Cycling The Scottish Isles Islay, Jura, Oronsay & Colonsay

Description

The Scottish Islands of Islay, Jura, Oronsay and Colonsay are part of the Inner Hebrides in the west of Scotland. All these islands form a southern group known for their whisky, wildlife, and rugged landscapes, with Oronsay being a tidal island connected to Colonsay.

• Islay & Jura: Large, well-known islands, with Islay famous for whisky and Jura known for its wild mountains (the Paps of Jura).
• Colonsay & Oronsay: Neighbouring islands, with Oronsay accessible from Colonsay at low tide via tidal sands, featuring a historic priory.
• Location: They are situated off Scotland's west coast, south of Mull and north of the Mull of Kintyre. 

Located at the southern edge of the Inner Hebrides, Islay, Jura, Colonsay and Oronsay combine whisky heritage, sweeping beaches, rugged hills and wildlife rich coastlines. This group is perfect for coast walking, sea-loch paddling, cultural exploration and cycling. You can expect whisky distilleries in abundance, deer-filled glens, tidal islands and Atlantic bays.

Cycling on Islay and Jura in particular offers stunning, wild landscapes with quiet roads, perfect for exploring the Islands distilleries, coastlines, monuments and historic sites and wildlife, using ferries to connect the islands. Jura features one main road ideal for adventure on its single track “Long Road”, while Islay provides flatter, varied routes to get to most places of interest. Our cycling holiday to the island of Jura takes in the majority of the “Long Road” as part the overall trip.

This fully guided cycling holiday is based on Islay and its capital Bowmore, and is our base for the 8-day trip, with its independent shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and other services. All five guided rides are on a mix of terrains but mainly on quiet country roads and lanes and will cover approximately 200 miles, and the scenery and sites are spectacular. The routes chosen are not without their challenges and the islands are well known for the odd steep climb and descent, but some sections offer an easier gradient, with far reaching views over open Scottish countryside. 

Accommodation for this trip is based at The Saddlers House in Bowmore and is highly rated online and is based on a room-only basis, sharing a twin or double-ensuite room or on a sole-occupancy basis. There is a sole occupancy supplement on this holiday (see pricing section). Everyone will have access to kitchen facilities, a lounge or social space and there are some fantastic views from the terrace over towards the sea loch. Please note bike storage is near to the accommodation.

On this holiday, we also offer our group the opportunity to enjoy some downtime and dine out together in a pre-selected choice of local restaurants and hostelries. It’s a great way to get to know each other and enjoy some of the very best food and drink this area has to offer. Please note, pre-booked local taxis will take us from our accommodation to the restaurant or pub and return after the meal. The return taxi fare is not included in the holiday and will be an extra cost individually, which will need to be paid locally. There is no pressure for you to join the group in an evening, just let the guide know you will not be attending.

Everyone who is booked on this trip will receive a bespoke itinerary via email about one week before departure explaining every element of your trip. There are some real highlights to enjoy including a visit to Deer Island, Jura, an opportunity to sample a wee dram at one of the many world famous major smokey whisky distilleries  such as Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg, an opportunity to see Sea Otters at Portnahaven, historic sites such as Kildalton Cross on Islay, secluded beaches like Machir Bay, rugged landscapes such as the Oa Peninsula, abundant wildlife, traditional music and fresh seafood, offering a rich blend of natural beauty and unique island culture. 

We have a return transfer available from the north of England to Islay which includes transport for cyclists, bikes and baggage. This must be booked at the time of booking as there is limited space available. Ask us for details. If you don't want to drive or take the transfer, please note there is a direct bus service from Glasgow Buchannan Street to Kennacraig Calmac Terminal, service 926, operated by Citylink, check out their website for further details, and they carry bikes too! 

Highlights

• Opportunity to visit the historic Kildalton Cross, a historic site on Islay
• Opportunity to visit Deer Island, Jura, and the small hamlet of Craighouse 
• Explore Portnahaven and its impressive seascapes and sea otters
• Stay in good quality accommodation at The Saddlers House, Bowmore
• The chance to visit a variety of quaint island villages 
• Experience some of the very best whisky in the world at one of the many distilleries on Islay or Jura
• Explore the small islands of Oronsay and Colonsay
• Experience wild Scottish landscapes, seascapes and an abundance of wildlife like red deer.
• Dine out at a variety of good quality local restaurants and hostelries

Itinerary

This is a fully guided and supported 8 day cycling trip. Itinerary as follows:

Day 1 - Sunday 18 July 2027

Arrival in Bowmore, Islay
Everyone meets at the Calmac ferry terminal at Kennacraig. If you are booked on the transfer, you will disembark at Kennacraig for the evening ferry to Islay. Everyone on this trip is booked on to the ferry as a cyclist and you can only take your bike and baggage with you. If you have driven to Kennacraig, you will need to park your car in the Calmac car park. You will need to check for car parking charges. The ferry sailing takes two hours. On arrival in Port Ellen, your bags will be transferred to your accommodation. The group will cycle from the port to the accommodation in Bowmore.

