actually never met Richard until the last day through email 
and phone contact he created a high level of trust. The accommodations he selected 
were excellent, baggage movement from location to location was never an issue In 
addition we chose not to bring our own bikes and relied on Richard to select the 
appropriate bike for the trip again he didn't let us down The vacation as it turned out 
was outstanding The value that Richard gave us made using him and his company 
an easy decision when we started to plan this year cycling vacation. This trip will be 
this June when we cycle the Coast to Castle route.
 
I have planned and executed several cycle trips for myself and for friends (in and 
around Vancouver) and know the details that must go into the planning process, such 
as Transportation, accommodations, luggage transfers, breakdowns etc. At first I had 
though that through my previous knowledge of England and the use of guide books 
etc that I could plan the UK trip on my own. I was very happy with the decision to hire 
Richard as it provided us with a worry and stress free vacation all we had to do was 
cycle and enjoy the scenery.
 
Francis, Victoria BC, Canada.

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Francis
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