Bike and Sail the Highlands of Scotland

Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Oban
Day 2: Oban - Toberonochy, 22 mi. (36 km) 
Day 3: Crinan - Loch Caolisport, 21 mi. (35 km) 
Day 4: Isle of Jura, 17 mi. (27 km) 
Day 5: Mull Island: Duart Castle - Salen - Tobermory, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 6: Mull Island: Tobermory - Salen, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Peninsula Morvern: Lochaline - Kingairloch, 16 mi. (26 km)  
Day 8: Departure

Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Oban
Individual flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow and from there either by train or bus to Oban. Your cabins on the Flying Dutchman are ready for check in at 5 pm. Should you arrive earlier, your luggage can be stored on board until check-in time. You are also welcome to use the fee-based transfer service leaving at 5.30 pm from the train station in Edinburgh and at 6 pm from the Edinburgh airport.
During a late dinner, you get to know your crew and tour guides. (Meals included: D)

Day 2: Oban - Toberonochy, 22 mi. (36 km)
After breakfast, you adjust your bicycles and start your first cycle tour, leading south from Oban through hilly landscapes and along the shores of a small highland lake back to the sea. You cross a remote peninsula before embarking on the ferry which takes you to the island of Luing. The island is made up of slate and the mining of the gray glistening rocks played an important economic role in the past. The University of Edinburgh for instance, is largely constructed out of the slate from this small island. At the Tobernochy dock, the Flying Dutchman awaits for a crossing to a secluded bay where the ship will moor for the night.
 (B, D)

Day 3: Crinan - Loch Caolisport, 21 mi. (35 km)
After a short sailing to Crinan, your cycling day begins! First, along the Crinan Canal, leading from Crinan to Lochgilphead. This canal has spared smaller ships making  the long sail around the Kintyre peninsula. Afterwards, you pedal south over the peninsula, most commonly known from the Paul McCartney song. After a scenic cycling tour, we finally reach the deeply-cut, Loch Caolisport and cross over to the Island of Jura.  (B,L)

Day 4:  Isle of Jura, 17 mi. (27 km) 
Before starting today’s bike tour, you are able to 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 the route leads 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 about 5,000 deer that live there. Passing the so-called Paps of Jura, you arrive at a small dock where the Flying Dutchman takes you to the island of Mull. On the way you pass the swirling waters of Corryvreckan, one of the largest natural whirlpools in the world - but do not fear, the experienced crew will guide you safely to a quiet bay on the island of Mull for the night.(B, L, D)

Day 5: Mull Island: Duart Castle - Salen - Tobermory, 37 mi. (60 km)
Today’s cycle tour is dedicated entirely to the spectacular natural beauty of Scotland. The route leads 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 so far have turned off towards Iona, you share the road  only with sheep and shaggy highland cattle grazing peacefully in the bright green meadows. Along an ever-changing coastal road, you cycle past Loch Na’ Keal to Salen where the ship is waiting. On a short crossover on board, you navigate to Tobermoy Bay. In this pretty, little place, with its colorful facades, an evening visit to an original Scottish pub is high on the agenda. This includes trying national dishes such as fish’n’chips or haggis. (B)

Day 6:  Mull Island: Tobermory - Salen, 31 mi. (50 km)
Today you will encounter an elevation gain on you ride through the northern part of the Island of Mull. As a reward a cozy tearoom offers a welcomed reprieve before you 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 you cycle through a lush valley until  the shoreline, shortly before Salen, offering breathtaking views as well as some interesting ships wrecks. The ship awaits again in Salen for a little crossing to Lochaline on the Morvern peninsula, where you throw the anchor for the night. Dinner on board. (B,D)

Day 7: Peninsula Morvern: Lochaline - Kingairloch, 16 mi. (26 km)  
After a small crossing through the Sound of Mull to Lochaline a scenic cycling tour awaits you. After the first ascent, you reach an almost traffic-free road leading through the barren highlands. You follow hillsides, wild mountain streams and moorlands before reachin the Flying Dutchman, to ferry you back to Oban. Before dinner you have the opportunity to take a stroll through Oban. The McCaig's Tower, an incomplete replica of the Coliseum in Rome, is a worthwhile visit. (B, D)

Day 8: Departure, (B)

Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Oban
Day 2: Oban - Toberonochy - Crinan, 22 mi. (36 km) 
Day 3: Crinan - Island of Jura, 23 mi. (37 km) 
Day 4: Isle of Jura - Isle of Mull, 17 mi. (27 km) 
Day 5: Mull Island: Duart Castle - Salen - Tobermory, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 6: Mull Island: Tobermory - Salen, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Peninsula Morvern: Lochaline - Kingairloch, 16 mi. (26 km)  
Day 8: Departure

All distances are approximate. Itinerary is subject to change due to wind and weather considerations.

Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Oban
Individual flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow and from there either by train or bus to Oban. Your cabins on the Flying Dutchman are ready for check-in at 5 pm. Should you arrive earlier, your luggage can be stored on board until check-in time. You are also welcome to use the fee-based transfer service leaving at 5.30 pm from the train station in Edinburgh and at 6 pm from Edinburgh airport.
During a late dinner, you get to know your crew and tour guides. (Meals included: D)

Day 2: Oban - Toberonochy, 22 mi. (36 km)
After breakfast, you adjust your bicycles and start your first cycle tour, leading south from Oban through hilly landscapes and along the shores of a small highland lake back to the sea. You cross a remote peninsula before embarking on the ferry which takes you to the island of Luing. The island is made up of slate and the mining of the gray glistening rocks played an important economic role in the past. The University of Edinburgh for instance, is largely constructed out of the slate from this small island. At the Tobernochy dock, the Flying Dutchman awaits for a crossing to Crinan for the night. (B, D)

Day 3: Crinan - Island of Jura, 23 mi. (37 km) 
Today’s bike tour leads from Crinan to the fascinating excavation site of Kilmartin. Stone circles, which will remind you of the Stonehenge and prehistoric burial mounds, characterize the vast landscape. After visiting the museum grounds and enjoying lunch at the museum Cafe, you return to Crinan. Past the Kintyre Peninsula, famous from the Paul McCartney song ‘Mull of Kintyre’, you continue by boat to the island of Jura. (B,L)

Day 4:  Isle of Jura, 17 mi. (27 km) 
Before starting today’s bike tour, you are able to 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 whiskey. Following the distillery tour the route leads 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 about 5,000 deer that live there. Passing the so-called Paps of Jura, you arrive at a small dock where the Flying Dutchman takes you to the island of Mull. On the way you pass the swirling waters of Corryvreckan, one of the largest natural whirlpools in the world - but do not fear, the experienced crew will guide you safely to a quiet bay on the island of Mull for the night.(B, L, D)

Day 5: Mull Island: Duart Castle - Salen - Tobermory, 37 mi. (60 km)
Today’s cycle tour is dedicated entirely to the spectacular natural beauty of Scotland. The route leads 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 so far have turned off towards Iona, you share the road only with sheep and shaggy highland cattle grazing peacefully in the bright green meadows. Along an ever-changing coastal road, you cycle past Loch Na’ Keal to Salen where the ship is waiting. On a short crossover on board, you navigate to Tobermoy Bay. In this pretty, little place, with its colorful facades, an evening visit to an original Scottish pub is high on the agenda. This includes trying national dishes such as fish’n’chips or haggis. (B)

Day 6:  Mull Island: Tobermory - Salen, 31 mi. (50 km)
Today you will encounter an elevation gain on you ride through the northern part of the Island of Mull. As a reward, a cozy tearoom offers a welcomed reprieve before you 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 you cycle through a lush valley until the shoreline, shortly before Salen, offering breathtaking views as well as some interesting ships wrecks. The ship awaits again in Salen for a little crossing to Lochaline on the Morvern peninsula, where you throw the anchor for the night. Dinner on board. (B,D)

Day 7: Peninsula Morvern: Lochaline - Kingairloch, 16 mi. (26 km)  
After a small crossing through the Sound of Mull to Lochaline, a scenic cycling tour awaits you. After the first ascent, you reach an almost traffic-free road leading through the barren highlands. You follow hillsides, wild mountain streams and moorlands before reaching the Flying Dutchman, to ferry you back to Oban. Before dinner, you have the opportunity to take a stroll through Oban. The McCaig's Tower, an incomplete replica of the Coliseum in Rome, is a worthwhile visit. (B, D)

Day 8: Departure, (B)