Day 1: Arrive in Ardrossan and ferry to Brodick on the Isle of Arran
Arrive to Ardrossan. take the 16.50 train from Glasgow, arrives 17.36 to Ardrossan when we shall meet you and handover the bikes. You take the 18.00 ferry to Isle of Arran which takes around 1 hour. Car parking is available in Ardrossan. If you rent bikes the you must always take the 18.00 ferry.
Day 2: Brodick, ~54 km (34 miles)
The Isle of Arran has it all, mountains, coastal cliffs, rolling and flat roads, that’s why many people say that Arran is Scotland in miniature. Before setting off on today’s cycle ride why not visit the 13th century castle and gardens or the Arran distillery. The road south provides you ever changing views. Small villages intermix the cycling viewpoints. Lamlash provides the link to Holy Island, where a ferry can be caught to the monastery still occupied by Buddhist monks. Head back across the ‘String’ the link road across the center of the island.
Day 3: Brodick > Kennocraig > Isle of Islay, ~32-37 km (20-23 miles)
A day to cycle and relax on ferries, after the climb over to Lochranza, visit the castle and then catch the ferry to Cloanaig. Then you are back on your bike for the short ride across the Kintyre peninsular to catch your second ferry from Kennacraig to Port Askaig on Island of Islay.
Day 4: Day trip to Isle of Jura - various routes up to 80 km (50 miles)
Today’s stage starts with a short ferry crossing to the Island of Jura. On Jura navigation is easy, there is only 1 road. The Island of Jura is populated by some 5000 deer and 250 people. Jura House can be visited with some wonderful walled gardens and exotic plants. The road east gradually gets smaller and smaller until eventually turning into a footpath. Here you will feel you have reached nowhere and the solitude will be something you will remember forever. If you continue to the far end of the island and look out to the river mouth you will see the natural wonder of this region: A huge whirlpool at Corryvreckan which is produced due to the tidal effects. For a short additional trip visit Finlaggan near Ballygrant on your return to Islay, the home of the ancient seat of the Lord of the Isle’s, the rulers of the Western Isles once the Vikings had been removed.
Day 5: Day trip to Isle of Colonsay - various routes up to 32 km (20 miles)
Catch the ferry at Port Askaig to Colonsay in the morning. Colonsay being 10 miles long will allow you to explore most of the Island. Then you cycle across the tidal causeway to Ornasay to visit the ancient priory. The north section of Colonsay has some of the finest beaches in the Western Isles. Catch the evening ferry back to Islay.
Day 6: Islay/Port Askaig > Port Ellen/Bowmore, ~57-68 km (36-43 miles)
With Islay only 30 miles long there are many choices of routes. Islay has no shortage of famous name distilleries many Malt Whisky brands are actually places on the Island. Visit the Wildlife Centre, rural life museum or RSPB centre or just cycle the quiet lanes, see quaint bays & small sandy beaches. Here you may feel time has stood still. Your destination is the western port of Port Ellen or Bowmore depending on availability.
Day 7: Around Port Ellen, ~35-54 km (22-34 miles)
Today there are a few options, for whisky lovers heaven has arrived in Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg, for those wanting to cycle, the coastal road to Claggain Bay passing Kildalton cross is totally stunning or if you are into Golf then just outside Port Ellen is Islay’s only Golf course. Overnight in Port Ellen or Bowmore.
Day 8: Islay > Arran then departure, ~30 km (19 miles)
After breakfast you will take the 9.45am ferry from Port Ellen to Kennacraig, back on your bike you shall cycle across the Kintyre peninsular to Cloanaig. Then it is back on the ferry to the Island of Arran and your last cycle ride to Brodick this time along the not yet explored north-west coastline, where you shall catch the ferry around 7.20pm back to Ardrossan where you shall hand back you bikes.