Scotland Sports Travel Tips by scotlandscotour

Theme: Biking

Thousands of miles of track to choose from ... technical rock sections, streams, winding single track, forest trails, open moor, mountain highs and long fast decents, snow, boulders, grass, country lanes, cycle tracks, waymarked routes and specialist accommodation.

See Scotland's beauty by two wheels - and see it like no other.

Equipment: Hire on site!

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Address: Aviemore, Fort William, Pitlochry, Callander, ...
Directions: Fly or drive here ... then grab your bike and off you go - wild or gentle - high or low - the world is at your feet ... and what better way to earn that whisky?!!!
Website: www.perthshire.co.uk
Other Contact: www.hostel-scotland.co.uk

Theme: Biking

Cycling in Scotland is wonderful and growing in popularity.
If you have the lungs and legs for it, a cast-iron constitution and a generous saddle, then Scotland offers unbeatable roads like this one, with nothing but the occassional slow tourist car or tractor to worry about, and plenty of places to picnic, sunbathe and catch the view.
Though the hills are steeper on these quiet old roads, the absence of hurtling trucks and slashing wing mirrors make it all worth while. And the inclines don't last. It's not like the hairpin bends of mainland Europe.
The downside (ha, ha, ha) is the likelyhood of showery rain and winds - so check weather forcasts.

Equipment: Plenty of excellent repair shops and hire around - so keep your kit simple.
Accommodation in cycle friendly B&B's and hostels is plentiful.

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Website: www.perthshire.co.uk
Other Contact: www.visitscotland.com

Theme: Hiking

Scotland is paradise for walking in wild open countryside - so do !!!

Prepare for wind and rain at any moment - this may mean expensive "gortex" type waterproofs.

You are likely to encouter stone walls and fences. Try to find a suitable crossing point or gate, to avoid damage and worse - being seen to be possibly causing damage! Many stone walls also have built in styles or steps, made with longer through-stones projecting from the wall. Always cross very carefully and never displace a stone. If you should, put it back!

Crossing fences can be harder and painful, unless you are long legged :-(

Watch out for nasty barbed wire (see picture). Not only will this likely rip your waterproofs, or damage your pride, but it can harbor Tetanus, due to the animals scratching against it. Basically, take care, as you shouldn't be crossing these fences anyway.

Equipment: Long legs and a brain help, as do companions!
Aim for gates. Farmers also put small styles at places they use to cross. Often you'll see a plastic fertiliser bag wrapped around the barbed wire as protection!

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Directions: Highland farms of Britain, everywhere.

Theme: Biking

This is a superb cycle tour ... through really beautiful countryside and progressing in gradient, culminating in the splendid views of the Sea and the Isle of Skye.

Start Stirling: Take your bike by train, to Stirling, to avoid traffic congestion.
http://www.multimap.co.uk
Alternative Start is Perth railway station, cycling west through Crieff and along the beautiful Loch Earn, or the more northerly Loch Tay (see Tayside Tips).

Route: North, through Trossachs National Park, via Callender and up the idylic Glen Ogle. (Perth route joins here).
Via Crianlarich, head over the great wilderness of Rannoch Moor and down Glencoe then into Fort William.
Take the Road to the Isles towards Mallaig, and the ferry over to Skye, smiling all the way!

A tour of Trotternish (north Skye), from Portree to Uig and back, is a wonderful and fitting finale.

Trains return from either Kyle of Lochalsh (by Skye bridge) to Inverness, or From Mallaig, back to Glasgow, via Fort William.

You can continue over to Lewis (Standing Stones!), from Uig, and cycle the whole of the Outer Hebrides, returning to Oban.

Equipment: Accommodation litters the route, so you can travel light. Hostels are excellent here and geared up for outdoor sports, with drying room,information, food etc.
http://www.syha.org.uk
http://www.hostel-scotland.co.uk

Camping is also possible anywhere, or at sites with facilities.

Repairs & Cycle shops are also along the route, in all towns.

Cycle hire is also available in most towns, should you wish to just do sections, or leave your bike behind.

If you don't fancy planning it yourself, try these guys: http://www.cyclescotland.co.uk/1home.htm

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Address: North West Scotland
Directions: Variations of this route allow you to take the train to different start / finish points, so you can combine with mountain walking, or the West Highland Way, or a fuller tour of the Highlands, up the coast to Ullapool and Durness. Magic!
Website: http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=165000.929676925&Y=785000.825631059&width=700&height=400&gride=166207.929676925&gridn=786473.82