Scotland

You will arrive at the grand gates of Thirlestane Castle in the early afternoon. Once you've settled in, there will be a light lunch awaiting you in the refined comfort of the Panelled Room. After a short briefing and bike fitting, we’ll head out for a warm-up ride around the estate, concluding with relaxed G&Ts under the "fairy tree". This evening, we gather for a welcome dinner with your hosts in the castle's state dining room, a banquet hall lined with Maitland family portraits and offering stunning garden views. Dine like former residents around a beautifully decorated table for a truly atmospheric meal.

After breakfast in the castle's Victorian kitchen, we'll cycle off-road along the scenic Southern Upland Way. On our way to explore the storied ruins of the border abbeys, look out for the incredible Leaderfoot Viaduct and catch a glimpse of the statue of William Wallace. Following lunch, we head to the picturesque Eildon Hill to take in the iconic views in a landscape central to this journey. This evening we'll relax back at Thirlestane Castle with a BBQ dinner.

We start our day with a short transfer to the heart of the Scottish Borders and the southernmost part of our journey. We'll visit the Bowhill House and Gardens for a tour of the Buccleuch family's outstanding art collection, with paintings ranging from an exceptional series of family portraits by Thomas Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds, to fine landscapes by Claude and van Ruisdael. We'll enjoy a wild-foraged lunch beside the enchanting Tweed River with optional fly fishing for salmon in the afternoon. This evening features a special highlight: a Scottish piper will play everyone in for dinner and share insights into the history of the pipes before we dine in the grandeur of the State Dining Room of Thirlestane Castle.

We begin today with a transfer to the small village of Heriot, then cycle through the coniferous Traquair Estate for a tour and lunch at Traquair House, Scotland's oldest inhabited fortified house and the home of the famous Bear Gates. For dinner, we take a short stroll into Lauder for dinner at an 18th century coaching inn.

Our final and most challenging day takes us into the moorland of the Lammermuir Hills. Starting on the edge of Greenlaw Moor, we will climb to the Whiteadder Reservoir for a remote picnic lunch via the Herring Road. In the afternoon, the landscape changes dramatically as we head north to Garvald. We return to Thirlestane for a whisky tasting in the vaulted cellar and a final celebratory dinner in the State Dining Room.

After a relaxed morning breakfast served in the Victorian kitchen, you are free to depart at your leisure. Taking with you memories of the rugged and historic Scottish Borders.