At the same time I feel strongly about protecting our wild places. My travels on a bike in Scotland ... Day 2. A great network of trails. 2. While you might like the look of a map sheet on your wall at home, for easier access in your pocket, the OS Maps App is worth downloading to access them. Filmed on a 331-kilometer gravel bikepacking route in Scotland, Drovers tells the story of the ancient Scottish roads that are an integral part of the country’s history. Community consultations and an online survey will form the first phase of the project. Canister gas with a threaded fitting is easy to come by in the UK, and gas stoves generally perform best. Air travelers are likely to arrive at Edinburgh or Glasgow airports, which both have good transport links. One of the larger Roman camps at Trimontium in Melrose lies on the route of the Capital Trail, and the route itself follows the Roman route as it travels south along the ridge from lauder to Melrose. Other, older roads are likely to be encountered, like the drove roads which were routes for livestock to be taken from rural farms to markets in the towns and cities. The Dark Ages saw Scotland as three kingdoms: the Picts in the north-east, Anglo-Saxon Northumbria in the south-east, and Dál Riata in the west, which was a product of gaelic-speaking Irish settlers. Day: GPS, navigation, campcraft, first aid etc. The Clearances emptied the Highlands of much of their human population, but the system of land ownership is largely intact and private landowners own huge tracts of land. If you’re planning a gravel/road tour, then the same logic applies as our gravel tracks are rain-rutted and rocky, and the roads are often not much better! While some tenant farmers were forced out by landowners looking to replace them with more profitable sheep, and some chose to emigrate to escape famine and poverty, the end result was huge numbers of people leaving the Highlands, and abandoned settlements like the township on the coastal trail just north of Achmelvich on the Highland Trail 550. to support us & get The Bikepacking Journal. Scotland might be a relatively small place, but the folds of its hills and glens are packed with millennia of history, stories, and enough roads, tracks, and trails to keep a bikepacker busy for a lifetime. Riders enjoying the inaugural Surly Dunoon Dirt Dash, a two-day bikepacking event taking place in and around Dunoon. Good practise is to check yourself for ticks at least once a day: they particularly like warm, damp areas like the backs of your knees, inner thighs, and under the hem of your socks. Before the opening of the Atlantic Ocean, Scotland was originally part of the North American continent and separated from England by an earlier ocean. Scotland is a land with incredible natural assets and a rich history, and Bikepacking Scotland’s vision is to provide people with ideas to harvest this potential. The resulting rift can be seen today as a string of dramatic volcanic calderas down the west coast, such as the one at Ardnamurchan point, or the islands of Rhum and Skye. The red deer is easily recognisable, and the famous painting Monarch of the Glen was painted in a cottage that riders can pass right by in Glen Feshie on the Cairngorms Loop, though only the chimney stack now remains. The golden eagle is the most well-known bird, and both they and the larger white-tailed eagle can now be seen frequently, on the islands in particular. Smarter Choices Smarter Places is all about creating a modal shift from cars to more sustainable forms of transport and it’s great to see such a sustainable, environmentally friendly approach to tourism contributing to this modal shift.”, Pete Crane, Head of Visitor Services for the Cairngorms National Park, said “The latest Cairngorms National Park visitor survey shows that 57% of our visitors – that’s 1.2 million people each year – want to enjoy a low level walk with great things to experience, with well over a quarter of a million enjoying a bike ride. They had everything planned, but nothing went as planned. Fringing the west coast lie over 900 islands, among which the larger islands of Mull and Skye, and the long archipelago of the Outer Hebrides, are home to their own unique geographies and ecosystems. The fox is the largest land predator, but plans for a controlled reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx are gathering momentum. The Highlands themselves are a geologist’s dream, containing hugely varied rock formations all packed tightly together. These routes already have their own in-depth route guides and additional resources, including BIKEPACKING.com’s ever-growing route library. Crossing the northern Lake District and Pennines before descending on railway paths to Sunderland or Tynemouth. It might be meditative solo outing. Ride of Passage is her reflection on her first trip to Scotland, along with some advice on how to get started. Temperatures are very rarely cold enough to make a liquid-fuel stove worth the weight, although you might prefer the simmer control for cooking up a gourmet feast. Perfect conditions for a new 8bar adventure . Follow the links to get detailed information for each route, browse the list to find inspiration, or link existing