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Scotland's Hebrides 8-day tall ship Sail & Bike (FD)

  • 8days
  • Scotland

Single bed room:
Twin bed room:
Double bed room:
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Sail & Bike Tours Europe
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Inner Hebrides and Highlands Sail & Bike Tour

Oban is the starting and end point of your tour of the Inner Hebrides and the Highlands. With the tall ship, we visit the island of Mull and the Morvern Peninsula, which belong to the most spectacular landscapes in Scotland but are so far largely untouched by mass tourism. Also the Caledonian Canal is worth seeing and your gate to the Highlands. Admire the fortresses on the island of Mull, stubbornly facing wind and weather, and enjoy the wild scenery of Scotland, its intensive colours and great biodiversity. Treat yourself in the evening to a glass of whiskey in one of the pubs and listen to the ever-present Scottish music. On your crossings with the ship, we watch out for dolphins and whales, and let the grandiose landscape glide by. On our cycle tours, we’ll be looking out for eagles, red deer and otters and gaze down on the sea from the most beautiful lookout points.

Accommodation:

The ship has a world-wide permit to carry out sailing tours. With a sail surface of 480 m2, it is usually possible to cover the stretches between islands under sail, and your captain appreciates any assistance offered by his guests.

Once a herring logger, she was launched in 1903. The conversion took place in 2004 when she was equipped with 10 small but functionally furnished cabins, each with a shower and WC. The front saloon in the deckhouse serves as a cosy dining room and lounge with upholstered benches for seating all guests. At the stern, you can sit beside the captain at the wheel and perhaps even steer the 39-m-long vessel for a while.

Catering:

The cook on board is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one warm meal a day. The full catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). The meals are adapted to the travel conditions. This means no warm meal on the sixth day, but full board on the fourth travel day.

Children:

We believe that only children in a good physical condition and with a minimum age of 10 and previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the cycle-tours on their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1.50 m (5ft.).

Level 2-3:

Moderately difficult tours in mostly hilly stages of 12 – 34 mi./20 – 55 km on usually quiet asphalt roads. In some instances, field paths are used as well. Main roads without separate bike paths are used only exceptionally for brief stretches. This tour includes some longer and steeper ascents where, how-ever, bicycles may be pushed any time. Strong headwinds may also be encountered. Helmet use is mandatory on our tours. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own (well-fitted) helmet. A limited number of rental helmets are available (reservation necessary). Our tours are dependent on weather conditions and the final decision is that of the captain. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend time on board the boat, instead of taking a planned bike-tour.

Due to the necessity to embark/disembark the ship by dinghy, balance and surefootedness are required. Due to the change in tide, ladders my need to be used to access the boat/land, covering height differences of up to 3 m. Sure footedness and balance are essential.

Included in the Scotland Sail and Bike Tour:

  • 8-day cruise on a tall ship with crew
  • 7 nights in a twin cabin below deck with shower/toilet
  • 7 x half board
  • Guided cycling tours as described in itinerary
  • Overview-maps for the daily tours on board
  • Bed linen and towels
  • English speaking tour guide

Not included in the tour :

  • Journey to Scotland
  • Drinks on board  (flat rate for beverages: beer, wine, soft drinks, drinking water, tea, coffee: 75GBP/80EUR)
  • Meals ashore
  • Entrance fees to museums and sights
  • Tips for crew and tour guides

If you would like to rent a bike (80 EUR) or e-bike (180 EUR), please contact our office when booking: [email protected] 

Extras:

  • Shared twin cabin (on request)
  • Minimum number of participants: 14
  • Collective transfer Edinburgh centre (5.30pm) / Edinburgh airport (6.00pm) to ship in Oban 50 Euros p.p.
  • Collective transfer Oban to Edinburgh Airport (7.00am to reach flights starting from 12.noon) 50Euros p.p.

Slow Tours offers a number of Sail & Bike Tours in Europe

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  • Day 1

    Oban (Embarkation)

    Individual flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow and from there either by train or bus to Oban. Your cabins are ready for check in at 6 pm. Should you arrive earlier, your luggage can be stored on board until check-in time. You are also welcome to use our fee-based transfer service leaving at 5.30 pm from Edinburgh centre and at 6 pm from the Edinburgh airport. During a late dinner, you get to know your crew and tour guides.

  • Day 2

    Oban - Toberonochy - Crinan (aprx. 22 mi. /36 km) (B, D)

    After breakfast we adjust our bicycles and start our first leg of the cycle tour. We head southwards from Oban through hilly landscapes and along the shores of a small highland lake back to the sea. Here we cross a remote peninsula before embarking on the ferry which takes us to the island of Luing. The island is made up of slate and the mining of these gray glistening rocks played an important economic role in the past. The University of Edinburgh for instance, is largely constructed out of the slate off of this small island. At the Tobernochy dock, the ship awaits us for our cross over to Crinan where we will spend the night.

