The Trossachs Heartlands Route

Happy New Year to Every One

A big Thank You to all of you who used our services in 2007.

Welcome to all, our services are tailor made for you, no matter what you choose to do in and around the Loch Lomond and Trossachs area and beyond

It is around this time of year we start to look at our walking holiday options for 2008.

We at bike and hike would like to invite you to our beautiful part of Scotland in 2008. We have put together four itineraries for walking through the Trossachs Heartland's and would like to invite you to consider them for your walking holiday 2008.

The route takes you through some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery. Visiting the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond and then on through Scotland's first National Park ' Loch Lomond and the Trossachs'.

On the way you can choose to climb some of the hills in the eastern park. Ben Lomond, Ben Venue, Ben Ann and Ben Ledi.

The route provides a framework from which the walker can plan their own route through the Trossachs on into Breadalbane and Killin or into West Perthshire and Comrie and by Glen Lednock on to Loch Tay.

Although the Route uses established ways through the hills and glens. Not all of these routes are way - marked and you will require good route finding skills to follow them.

The route takes from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Drymen and Loch Lomond on it's eastern shore to Rowerdennan by the West Highland Way. Then east through Loch Ard forest to Kinlochard and Aberfoyle. Then by Ben Venue to Trossachs pier at Loch Katrine. At which point there are 4 options. 1. Continuing through the Trossachs to Brig O Turk, Glen Finlas, Glen Buckie to Balqhidder passing Rob Roy's grave to the Kirkton Glen and on to Glen Dochart and Killin. 2. Through the Queen ELizebeth Forest park along the southern shores of Loch's Achray and Vennacher to Callander. Joining the Rob Roy way and National Route 7 to Strathyre, Kingshouse and Balquidder and then as option one by way of Kirkton Glen. 3. As for option 2 and at Callander taking the Crags Walk and the Bracklynn Road on through Glen Artney to the bridge at Ross and on into Comrie. 4. From Comrie by Glen Lednock to Loch Tay west to Killin or east to Kenmore and Aberfeldy.

Getting to Milngavie. There are regular train and bus services from Glasgow Milngavie and the southern end of the West Highland way. On your return journey home there are bus services from your choosen destination point to Pitlochry, Perth and Stirling all of which have train services.

Accommodation. There are many accommodation options on the way. From Self catering bunk houses, hostels to standard bed and breakfast and more expensive hotels.

You choose your route option/s, we provide route details, route plans, maps and the baggage transfer service. Contact us, colin@bikeandhike.co.uk or by phone 0044 (0)1877339788.

Happy New Year

More 2007 pictures

A selection of picts from this year

Returned from touring

It has been over six weeks since I last posted anything. I was away on four tours with 'Wildcat Adventures' The tours consisted on a Scottish Coast to Coast mountain bike tour, one week then a North to South, one weeks road touring and one weeks mountain biking then an other Coast to Coast and a 2 weeks road touring in the Yorkshire Dales and Scottish Borders.
Bike and hikes relationship with Wildcat has developed from providing the occasional service to helping them deliver their Scottish/UK based tours. We look forward to a long and positive relationship with Wildcat and hope to be involved in other tours in the future.
If you would like information on what Wildcat have to offer please contact them at www.wildcat-adventures.co.uk

Rob Roy Way completion

A mother and daughter party completed the RRW in three and half days today. Their first full day was Tuesday and I met them in Pitlochry today at 11 30 am. They were in very good cheer not a complaint was uttered. Well done to them both.

Rob Roy Way walkers update

This week saw 4 parties and one individual a total of 9 people completed the Way this week. They all had very mixed weather to contend with but not one withdrew. There was also 5 others who completed shorter routes through the Trossachs. Well done to all of them.

Rob Roy Way

The Keite and Christesen party of 5 from Denmark completed a 3 day experience on the RRW walking from Kilmahog to Kingshouse and on to Killin. They then traveled to Edinburgh with bike and hike for a overnight stay. There holiday was arranged through CnDo a walking holiday company based in Stirling.
Congratulations to Frances Richards and companion who completed the RRW today. The last 2 days the weather has been a lot better and they completed the walk over 5 days. This party arranged their holiday independently.

