This guidebook describes a 528-mile cycling route in northern Scotland.
Starting and finishing in the highland capital Inverness, the circular
route passes through the ancient counties and districts of Wester Ross,
Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross and the Black Isle and is suitable
for mountain, touring and road bikes: the going is entirely on
asphalt-surfaced roads, though many are quiet with little traffic. The
circuit can be comfortably completed in a fortnight.
Featuring clear and concise route description, together with 1:150,000
mapping, gradient profiles, suggested schedules and invaluable practical
information including complete lists of all hostel/bunkhouse
accommodation, official campsites and services for cyclists and advice
on other accommodation and refreshment opportunities, this guidebook
provides all the information needed to plan and execute a terrific cycle
tour. Alternative routes are provided in case you should wish to avoid
the steep ascent of Bealach na BÃ or the undulating Assynt peninsula,
or to include the busier A9 east coast road.
The route boasts stunning scenery and rich historical interest and
cyclists will be treated to mile upon mile of unspoilt wilderness. The
journey takes in varied landscapes of craggy mountains, verdant glens,
rolling peat moorland dotted with lochs and wild rugged coastlines
and if the scenery isn't enough, there are many distilleries and
micro-breweries on or near the route guaranteed to entice. With notes on
history, geology, wildlife and local points of interest, the guide
offers a perfect way to get to know Scotland's captivating far north.
The route
Stage 1 Inverness to Garve
Stage 2 Garve to Lochcarron
Stage 3 Lochcarron to Shieldaig (direct route)
Stage 3A Lochcarron to Shieldaig (via Applecross)
Stage 4 Shieldaig to Gairloch
Stage 5 Gairloch to Ullapool
Stage 6 Ullapool to Lochinver
Stage 7 Lochinver to Kylesku
Stage 8 Kylesku to Durness
Stage 9 Durness to Tongue
Stage 10 Tongue to Melvich
Stage 11 Melvich to John o'Groats (coastal route)
Stage 12 John o'Groats to Melvich (inland route)
Stage 13 Melvich to Altnaharra
Stage 14 Altnaharra to Tain
Stage 12A John o'Groats to Lybster
Stage 13A Lybster to Brora
Stage 14A Brora to Tain
Stage 15 Tain to Nigg (for Cromarty ferry)
Stage 16 Cromarty to Inverness
Stage 15A Tain to Dingwall
Stage 16A Dingwall to Inverness