Day 2 - Monday 19 July 2027

Ride to Port Ellen and Kildalton Cross (36miles/58km, ascent 1799feet/548m)

After breakfast, we will assemble in the main square in Bowmore near to the accommodation, and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the ride in detail to the group. This ride is graded as grade 3 (see grading system) steady. There are some challenging ascents and descents on this ride. The ride is approximately 36 miles with a coffee and lunch stop and you will ride on some fantastic country roads and lanes and enjoy spectacular scenery. Today’s highlights include Port Ellen, a fishing village and port and an opportunity to visit a whisky distillery, a variety of seascapes and landscape views and the highlight of the ride, the mysterious and historic Kildalton Cross.  The Kildalton Cross on Islay is a remarkably well-preserved, 8^th century Celthic high cross, considered one of Scotland’s finest and most complete early Christian monuments, featuring intricate biblical scenes and spiral patterns carved from local stone standing in its original location in the churchyard of the ruined Kildalton Old Church.

On day 2, after we get back after our ride, please note this is a free evening, no evening meal has been booked, so you will have the opportunity to enjoy the accommodation facilities and dine with your fellow housemates.

Day 3 - Tuesday 20 July 2027

Ride to Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Portnahaven – The Sea Otter ride (38miles/62km, ascent 1962ft/515m)

After breakfast, we will assemble in the main square in Bowmore near to the accommodation, and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the ride in detail to the group. This ride is graded as grade 3 (see grading system) steady. There are some challenging ascents and descents on this ride. The ride is about 38 miles and includes a coffee and lunch stop as part of our ride. We set off from Bowmore and enjoy an early coffee stop at Deb’s café (start of the famous Ride of the Falling Rain) in Bruichladdich and a favourite refreshment stop for local cyclists. We will continue onto Port Charlotte and then turn right onto Portnahaven with its spectacular seascapes over the Atlantic and a great place to see sea otters. We will have the opportunity to enjoy some time here before we return via the coastal road back to Bowmore.

On day 3, after we get back after our ride, an evening meal has been booked at a local restaurant or hostelry in Bowmore for everyone to enjoy.

Day 4 - Wednesday 21 July 2027

Free day/evening and an opportunity to visit and cycle on the islands of Oronsay and Colonsay. 

Day 5 - Thursday 22 July 2027

Half day morning ride to Balygrant and visit to Whisky distillery and tasting (20 miles/32km, ascent 944 feet/287m)

After breakfast, we will assemble in the main square in Bowmore near to the accommodation, and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the ride in detail to the group. This ride is morning only and graded as grade 2, easygoing. The ride is a circular ride, that takes in open moorland and countryside to Balygrant before returning to Bowmore. 

In the afternoon you have the opportunity to enjoy some free time or enjoy a visit to a local Whisky distillery and tasting tour as part of this trip.

In the evening, an evening meal has been booked at a local restaurant or hostelry in Bowmore for everyone to enjoy.

Day 6 - Friday 23 July 2027

Ride to Port Askaig and Isle of Jura – The Deer Island ride (36 miles/58km, ascent 2464 feet/751m)
After breakfast, we will assemble in the main square in Bowmore near to the accommodation, and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the ride in detail to the group. This ride is graded as grade 3-4 (see grading system) steady to challenging. Today we will set off from Bowmore to Port Askaig to catch a short ferry ride to Jura, also known as Deer Island. The short ferry ride is included in the price of your trip. Jura is a wild, sparsely populated island, famous for its population of red deer, rugged landscapes dominated by the Paps of Jura, its famous single malt whisky and its connection to George Orwell. We will cycle to Craighouse, the only village on the Island. You will have time to explore and it’s also our lunch stop. On our return, we follow the same route back to Bowmore via a ferry ride to Port Askaig. This is a superb ride with loads of open countryside views and seascapes towards the Mull of Kintyre.