National Route 7

Mr and Mrs Keys from Yorkshire completed the Balloch to Inverness sections of the NR7 yesterday24 June. They also found the weather a bit of a challenge but enjoyed their cycling, they said the liked the section over the Drumochter Pass the best. They booked their holiday through an agency, Saddle Skedaddle, who provide world wide cycling holidays. Many thanks to them for using bike and hike services.

Slovenia - Rob Roy Way

5 Slovenians completed the RRW way today. Congratulations. They included 2 couples and a young lady the child of one of the couples. They found the route very pleasant unlike the weather. One of the couples had visited Scotland in the past and new our weather was unpredictable, so they all came prepared for the worst. They booked their holiday through an Agent, Hooked on walking. bike and hike provides baggage services for this agency on 2 other walking routes in this area in addition to the RRW. Many thanks for using bike and hike services.

Rob Roy Way

Another 4 walkers completed the RRW today. The Van der Meer party of 2 and the Benoy party of 2. Congratulations to all of you. These 2 parties, members are from the European mainland, they are very welcome to Scotland. They appear to have enjoyed their walking experience along the RRW.

Our best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to John Henderson who has recently under gone a hip replacement operation. John is the person who originally developed the RRW and runs the route's official web site.

Rob Roy Way update National Route 7

This last week has seen a total of 10 walkers complete the RRW. All of these parties booked bike and hike services through agencies, Macs Adventures, Contours, Walking support. Many thanks to these agencies for using our services. Two ladies remarked that they found the lack of way markers a disadvantage but they also enjoyed the route despite this. The last 2 to complete the route today were a father and daughter the Burton's. All of these walkers deserve a special well done given the wet and windy weather they had to put up with. The positive side is that it kept the Midge a bay.

2 National Park and a Sustrans ranger and a mixed group of 12 adults and children were transported to GlenOgle Head today. To return to Callander after completing the approximately 20 miles with a lot of input about the history and the natural history on the way. This is second year that this route has been included in the National Parks programme, it also marks the beginning of bike week. Colin.

Glen Ogle

A group of 5 people, 2 of whom were from sunny California, were transported with their bikes, 2 of which were hired locally, up to Glen Oglehead on Thursday. They set of in good weather for leisurely cycle returning to Callander. This a popular bike ride as it fallows the National Cycle Route all the way on a well made track. It is also easy to drop of the trail into Lochearnhead (shop), Balquhidder Station, Kingshouse, Rob Roys Grave, Strathyre (shop) and the Lade Inn for refreshments or just a visit on the way.
There are good number of similar or more challenging alternatives in this area contact us for more information.
bike and hike - Trossachs Transfers - 01877 339788 or bikehiketross@aol.com

More congratulation

Congratulations to the Oliver party, 8 people, who completed their walk along the RRW today. This grouped booked their walking holiday through Macs Adventures of Glasgow. bike and hike are pleased to work with Macs in providing the baggage transfers along the RRW and other routes offered as by them. Well done to you all.

Rob Roy Way completeed

Congratulations to the two ladies of the Gannon Party who completed the way today in brilliant sunshine. Despite some testing weather and navigation they are making their way back to Wick tonight.

Booking ahead

The party of RRW walkers identified below in living up to the spirit of the bike and hike name have agreed to me sharing some of their experiences regarding bookings.
From day one there appeared to be a problem with the group expecting to just arrive at the Cobleland camp site without a confirmed booking. It worked out OK with yours truly making the booking for them as I delivered their bags. One of the party had contacted the SYHA re bookings in Killin and Pitlochry however no bookings in their names where held be either hostel. This was OK at the Killin hostel and through myself again a provisional booking was made for them at the hostel. No such luck with the Pitlochry hostel with the group having to book into the Sunnybank B/B as a result.
Booking ahead is a must this group were lucky it all worked out. Some of the small communities along they way can run out of accommodation very quickly during the high season. It also helpful to let the accommodation providers no that your baggage is being delivered by bike and hike. Some times this can be very helpful to the them especially if they need to go out during the day. They can make arrangements with myself regarding the delivery of your baggage. The Scottish Youth Hostels also have a problem with access when the managers are of duty during the day normally from about 1100 am to about 1600 pm. So book ahead to avoid disappointment.

