| The
riverside town of Perth is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. It is the starting
point for a tour which combines beautiful scenery with history and splendour.
Only three miles from Perth is Huntingtower Castle with its splendid painted ceiling
whilst at Dunkeld beside the River Tay is the ancient Cathedral. Blair Castle
with its thirty-two rooms of beautiful furniture, fine paintings, china, embroidery
and armour is only six miles from your overnight stop at the Victorian Highland
Resort of Pitlochry. Next day the road winds down the valley of the River Ardle
to reach the charming small town of Blairgowrie in the fertile Vale of Strathmore.
Visit the heraldic workshop in the former mill at Keithbank, from there the Castle
Trail leads to the famous Glamis Castle home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne,
a royal residence since 1372. Something special for the last day is Scone Palace,
the former crowning place of the Kings of Scotland, with its fabulous collection
of furniture, rare porcelain, clocks, ivories, needlework and the unique Vernis
Martin collection. | Ref:
Sc/c/1.3/BGS/SCO Unguided
8 days / 7 nights Departures
Daily, 1 April until 31 October PROGRAM Day
1 Arrive at Perth
Perhaps time to stroll to the shops, walk by the River
Tay or climb Kinnoull Hill for a magnificent view of Perth and the Tay Valley.
Evening at 19h00: collect cycles and equipment, route briefing.
Day 2 Perth - Dunkeld 17 ml (27 km)
Cycle two miles from Perth to visit
Scone Palace, a treasure house of furniture, ivories, fine porcelain, needlework
and the unique Vernis Martin. From there you cycle north through the rolling farmland
of Perthshire to the historch Cathedral town of Dunkeld, situated on the banks
of the River Tay. It has a peaceful character and charmingly restored eighteenth
century houses forming a small Square. Cathedral Street leads from there to the
partly restored Cathedral construction of which began in 1318.
Day 3 Dunkeld - Pitlochry 19 ml (30 km)
Leave Dunkeld alnt the
riverside path to the Cathedral imagining the many years of history that it has
seen. Follow the river on a peaceful route away from traffic for 3km before using
the main road bridge to reach the minor road to Logierait. Another bridge to cross
and a climb before the quiet elevated road gives wonderful views of the fast flowing
Rivers Tay and Tummel. Past the Dunfallandy Stone and into the busy Victorian
town of Pitlochry. One of the town's best-known attractions is Pitlochry Dam and
Fish Ladder. Created in the 1950's the Dam has an underwater viewing chanber,
which allows visitors to watch salmon navigating the specially constructed fish
ladder, which bypasses the dam. A chance to visit the large Blair Atholl Distillery
or Scotland's smallest Distillery - Edradour. 6 miles north of Pitlochry is Blair
Castle with its 32 fully furnished rooms fine furniture, paintings and armour.
Day
4 Pitlochry - Galmis 31 ml (50 km)
Climb eastwards from Pitlochry
across the moors, downhill to follow the River Ardle through typical highland
scenery of forests and glens to pass the small town of Kirriemuir. If time permits
visit Glamis Castle family home of the Earls of Strathmore and a royal residence
since 1372. Remodelled in the seventeenth century the Castle contains magnificent
rooms with a wide range of historic pictures, furniture, porcelain and tapestries.
Day 5 Glamis - Dundee/Tayport 17 ml/20 ml (27 km/36 km)
Travel through
the small villages and fertile farming land of the Vale of Strathmore to Newtyle.
A stiff climb over the Sidlaw Hills leads to the outskirts of the riverside city
of Dundee. Situated at the mouth of the River Tay this industrial city has a long
and chequered history. Still a thriving port it has two historic ships to visit,
Discovery famous for its role in Arctic Exploration and the oldest wooden ship
afloat, the Frigate Unicorn. Verdant Works contains a fine exibition of Dundee's
textile heritage. Climb Dundee Law in the centre of the city for magnificent views
in all directions
Day 6 Dundee/Tayport - St Andrews 15 ml/18ml (24 km/29 km)
Cross the Tay Bridge to Newport and continue round the coast, past the former
river crossing at Tayport and spend a little time away from the tarmac on the
tracks of Tentsmuir Forest. Through Leuschars village with its busy air base and
a climb to reach the village of Strathkinness. A lovely panoramic view over the
Firth of Tay and beyond as you descend into St Andfrews. Once the ecclesiastical
capjital of Scotland, St Andrews is now better know as the "Home of Golf". It
is also home to Scotland's oldest university with many fine buildings set in a
combination of medieval, Edwardian and Victorian streets. Visit the ruined Castle
and Cathdral or take a stroll on wide expanse of golden West Sands. Day
7 St. Andrews - Perth 35 ml (56 km) Leave St. Andrews on the cycle
route past Craigton Park and continue to visit the Falkland Palace, set in the
heart of a unique medieval village. It was the country residence and hunting lodge
of eight Stuart monarchs. It includes the exceptionally beautiful Chapel Royal
and is surrounded by internationally known gardens. Perhaps take tea in Auchtermuchty
before climbing the hill to Pimedden Forest and then down into the Tay Valley
and Perth. Day
8 Depart from Perth INCLUDED
- Cycle and Equipment
Hire
-
B&B Accommodation in Twin/Double Rooms
-
Tour Information including Maps and Routes
-
Cycle Tickets/ Reservations on Trains
-
Emergency Backup; baggage transport
Excluded
- Lunches and Dinners
- Entrance
fees for castles
We provide all the necessary equipment, excellent cycles, helmets, panniers,
rain gear, maps, etc., and your overnight accommodation has been selected with
care. Luggage transfer, rail, coach and airport collection services are available
RATES
Contact info@bikeandhike.co.za
for rates and specials.
Additional
nights available
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