Forum menu
I'm considering a trip to Scotland to satisfy my favourite indulgences, trails on the Intense followed by distillery tours/ sampling/ purchases. I've never ridden that far North. I think Islay is too difficult to get to, but Aviemore is close to Speyside so will probably be my destination, with couple of nights in Peebles to break the journey and ride Newcastleton, Glentress and Innerliethen on the way up, and somewhere around Dalbeattie on the way back. The question surrounds riding in and around the Spey Valley. Is Aviemore any good, has anyone got a tracklog of a good 2 to 3 hour route, are there any decent "centres" or are there better destinations (Fort William/ Glen Coe?). Anyone tried the Balvenie tour? Are the midges always bad? It's quite a trip from Hampshire but I've got a full week to enjoy on my still-lovely 5 yo 66, and I'm after something no more difficult than my usual destinations of the Quantocks/ Skyline/ W2.
If you're coming up all that distance, you'd be wasting your time sticking to trail centres.
However, if you really must, Dalwhinnie is only a few miles from Laggan, and there is plenty of riding in Aviemore.
Golspie is near both Brora and Tain, which ticks off another couple of distilleries, but it may be too far North for you.
What's the point in a distillery tour? (Genuinely don't understand)
I live less than a mile from a distillery and am surrounded by decent trails but have a local to get pished in.
^^what he said, been to one, you been to em' all! Just come up for the wilderness and trail centres if that is what tickles your fancy
edit: and don't get me wrong, I love a wee dram!
Feedback: Innerleithen and Glentress were both fantastic, Mabie and Newcatleton good, Kirroughtree a disappointment. The Balvenie tour is brilliant. Usual Scottish issues - crap beer, crap weather and midges, but a fantastic week North of the Border.
Sorry, but I can't believe you came all the way up to the Highlands and didn't do a single big natural ride. I'm sure you had a great time which is positive, but you came to Scotland and didn't actually do any Scottish mountain biking
What the Captain says.
And crap beer? You were drinking the wrong stuff.
Shame I didn't see this thread earlier I could have given you several spectacular rides taking in distilleries, pubs and award-winning micro-breweries. Oh well, there's always next time.