living up to the spirit of our name

Three young women and one young man have lived up to the spirit of the bike and hike name and have both biked and hiked the Rob Roy Way this week. They have also camped and stayed in self catering hostel and bunkhouse accommodation along the way.
After meeting yours truly in Drymen at the bus stop in the Square on Saturday they hiked to Cobleland camp site near Aberfoyle and stayed over a very wet night there. They then hiked again on Sunday over the Menteith hills to the Trossachs Tryst, warm and dry, near Callander. They had intended to camp at Keltie Bridge camp site but their wet experience the night before put a dampener on that plan.
One young woman and the young man biked to Killin. The other two set of by public transport as one of them was not feeling to great. The all stayed at the Youth hostel in Killin on Monday night.
Tuesday saw all of them biking along the South Loch Tay section to Culdees bunkhouse, Fearnan, North Loch Tay. Tonight they are camping again after a days hiking to Aberfeldy. Tomorrow Thursday sees them completing the way by hiking to Pitlochry and staying in SYHA hostel there. Well done to all 4 of them for completing the way and living up to the bike and hike name.

A busy month

May has been a very busy month with baggage. All the Rob Roy way walkers appear to be getting it done before the midge!

We have carried in excess of 80 bags this month a great improvement on past years.

The RRW seems to be getting more known and more popular.

Not all of the bags have been going up the RRW a number of the agencies we work with have other routes in and around the area. These are also becoming more popular. June is also looking like it is also going to busy month for baggage transfers. The picture above is a winter scene but shows of the area fairly dramatically don't you think.

Cateran Trail

The party of women who were undertaking this walk completed it on Monday. Unfortunately one of them hurt her ankle and had to pull out with just 6 miles to go.
The comments on the trail were all very positive and they were all very pleased to have had the experience of walking through Rural Perthshire and Angus.
The trail is a tadpole shape Starting in Blairgowrie on to Bridge of Balgy, Kirkmicheal, the Spittal of Glenshee, Glenisla, Alyth and return to Blairgowrie.
These girls have now walked a number of the longer distance trails in Scotland and are looking for a different sort of challenge and requested a bike and hike route to be planned for them next year. Well done girls.

Update on proposed Summer On Yer Bike Programme

Received some really sad news from Glasgow City Council re the summer On Yer Bike programme. It looks as though the plug is about to be pulled, discussions continue regarding budgets and the like within the Culture and Leisure, Outdoor service. It looks like the programme posted in the earlier posting will be cancelled. I'm not sure of all the details but understand those who have made bookings and have made use of the trips and cycle training sessions in the past will be contacted in writing in the near future regarding the councils plans.
It is sad that this unique programme is about to cancelled. There is some hope that some of the councils cycling input may be delivered in other ways in the future.

And into May

Yes we are into May, the month that most people start getting out, either on foot or on their bike's. Some see May as the best month as the weather is mainly settled and the midge has still to show. Yet as the weather at present, cool and damp, shows it can also be a wee bit unpredictable. There are about 15 people at differing stages of the Rob Roy Way who have had their fare share of the recent good and the this less desirable weather at present, lets hope it improves and they complete the way in fine weather.
This present weather emphasises the need to be prepared for changeable weather when out and about throughout Scotland.
bike and hike are pleased to have provided a helping hand at Maggies monster bike and hike on Saturday the 5th.
A large group of people , about 400 +, took part in this charitable challenge. Cycling and walking along the Great Glen, 30miles on bikes and about 44 on foot, The participants set of from Neptune's Staircase on the Caledonian canal just north of Fort William and biked to Fort Augustus the then continued along the Great Glen Way to Inverness on foot. The logistics of providing 2 thirds of the participants with hired bikes is for the first part of the challenge are mind blowing but again the team from Wheels, The Scottish Cycling Centre met their part of this challenging event. With very few mechanical's being reported.
Maggies is a charitable organisation who provide residential support to people suffering from cancer and their families.
If you intend to get out and about in May be sure to be prepared and then you can enjoy what the great Scottish outdoors has to offer.

