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 Victorian kitchen of the castle, we cycle off-road along the scenic Southern Upland Way toward Melrose Abbey to explore its storied ruins. Following lunch, we head to the rolling Eildon Hills for an out-and-back walk to take in the iconic views. The afternoon continues with a ride to the atmospheric Dryburgh Abbey and the Leaderfoot Viaduct. We return to Thirlestane for a relaxed BBQ dinner in the Victorian Kitchen.

Today we transfer to the serene St Mary’s Loch for a scenic ride through the heart of the Borders to The Yair for a wild-foraged lunch set beside the enchanting Tweed River. In the afternoon, we visit the Bowhill Estate 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 Ruysdael. 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 Forest to reach Traquair House, Scotland's oldest inhabited fortified mansion. After a tour and lunch on-site, you can choose to return to the castle or enjoy optional fly fishing for salmon on the River Tweed at The Yair. For dinner, we take a short stroll into Lauder to eat at The Black Bull, an 18th century coaching inn.

Our final and most challenging day takes us into the moorland of the Lammermuir Hills. Starting from the village of Garvald, we climb to the Watch Water Reservoir for a remote picnic lunch. 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.