Back in May of 2023, Aaron and I embarked on a remarkable journey to Yorkshire, England (for a wedding), followed by a week-long adventure in Scotland. It was a trip filled with unforgettable moments! One of the highlights was dedicating a day to cycling the 72km loop around Trotternish on the renowned Isle of Skye. After hours of navigating narrow roads in our car, shifting gears to our bikes was a breath of fresh air, allowing us to truly immerse ourselves in the sights, sounds, and scents of our surroundings.
Upon reaching the Isle of Skye, we settled into the charming Marmalade hotel, conveniently located near the heart of Portree—a quaint town bustling with shops and eateries. However, a word of caution to future visitors: dinner reservations are a must! We learned the hard way as nearly every dining spot was fully booked. Thankfully, we stumbled upon some decent spots that didn't require reservations, although they weren't traditional Scottish fare. The Marmalade hotel also offered a nice dinner option, but they were also booked up. We opted to rent our bikes from a recently opened shop in town, where the friendly owner and prime location made the experience seamless and enjoyable.
Aaron meticulously charted our course, and while I initially hoped for bike paths over roads, the journey primarily unfolded on roads. Despite my initial nerves, we encountered courteous drivers along the way, and the breathtaking scenery more than compensated for any apprehensions. We lucked out with decent weather—without rain and graced with occasional bursts of sunshine—the ride proved to be a refreshing contrast to our previous day's soggy hike up the Old Man of Storr.
Our Trotternish loop expedition spanned roughly 4 cycling hours, punctuated by stops at scenic lookouts, a visit to the iconic Fairy Glen, and a leisurely late lunch at the charming UIG hotel restuarant. Arriving back at our hotel, weary but fulfilled, we retreated to the lounge for a well-deserved drink, eliciting astonished looks from the waitress who marveled at our ambitious cycling endeavor. It became evident that not all tourists embarked on the full loop, but for us, it was the ideal way to fully absorb the essence of the Isle of Skye. Thankfully I made the wise decision to rent an e-bike for our journey. There was one incredibly large and long climb on our route that I absolutely would not have been able to do on a regular bike. It was 3.65km long and went up 212m, but it had truly an amazing view at the top! Aaron, of course, loved making this climb on the non electric road bike.
Prior to staying in Skye, we indulged in a two-night stay in Edinburgh, treating ourselves to a day of whiskey tasting in the Highlands and Lowlands. I booked a private car and tour guide through experienced tours. A Scottish man wearing a kilt picked us up at our hotel and ported us around all day, giving us a great window to the Scottish scenery, visiting three difference distilleries, and taking us to a wonderful lunch on the water. Continuing our journey after Edinburgh, we ventured to Fort William, where the historic Inverlochy Castle and its picturesque grounds provided a breathtaking backdrop. Aaron even embarked on an early morning trail run up Ben Nevis, despite our indulgent evening of wine and a lavish five-course meal—a feat that left me in awe as I slept soundly through his escapade.
Our Scottish escapade left an indelible mark on us, marking our inaugural visit to the enchanting country. And while our first trip was a revelation, I'm already dreaming of future adventures, with biking around the Isle of Islay topping my list of must-do experiences. Scotland, with its myriad charms and captivating landscapes, has undoubtedly captured our hearts, beckoning us to return for more unforgettable escapades.
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