Proposed Programme On Yer Bike day trips summer 2007

Hi Folks here is the provisional On Yer Bike day trip programme for summer 2007.

SUNDAY 03 JUNE 2007

Argyll – Holy Loch/Loch Eck 21mls skill level intermediate, overall difficult to challenging

SUNDAY 24 JUNE 2007

Glentress – The Borders Overall difficult to challenging
Dedicated Skills Day

Fri, Sat. Sun. 13,14, 15th July.Depart 4pm Fri Return. 8pm Sun.
SYHA Cairngorm Lodge, Cairngorm Rothiemurchus,Glenfeshie Area. Mixed, skill level intermediate to difficult overall difficult to challenging total distance aprox 40mls over two days

Sunday 22 July 2007

Glen Tilt Perthshire 15mls skill level intermediate, overall moderate/difficult

Sunday 12 august 2007

Aberfoyle - Braeval Loop 15mls, Sill level easier to moderate, Overall difficult

Sunday 26 August 2007

Tweed Valley Area - Cardona Forest Trails 12mls skill level easier to intermediate overall moderate

Sunday 16 September 2007

Aberfoyle Area
Queen Elizabeth Forest Park Loch Ard, 12mls Skill level easier, overall easy

Sunday 07 October 2007

Carron Valley Area Skills development day, skills level intermediate to difficult overall moderate to difficult

Sunday 28 October 2007

Mugdock Country Park 13mls Milngavie to park and surroundings skill level easier, overall easier to moderate.

Cost: £20 for day trips
Bookings should be made through Jane Damers Office at Glasgow Culture and Leisure.

Sunday's On Yer Bike Trip

The trip to Mugdock Park. We started of from Milngavie Railway Station car park and cycled skirting the town centre making our way to Mugdock by road to the hole in the wall car park. Here we left the road and used some of the paths through the park, joining the West Highland Way for a short distance and then climbing up over some challenging ground to the estate road at Mugdock castle. Then of around the loch to the visitor centre for a well earned break and some refreshments. Our route then took us out through the main car park and onto a quiet country road for a short distance. Then of road on to a local path which eventually gave some startling views of Blanefield and Strathblane. It also provided us some long gradual down hill sections which tested people skills and bottle. Some basic tuition on picking lines and looking a head as well as how to hold a safe downhill line by moving body weight around and feathered braking. Then on around the park boundary on country roads through Mugdock village and back to the hole in the wall. We took the same path as we used earlier but turned of following the signs for Milngavie. This took over some recently surfaced paths and eventually with some more downhill sections on to the West Highland Way path again . Using the very scenic route to return into the town. Whilst some parts of the route provided the group with some riding challenges overall the feedback was a good day although some thought that the route was at the moderately challenging end of the easier grading.

On Yer Bike trip to Mugdoch Country Park Sun 22 April

This months On Yer Bike trip is to Mugdock country park Milngavie. This trip is graded as easy and the skill level is also easier. Meeting at Bellahouston bike container 9.00 a.m. return for around 16.30p.m. If you have your own bike try to bring it to use on the day.

Rob Roy Way

This walk appears to growing poularity this year with the number of bookings for baggage and passenger transfers increasing almost daily.

This week we had one customer who started on the 2nd having to return home to Ireland as his aunt died suddenly. Our thoughts are with him and we look forward to him returning to complete the RRW some time in the future.

