Scottland: Tallship Flying Dutchman

You can travel individually by plane to Edinburgh or Glasgow. From there you can get to Oban by public transport, such as bus or train. Alternatively, you can use our island hopping transfer, which departs from Edinburgh city centre at 17:30 and Edinburgh Airport at 18:00. From 6pm your cabins will be ready on board the Flying Dutchman. If you arrive earlier, you can safely stow your luggage until check-in is possible. You will have the opportunity to get to know the crew and your tour guides over dinner later in the evening.

After breakfast, you fine-tune your bikes and then set off on your first cycle tour. This takes you southwards out of Oban, through the gently rolling countryside, past a small highland lake and back to the coast. You cycle across a remote peninsula until you reach the ferry that takes you to the island of Luing. This island is one of the so-called slate islands, where the extraction of the shimmering grey rock once played an important role. An interesting detail: parts of the University of Edinburgh were built using slate from this island. The Flying Dutchman awaits you in Toberonochy to take you to Crinan.

Today's circular tour begins in Crinan and takes you to the fascinating archaeological site of Kilmartin. Stone circles reminiscent of Stonehenge await you there, as well as prehistoric burial mounds that characterise the extensive site. After exploring the site and a relaxing lunch break in the charming museum café, you cycle back to Crinan. The tour then continues by boat past the Kintyre Peninsula, made famous by the Paul McCartney song ‘Mull of Kintyre’, to the Isle of Jura.

After breakfast, cycle northwards on the island of Jura, which George Orwell once described as the ‘most inaccessible place on earth’ when he spent the last three years of his life here. Enjoy the unspoilt tranquillity of this island, which is only occasionally interrupted by one of the 5000 or so deer that inhabit Jura. The route leads past the striking Paps of Jura to a small jetty where the Flying Dutchman awaits you for the crossing to the island of Mull. On the way there, you will pass the Corryvreckan whirlpool, one of the largest natural whirlpools in the world - but don't worry, your experienced crew will take you safely to a quiet bay on the island of Mull.

Today's cycle tour is all about the impressive nature of Scotland. It leads through gently undulating terrain and along the picturesque coast, with a new breathtaking view awaiting you around every bend. You share the route almost exclusively with sheep and the cosy, shaggy Highland cattle grazing on the bright green meadows. You cycle along a varied coastal road past Loch Na'Keal to Salen. Spend the night at the tranquil Salen Pier and, with a bit of luck, experience a marvellous sunset.

Today you can expect some challenging metres in altitude as you explore the northern part of the island of Mull by bike. As a reward, a cosy tearoom invites you to take a well-deserved break before the bright white beach of Calgary Bay with its crystal-clear water tempts you to linger. The return journey takes you through hilly terrain with some steeper climbs until you reach the island's main town, Tobermory. In this charming town with its colourful house facades, you should definitely visit a traditional Scottish pub. Try the national dish of fish ‘n’ chips or the famous haggis!

Today's cycle tour takes you out of Tobermory one last time to the impressive Glengorm Castle, which is situated in an exposed position in the north of the island of Mull. The 19th century manor house is an imposing sight and you can fortify yourself for the return journey to Tobermory in the cosy tearoom. Then it's ‘cast off’ and the Flying Dutchman takes you through the Sound of Mull back to Oban. Before dinner is served, you will have time to explore Oban. A particular highlight is McCaig's Tower, an unfinished replica of the Roman Colosseum, which is definitely worth a visit.

After breakfast, your cycle & boat tour in Scotland ends with disembarkation. We will be happy to book a shared transfer to Edinburgh Airport for you.

Timetable and programme changes:

A Sail & Bike Tour always involves a bit of adventure: on this trip, only the embarkation and disembarkation harbours of Enkhuizen are 100% fixed in advance. The route to be travelled depends primarily on the weather and the tides and is determined from day to day. The route and the order of the individual stages are therefore always subject to change. The skipper and his crew discuss the possibilities with the guests on a daily basis and will do everything possible to offer you a varied mix of culture and nature. Let us surprise you!

SGR Guaranteefund:

For this trip, there is a fee of 5.00 euros per traveller for the SGR guarantee fund. This fee is mandatory for this trip and will be shown separately on the invoice.