Hi, our itinerary is for 19 nights, flying into Edinburgh and out of Glasgow in counter-clockwise route. After 3 nights in Edinburgh, we are going to Melrose for 3 nights, then to Crail for 2 nights (seeing Stirling along the way), then to Grantown-on-Spey for 3 nights, then to Plockton for 2 nights, then to Tobermory for 3 nights, then to Glasgow for 3 nights. I'd like to rent electric bikes for little local trips in different areas as we explore- are they available throughout Scotland? Are the roads or trails suitable for them?

One more question- is the drive from Tobermory to Glasgow doable or should we break it up by adding a night or two in Oban or Inveraray (or perhaps Dunoon)? If we did add another stop, we could see some of Glencoe or Trossachs areas on the drive there. And on the last drive to Glasgow, we could go scenically then too.

General interests are history, seaside towns/villages, castles and gardens, churches/religious sites, pretty scenery and local pubs.

Thanks!

I personally would not consider electric (nor non-electric for that matter) bikes for touring. Rural roads are generally pretty narrow with few or any shoulders adequate for riding. Having said that here is a list of cycle routes -- a few of which are on/near your itinerary (#'s 4, 6, 8 & 11)

https://www.visitscotland.com/things...t-cycle-routes

Google something like e-bike hire in [insert town] Scotland to find possible sources

If there are bike rental places available (google maps) where you want to ride then there will be a local community of cyclists and local drivers will be used to seeing them even on narrow roads which will increase your safety. However, as a UK cyclist of many years, cycling on any UK road is not exactly a pleasure. So, if you are confident with traffic you may do very well, if you are uncertain then no.

Pavement/Sidewalk (as janisj reminded me) riding is illegal but can be used in extremis (such issues fill our law courts, so try to avoid it) and with a lot of care.

Even on cycle lanes do not assume that any pedestrian is listening out for a cycle, aware of cycles or not just stoned. So take care. Even the humble bicycle bell, which any rental should come with, can be seen as a beligerent signal so stay calm and think of yourself as a faster moving walker around pedestrians.

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ is the go to place to start with but the local town tourist site will also be useful
https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/ or https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/hi...de-road-safety are good reads before you step into a new country's road system. As a recent American friend began quoting to me the Magna Carta as a reason why he, as a newcomer to our shores, should be able to do something illegal finally admitted. Modern law is local and specific.

https://roadsafety.scot/road-user-advice/cyclists/

The critical difference between the whole of the UK and Scotland is to do with land access and that Scottish police go in pairs. Good luck.

I'm glad you found this thread since you are sort of Fodor's resident biking guru

Conndog: One thing to bear in mind, besides the issues/warnings bilboburgler mentions - when on roads (as opposed to bike paths) every bit of your experience including your natural reactions will be 'wrong'. The traffic will be coming in the wrong direction, the rules of the road are different, likely any evasive movement will likely put you in the path of what you are trying to avoid.

Hi, I appreciate the feedback and advice! It sounds like I should leave the biking at home and just take part in short walks or hikes if I want to see the countryside at a slow pace. The Fife coastal path did look like a possibility, but if it is meant for walking and hiking, perhaps utilizing a bike on it would be not appreciated. And one more thing, biking is so weather dependent- it wouldn't be fun to go out to a place and have it start raining during the ride.

The Aviemore area has a wonderful network of bike trails with bikes for hire locally.A very popular activity in Rothiemurchus, for all ages.Gorgeous scenery.

Melrose in the Borders is also a possibility though routes are hilly and even some cycling sections require main road cycling.

The area has the lovely Borders Abbey Way which I’ve walked some of…to me, the most enjoyable way to experience the Borders.

You can cycle the Fife Coastal trail but it’s pretty rough.Nicer , again, to walk parts of it…my favourite section is Lower Largo to Elie, past some lovely beaches.A good bus service allows you to easily return to your starting point.

You can certainly do Tobermory to Glasgow in one day…it’s about a 2hrs 50 or so drive from Oban to the city though it depends on whether you will hit rush hour around Glasgow.

Breaking it up makes sense however , to see spectacular Glencoe and/or enjoy some time in pretty Inveraray amidst lovely scenery.

Thanks for the tip about Aviemore area cycling- do you know if similar bike paths can be found in Grantown-on-Spey area? I thought we'd base ourselves in Grantown to go to Nairn, do a day trip to Stonehaven and Dunnottar, see the historical sights in the area, and a whiskey tour somewhere. We haven't made reservations anywhere yet and could base ourselves in any town- are there any great pubs you would recommend in Grantown, Aviemore, Dufftown, or another place in the general area? After this part of Scotland we're going next to Plockton and then to Tobermory.

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-r...tance=null&p=1

" . . . and a whiskey tour somewhere"

For a whiskey tour I'm afraid you'd have to pop over to Ireland. The Scottish stuff is Whisky (sans the e )

" . . . do a day trip to Stonehaven and Dunnottar, see the historical sights in the area"

That would be one very long day. Just a loop G-o-S > Dufftown > Huntly > Stonehaven/Dunnottar > Ballater > Tomintoul > G-o-S is about 5 hours car time without any stops or detours. (The loop could be dome either direction). Stops could include Huntly/Dunnottar/Fraser castles, Balmoral and lots more. Dunnottar alone is about a 2 hour stop. If you did nothing BUT a R-T drive out to Dunnottar via the A95/A96 through Dufftown and back with no other sites then its a 4+ hour drive (this route is about 20 miles longer than going via Deeside/Ballater but a bit faster because of the roads.)

There are forestry trails through the Anagach woods at GoS, also long distance walking routes go through the area.Mountain bikes required.

You would be better visiting Stonehaven and Dunnotar after Crail, seeing both en route before you head inland.Otherwise as said, it’s an awful long day trip.Great coastal path between the two, ideal for walking and to me the best way to see the castle.It’s also well worth actually going in…much bigger than you think.

There’s the Winking Owl in Aviemore and for better food, The Old Bridge Inn.Not so familiar with those in GoS which overall is a less busy place.