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Campervan tour of Scotland - for mountain bikers
If you're into mountain biking then you'll know that Scotland is a Mecca. The small but beautiful country at the top of the UK boasts numerous custom-built mountain biking centres, as well as mile upon mile of fantastic cross country routes.
And if you're looking for a great way to travel with your mountain bike then a campervan is the ideal solution. Mountain bike riders are notorious for wanting to spend as many hours as possible out on the trails and so they often look for accommodation that is close to the best mountain bike centres. Self-catering is also a popular option.
But a campervan offers the ultimate flexibility of transport AND accommodation, as I found during a recent mountain biking tour of Scotland. The great thing about a campervan is that it's possible to park or wild camp very close to many of Scotland's best mountain biking centres.
Most campervan hire companies will also hire out a bike rack so that people and bikes can easily travel to their chosen destination. I travelled in a campervan hired from the acclaimed Perthshire-based Big Tree Campervans.
With a campervan it's easy to drive to your destination, park up, eat, sleep and then spend all day mountain biking. If this sounds like the perfect holiday for you then check out the five mountain biking hot spots that I have discovered.
Five great mountain biking hotspots for campervanners:
Highland Wildcat Trails, Golspie, Sutherland
This centre boasts fantastic views and Scotland's longest purpose-built single track descent at 7km long. There is also a great blue route for those with less experience and almost 14km of black trail.
Top campervan spot: Several lovely spots for wild campervanning just past the golf course along the minor road towards Littleferry. Or for nearby campsites, head to Dalchalm Caravan Park, Brora.
Glentress, near Peebles
This is Scotland's premier mountain biking centre and part of a series of seven mountain biking centres in the Scottish Borders known as the 7Stanes. Glentress offers a trail for every ability but for the MTB junkie this is biking heaven.
Top campervan spot: It's possible to park up overnight in the Buzzard's Nest car park at Glentress. If you're asked to move on we suggest you do, but if you're nice and quiet then it's likely you'll not be noticed. There are also a few wild camping spots along the B709, north from Innerleithen towards the Moorfoot Hills. For good campsites head to Tweedside Caravan Park, in nearby Innerleithen, or Crossburn Caravan Site in Peebles.
Nevis Range, near Fort William:
This centre is famed for hosting the annual Mountain Bike World Cup. Ride the highly challenging downhill track and some fabulous cross-country style routes.
Top campervan spot: If you're discreet you can wild camp in the upper parts of Glen Nevis. The North Face car park in Torlundy is also a good spot. Try Glen Nevis Caravan and camping site, too.
Dalbeattie, near Dumfries
Another of the7stanes centres located in the Scottish Borders, Dalbeattie has 25km of red route and some fantastic black graded sections.
Top campervan spot: There are some great spots on the minor road that links the B793 to the A710. For campsites head to Kippford Holiday Park or Sandyhills.
Glen Sligachan, Isle of Skye
Glen Sligachan cuts a glaciated route through SE Skye offering a fantastic route between the Black and Red Cuillin. At 45km it's no small undertaking and only the most experience riders should try this one.
Top campervan spot: The Sligachan Campsite is at the head of Loch Sligachan. The site offers awesome scenery, fantastic walks and a pub/hotel that is so close that it feels as though it's an integral part of the campsite.
About the Author
Fiona Russell is a press journalist of 22 years. She has held a wide range of posts on many Scottish newspapers and now works freelance. Her work now includes professional blogging, on-line writing and web copywriting. Her specialist areas are health, fitness, adventure, Scotland's great outdoors and travel. Find out more about Fiona - and her work - at FionaOutdoors.co.uk
Thanks to Big Tree Campervans for the courtesy hire of a campervan.
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