  • Day 3

    Crinan – Isle of Jura (aprx. 23 mi. /37 km) (B, L)

    Today’s bike tour takes us from Crinan to the fascinating excavation site of Kilmartin. Stone circles, which remind us of the Stonehenge and prehistoric burial mounds, characterize the vast landscape. After visiting the museum grounds and enjoying lunch at the museum Cafe, we return to Crinan. Past the Kintyre Peninsula, famous from the Paul McCartney song ‘Mull of Kintyre’, we continue by boat to the island of Jura..

  • Day 4

    Isle of Jura (aprx. 17 mi./27 km) (B,L, D)

    Before we start today’s bike tour, we take part in a guided tour of the famous Jura-Distillery and gain first-hand knowledge of the processes involved in the production of great whisky. Following the distillery tour we cycle northwards on the isle of Jura. The renowned author, George Orwell, spent the last three years of his life here and described it as the most unattainable place on earth. Enjoy the tranquility of the island, which is only occasionally disturbed by one of the 5,000 deer that live there. Passing the so-called Paps of Jura we arrive at a small dock where the ship takes us to the island of Mull. On the way we pass the swirling waters of Corryvreckan, one of the largest natural whirlpools in the world - but do not fear, our experienced crew will guide us safely to a quiet bay on the island of Mull for the night.

  • Day 5

    Mull Island: Duart Castle - Salen - Tobermory (aprx. 32 mi. /52 km) (B, D)

    Today’s cycle tour is dedicated entirely to the spectacular natural beauty of Scotland. The route takes us through hilly terrain and along the Island’s coastline. Behind every bend in the road another breath-taking view awaits. After the road divides and the few cars that we have encountered along the way have turned off towards Iona, we share the road virtually only with sheep and shaggy highland cattle grazing peacefully in the bright green meadows. Along an ever-changing coastal road, we cycle past Loch Na’ Keal to Salen where the ship is waiting for us. We enjoy a pleasant evening docked in the quiet harbour of Salen, able to soak in the beautiful sunset.

  • Day 6

    Mull Island: Tobermory - Salen (aprx. 31 mi./50 km) (B)

    Today we will encounter an elevation gain on our ride through the northern part of the Island of Mull. As a reward a cozy tearoom offers us a welcomed reprieve before we head for the brilliant white beach of Calgary Bay and its crystal clear water. It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland and swimming enthusiasts should not pass up this opportunity to jump in for a refreshing swim. Ship ward bound we cycle through a lush valley until we meet the shoreline, shortly before Tobermory. In this pretty little place, with its colourful facades, an evening visit to a typical Scottish pub is high on the agenda. While here we can taste the delicious national dishes such as fish n chips and haggis.

  • Day 7

    Peninsula Morvern: Lochaline - Kingairloch (aprx. 16 mi./26 km) (B, D)

    After a small crossing through the Sound of Mull to Lochaline a scenic cycling tour awaits us. After the first ascent, we reach an almost traffic-free road leading through the barren highlands. We follow hillsides, wild mountain streams and moorlands before we reach the Flying Dutchman, to ferry us back to Oban. Before dinner we have the opportunity to take a stroll through Oban. The Mc Caig's Tower, an incomplete replica of the Coliseum in Rome, is a worthwhile visit.

  • Day 8

    Oban (Disembarkation) and return home (B)

    After breakfast, individual return trip home from Oban or group transfer to the Edinburgh airport.

    Changes: We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary, depending on wind and weather conditions or organisational requirements.

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Tours marked with are special prices.

Start End Max. No. Guests Accommodation Price p.p.
Jun 11 2023 Jun 18 2023 22 Single rooms 2,290€
Double rooms 1,690€
Jun 18 2023 Jun 25 2023 22 Single rooms 2,290€
Double rooms 1,690€
Jun 25 2023 Jul 02 2023 22 Single rooms 2,290€
Double rooms 1,690€
Aug 20 2023 Aug 27 2023 22 Single rooms 2,290€
Double rooms 1,690€
Aug 27 2023 Sep 03 2023 22 Single rooms 2,290€
Double rooms 1,690€
Sep 03 2023 Sep 10 2023 22 Single rooms 2,290€
Double rooms 1,690€

Car rental Scotland

If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.

Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote

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Maximum participants  34
This tour has the capacity for 34 people
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