In the evening, a meal has been booked at a local restaurant or hostelry in Bowmore for everyone to enjoy.

Day 7 - Saturday 24 July 2027

Ride to The Old Chapel, Kilchoman and Distillery (35 miles/56km, ascent 1385 feet/422m)

After breakfast, we will assemble in the main square in Bowmore near to the accommodation, and the Halcyon ride leader will explain the ride in detail to the group. This ride is graded as grade 3 (see grading system) steady. Our very last day’s ride is scenic and breathtaking at the same time. We ride from Bowmore, on a flatish route, to the old, deserted chapel. The views from the chapel are stunning and we will spend some time exploring the area. Onwards we cycle through open countryside with a variety of landscapes and seascapes, and we stop at a local RSPB nature reserve to explore and observe some of the indigenous wildlife, before we continue to the old church at Kilchoman with its impressive and imposing architecture, and lunch at Kilchoman distillery and visitor centre. This is a circular route finishing in Bowmore.

In the evening, our very last celebratory meal has been booked at a very special local restaurant in Port Charlotte, with an enviable reputation for good food and a setting overlooking the sea; it’s a fitting end to a very special week in the Scottish Isles.

Day 8 - Sunday 25 July 2027

Final day and departure
After breakfast, everyone will need to cycle to Port Askaig for the return ferry back to Kennacraig and home. All bags will be transferred by minbus. The ferry leaves in the morning and journey is about 2 hours. Finish Kennacraig.

Accommodation

Accommodation for our trip is The Saddlers House in Bowmore on the waterfront on a room only basis. The property has a number of double and twin rooms, all en-suite. The accommodation also has a kitchen, dining space and a large communal area. Please note bike storage is a short walk away from the accommodation and is fully accessible.

The Cycling

Each individual ride is graded and detailed in the itinerary description. The rides on this cycling trip have been graded between 2 (easygoing) to 3 (steady).

This trip is suitable for most bike types except mountain bikes. 

Group Size: 6-8 people.

Dates & Prices

18-25 July 2027, Price £895. Sole occupancy supplement £100. 

We also have a transfer available from north of England to include cyclists, bikes and baggage. The return transfer cost is £200. This must be booked at the time of booking as there is limited space available.

The price stated is per person.

Additional Info

What’s Included:

• Accommodation (shared twin/double en-suite rooms or for sole occupancy) on a room only basis at The Saddlers House, Bowmore
• Services of a first aid trained ride leader and guide. Please note, we will use the services of a bike mechanic at Islay Bike Hire in Bowmore for the duration of our stay, and there is a taxi repatriation service available if needed
• Bespoke and detailed itinerary emailed to you personally a week before travel
• Return baggage transfer service from port to accommodation
• GPX files emailed in advance of all the rides on this holiday
• Return transfer if booked from north of England to Islay
• Local Halcyon Cycling Holidays representative for the duration of the holiday
• Full financial protection (see booking conditions) 
• Return ferry for cyclists, bags and bikes
  

What’s Not Included:

• Bike and helmets 
• Travel or flight costs or charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
• Meals not stated in the itinerary
• Travel insurance
• Personal clothing and equipment
• Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)
• Entrance fees to cultural or historical sites and visitor centres
• Other optional activities
• Tips for guides, drivers, support staff
• Transfer costs such as local taxis, minibuses to meals booked at local pubs and restaurants

Transfer Information

A limited transfer service is available at an extra charge from north of England to Islay. You will need to book your place at the time of booking. Limited spaces available and subject to availability. Return baggage transfer from port to accommodation is included in the price of your holiday.

Pick-ups:

Start Sheffield Meadowhall Interchange M1 (South Yorkshire) Free car parking here for duration of trip

Wakefield Junction 38 Woolley Edge Services Northbound M1 (West Yorkshire)

Huddersfield Hartshead Moor Services Westbound M62 (West Yorkshire)

Birch Services Westbound M62 (Greater Manchester)

Rivington Services Northbound M61 (Lancashire/Cheshire)

Lancaster Services Northbound M6 (Lancashire)

Please note the minibus and bike trailer will only pick up at certain stops prebooked in advance. Return to same place as outbound.

Bike Hire

Bike hire can be arranged in advance with Islay bike hire. Ask one of our team about arranging for bike hire at the time of booking as this is a special request. On all of our cycling holidays, wearing of a helmet is mandatory.

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