routes together using your imagination! Ice covered the entire mainland of Scotland until just under 13,000 years ago, when early groups of settlers began to move north through Europe. Water in the Highlands is often safe to drink if there are no buildings or grazing animals upstream. The new video from round the world singlespeed cyclist, film-maker and Bikepacking Scotland founder Markus Stitz follows him on his adventure along the route, retracing the footsteps of the cattle drovers on their journey from the Cairngorms through the Tay Valley to Crieff, which became Scotland’s most important cattle market at the end of the 17th century. When I was 15 years old, I went to Scotland to study English in the city of Edinburgh. More information about the project can be found at www.perthshiregravel.com and Highland Perthshire Cycling’s Facebook page @HighlandPerthshireCycling and on our social channels. If you’re visiting in summer, make sure that your shelter is midge-proof. Originally published in The Bikepacking Journal 03, Ditibised is Alexandera Houchin’s extraordinary story of training for the Tour Divide, framed in four seasons…. The Gaels were pushed west and formed a kingdom known as Alba, while the Pictish kingdom ceased to exist. Always along the east coast to the northernmost point of the Isle of Arran. In 1746, the Jacobite rebellion led by Charles Stuart (‘Bonny Prince Charlie’) was roundly defeated by the British government at Culloden, just outside Inverness. This project offers so much for visitors; the chance to safely, responsibly and slowly enjoy the amazing culture of Cateran Country and the southern Cairngorms in a way that brings our heritage to life. The cycling routes include the Dunoon Dirt Dash bikepacking route, a road bike loop around the Cowal Peninsula and a mountain bike ride around Loch Eck. First aid kit – Tape, dressing pad, painkillers, antiseptic wipes, plasters 6. It’s a precious and relatively recent change to the way Scotland views the public relationship with its land. Scotland’s wildlife has struggled against over-exploitation of mountain land and persecution of predators by sporting estates, whose primary interests are in raising numbers of target species (generally red grouse and red deer) at the expense of habitat and species conservation, although this tradition could be in the process of changing for the better. Scotland 2-Day Itinerary: How to see the best of Scotland in 2 Days In Europe , More Travel , Scotland , Travel Itineraries , Travel Tips & Advice by Anya February 29, 2020 Scotland is pretty big…but at the same time, you don’t want to end up spending an entire trip to Europe in Scotland alone. Iconic routes like the Highland Trail 550 attract racers and tourers alike, but in almost every corner of this intricately connected country there are adventures to be had for those willing to embrace the challenge, ranging from ‘tarmac in name only’ to chunky, rugged mountainous singletrack. The Go East Lothian Trail – a new 63km route that will make you smile! Two wheels, no rules: bikepacking across Scotland Where hiking can be a slog, cycling offers freedom. Even the capital, Edinburgh, has a skyline that is dominated by the extinct volcano of Arthur’s Seat. We had 2 weeks to ride wherever we wanted to go. These are just some common place name elements, but by putting them together we can learn that the iconic hill Buachaille Etive Mor is ‘the big shepherd of Glen Etive’, and that Am Monadh Ruadh are ‘the red mountains’. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. It is available to download as PDF for free here. It is possible to text a message to the 999 number, but this requires. TRIP INFO. Bikepacking and cycle touring in Scotland. Simply put, bikepacking is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping; it evokes the freedom of multi-day backcountry hiking, with the range and thrill of riding a mountain bike. The success of the Perthshire Gravel Trails Project demonstrates that bikepacking and gravel cycling are no longer niche activities. After a short or long day in the outdoors, Dunoon has plenty on offer to relax and great choices to stay overnight. ... Bikepacking Scotland: The Capital Trail. A shelter with a bug net is highly recommended, and I’ve never understood why I still see so many people bivvying in summer, usually looking a bit demented and covered in small red bites. MTB tyres in the 2.6-3.0” range are ideal. The National Museum of Scotland, in Edinburgh, is also well worth an afternoon’s wandering at the start or end of a trip. Much has been written about Scotland here on BIKEPACKING.com, and the following are a handful of my favorite pieces from over the years. However, if you’re travelling from abroad you might not have heard of the Ordnance Survey, which is the UK’s national mapping agency. More information can be found on the park’s website. Posted on September 27, 2016 May 21, 2018 by 6am Fit Club. I sought to use the story of the cattle drovers to draw parallels with the adventurous spirit of bikepacking nowadays, while showcasing the immense beauty of the area, not just for cyclists. Mountain Rescue is coordinated by the police service, so in the event of an emergency you should call 999 and ask for the police. I love going on adventures when most pro riders put their bikes down. Saturdays, … Day 2: Midges and the solitude of the Scottish West-Coast. Unlike those south of the border, in Scotland we are lucky enough to enjoy a universal right of outdoor access. Visit this section to learn how to choose a route, and some insight into navigation. The Gaelic alphabet has 18 letters, missing the J, K, Q, V, W, X,Y, and Z of the English alphabet, and each is named for a tree or plant, hence the A, B, C of Ailm, Beith, Coll—elm, birch and hazel. Next to traditional cycle touring, mountain biking and road cycling, bikepacking and gravel cycling can become key drivers to establish a more sustainable, regenerative approach to tourism in Scotland. Good and bad weather can be had at any time of year, often occurring in the same day or even the same hour. Their maps cover the entire country and are easily available in 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 scales, with 1:50,000 being the most useful for cyclists. By 6:30am I was on the road again. ‘Scotland’ as a nation-state emerged in the 12th and 13th centuries, until the death of Alexander III in 1296 broke the line of succession and led to the Scottish Wars of Independence. On the smaller-scale maps, fence lines and even large boulders are mapped with astonishing accuracy, and they’re as much a work of art as a planning tool. The following routes have been designed and tested by Bikepacking Scotland. You might choose a hooped-bivvy or one of any number of tent styles to meet these two criteria, but you’ll be glad for both, whatever you go for. Jenny Tough, an Edinburgh-based adventure traveller and endurance challenger, who has recently taken part in the Dunoon Dirt Dash, is excited about the potential of Rail and Sail: ‘I am very passionate about human-powered endurance challenges and encouraging others to explore this beautiful planet. Start Here, Broadly speaking, there are three bikepacking genres to choose from – Multi-day Mountain Biking, Ultralight Race & Gravel, and Expedition & Dirt Touring. In the ancient rocks of the far north, monolithic mountains stand proud and isolated on plains of ice-scoured bedrock. The Capercaillie, a species of giant grouse, is a rare but welcome sight in the Scots pine forests of the Cairngorms, as is the Crossbill, the pine marten and the critically endangered Scottish Wildcat. This time we created something that is short, suitable if you are trying to get into bikepacking, fun to take your family on and also short enough to get around the route with one charge on an e-bike. It started on the first day in Lamlash from the base camp of Grinduro. A great way to explore one of the quieter parts of the Highlands, along with the chance to meet and chat with those of us who live here and want to share our love of this amazing place.”, Janet Hunter, Director of the Cateran Ecomuseum, said “We’re very pleased to have been able to put together such a sizeable budget for Active Travel in the Ecomuseum and very grateful to our funders, especially given the very difficult context of the Pandemic. The two merged, and modern day North America split off again around 60 million years ago. The relevance of geology to bikepackers is, literally, right at our feet, and riding here is a great way to see the ground change beneath your tyres. Road travel is fairly straightforward. The project mapped and promoted hundreds of miles of traffic-free off-road cycling routes across Highland Perthshire for varying abilities of rider, and was, as yet, our biggest project. Care should be taken when removing ticks to minimise the risk of disease transmission: the received wisdom of burning, ‘unscrewing’ or suffocating them encourages regurgitation, which increases the chances of infection, and should be avoided. Wild About Argyll has teamed up with Bikepacking Scotland and Calmac Ferries to promote a series of car-free walking and cycling adventures for various abilities, starting at Dunoon Pier and Benmore Botanic Gardens. Situated on the Cowal Peninsula, the seaside resort is a gateway to the great outdoors, with an abundance of walking and cycling adventures accessible easily by public transport from the ferry pier. The traditional Gaelic is making a small resurgence, in fact. They love calm, overcast, and humid weather, but are driven away by winds over 12km/h or so. Cairn Gorm in the east, that paint a good picture of what’s going on in higher terrain. Travel for All Our Tomorrows will grow the number of Regenerative Tourism experiences offered by the Cateran Ecomuseum and kickstart a campaign to position it as one of Scotland’s premier car-free holiday destinations. Overview: Geography, History, Language, Outdoor Access Code, Transport and Logistics Tyres on the comfortable side of the spectrum and with a little bite are generally the best. Or even a chance to spend undiluted time with family. The various teams are staffed by dedicated, highly trained volunteers, and there is no cost to the end user. With a combined ticket for train and ferry travel, which can be bought at staffed stations, online or on the train, it is the perfect opportunity for a spontaneous escape to Scotland’s Adventure Coast and the opportunity to get #wildaboutargyll without a car. Viewranger is another popular option. If it sounds like a drysuit is going to be your next purchase then don’t worry, it’s rare to get a week of uniformly horrible weather, but in Scotland it generally pays to pack for the worst and hope for the best. Ticks can be found from February right through to November. All my food that can’t fit in saddle pack. Click the link below to learn about each. Gear choices are, of course, a hugely subjective thing, but if you’re coming from the deserts of Arizona or somewhere similar then you might find a couple of handy ideas below. As with any multi-day trip to damper regions, a decent waterproof jacket is a must. You can plan your own route, but you can also make good use of the hard work others have put in already. Dunoon’s setting and the easy access by ferry and train makes it even more tempting to return soon.’, The campaign features a short film showcasing the area and the opportunities Dunoon offers. Weather, Planning, and Safety 5. The Go East Lothian Trail At 63 km the Go East Lothian Trail is perfect for families, microadventures or a long day ride. Combining two of Scotland’s heritage paths and crossing a mixture of surfaces and countryside, this 92-mile route makes for an epic day ride, or a highly enjoyable two day adventure with an overnight stay in Ballater. “I am looking forward to working with the Cateran Ecomuseum on this forward-thinking project. You will of course need a valid passport to visit the UK and Scotland (or a national identity card if you’re from an EEA country or Switzerland). Filmed on the ‘Drovers Trail’, our latest 331-km-long gravel bikepacking route spanning almost the entirety of Highland Perthshire, ‘Drovers’ tells the story of the ancient drove roads, an important part of Scottish history, which inspired Scotland’s greatest writers like Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott. In most cases, you get four walls and a roof, but some have a fireplace, sleeping platforms, tables and chairs. What is Bikepacking? Offering people good alternatives to ditch the car and spontaneously have an adventure to explore their own limits is a great idea.’, Steve Bate MBE, adventurer and double Paralympic Champion, has been to Argyll twice in a year and loves the opportunities Dunoon offers for cycling:  ‘Argyll is a fantastic part of Scotland to be explored. Even in serious incidents, it’s not unusual for bad weather to prevent helicopter support, and in remote areas of the Highlands an emergency response can take several hours to reach a casualty. In this feature story, Ben Page offers a reminder of the value of getting out on shorter, simpler trips, instead of getting wrapped up in planning something big... Scotland is perhaps the most captivating and storied bikepacking destination in the world, attracting countless intrepid cyclists every year. We have got everything: Forests, mountain bike trails, boating, fishing, botanical gardens; nature at its finest.’. The fact that the teams are volunteers, who undertake personal risk in order to mount searches in Scotland’s notoriously fickle weather, places a responsibility on outdoor users to be prepared. Along the lines of Sweden’s allemansrätten, we have the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 to thank for that. Bits n pieces: Add us on Twitter and Instagram and tag us or use #waat to share your memories! Weekend: bikepacking or gravel touring journeys. The Romans did conquer England and southern Scotland, but the Forth-Clyde isthmus marked the northernmost reach of their control, and they abandoned it around 165 AD. A Weekender bikepacking route can generally be ridden in 2-3 days, and is extremely rewarding in its own, perfectly packaged way. The Covid-19 restrictions, John Muir Way Stage 1: Helensburgh to Auchinstarry, John Muir Way Stage 2: Auchinstarry to Edinburgh, John Muir Way Stage 3: Edinburgh to Dunbar, Go East Lothian Trail – North Berwick to Dunbar, Go East Lothian Trail – Dunbar Station to North Berwick, Wild About Argyll Trail – Helensburgh to Portavadie, Wild About Argyll Trail 2 – Tarbert to Oban, Wild About Argyll Trail 4 – Port Appin to Helensburgh, Bikepacking Scotland to work with the Cateran Ecomuseum to create cycling journeys for Travel for All Our Tomorrows – £82,640 of investment secured to develop a second stage of Regenerative Tourism experiences, Our final report rounds up the highly-successful first phase of the Highland Perthshire Gravel Trails Project, The Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER Programme, Unhurried – Our new film celebrates the experience of bikepacking Scotland coast to coast on the John Muir Way, Our latest gravel bikepacking route launches with Drovers, a film about the ancient drove roads in Scotland, Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER Programme 2014-2020, SSE Griffin and Calliachar Community Fund, Leave the car behind, catch the ferry and have an adventure in Dunoon, Bikepacking Scotland works with Highland Perthshire Cycling at a new Gravel Trails Project across Highland Perthshire, New cycle carriages for the West Highland Line. 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