Ben Ann by Loch Achray, Trossachs

A party of 2 who started the way on the 3rd. Planning to have five stops, Drymen, Aberfoyle, Callander, Strathyre, Killin 2 nights and Pitlochry.

We also have another party of 2 starting on Wednesday 4th with 6 stops planned. This group have arranged to stay at Acharn on south Loch Tay in addition to Aberfeldy which differs slightly from the above couples overnights.

On Yer Bike Melrose Weekend 22 to 24 March 2007

The weekend got of to bad start with yours truly taking a wrong turning and getting lost in and around Glasgow. But Willie came to the rescue and we eventually got out of the city and on our way.

On Saturday we set of for a tour of the local sights, visiting/passing Melrose Abbey, Scott's View, what a climb, Wallace's Statue, Dryburgh Abbey, crossing the Tweed and into Newton St Boswells and then on to very picturesque village of Bowden.

The route on Saturday was mainly quiet unclassified roads with a couple of expeditions on to rougher ground using parts of the St Cuthberts Way in particular. The group split just after Bowden with some heading over a more direct route, but equally as challenging, to Melrose.

4 of us took of over towards Selkirk by a cross country route. fallowing farm tracks and my vague memories of walking in the area in the past. The route was still there but a few changes had been made by farmers making it a little more difficult to find. But we got there and again making use of country roads dropped down into the Tweed valley and linking in with the Tweed cycle way, passed through the outskirts of Gallashiels and along the river to return to Melrose. A super day.

We had two punctures on route and a few chains playing up but no major mechanical or other types of misshapes. The feedback was that it was a challenging day for every one, The downhills into the Tweed Valley at Melrose and nearer Selkirk were described as bottle testing and very fast. Sunday brought us to a skills development session at Glentress. A little slower pace at first with coffee at the Hub and then on to the upper car park and the skills course. Very much a come and try session with every one choosing to have a go at the various obstacles. Then a few circuits of the outer circuit to put these new found skills to the test. Then of down hill to the Hub for a lunch stop. Some took on to the lower part of the Blue route and rest of took the forest road down.

All in all a very good weekend was had by all with gods being kind to us and rewarding with fine weather. A less challenging drive back to Glasgow and every one of home well contented.

Baggage Transfers on the Rob Roy Way and other routes, season 2007

The new season of walkers on the Rob Roy Way started earlier this year. There has been a group of 11 women walking the way this week. They have had very varied weather to contend with but it has not dampened their spirits to much. Most of them appear to be enjoying the experience. Unfortunately one has developed a tummy problem and has had to pull out.
Today they walked from Ardtalnaig on South Loch Tay to Kenmore. Tomorrow they will join the way again and complete a short day on to Aberfeldy.
This party booked the baggage and passenger transfers that bike and hike are providing through Absolute Escapes a booking agency for long distance walking holidays based in Edinburgh. bike and hike are privileged to provide these services through this agent and other agents for RRW walkers.
Macs Adventure another agent has developed a new Perthishire Highland route and bike and hike will be providing the baggage transfer services on this route for the first time later in the season.
bike and hike will also be providing baggage transfers for a group from Glasgow on the Catteran trail in Perthshire for the first time this season.
We at bike and hike are looking forward to busy season providing baggage transfer services on these and other routes, through booking /holiday agencies and to individuals and groups who book with us direct.

On Yer Bike Weekend trip to Melrose

This weekend sees the second On Yer Bike weekend trip and it's to Melrose in the Scottish Borders. The first was to Aviemore and the Cairngorms, hopefully to repeated this year.
The trip programme is, leaving Bellahouston late Friday 23rd afternoon/early evening. Staying at the SYHA Melrose, self catering, Friday and Saturday Nights. Returning to Bellahouston early evening On Sunday25th. Melrose has ample eateries and hostelries to satisfy our needs I'm sure.
The outing on Saturday will consist of an easier route approx 20 miles and a moderate route approx 28 miles. Both will be in the Melrose, Dryburgh area Crossing the River Tweed a few times,visiting Scott's View, the Wallace statue and the Abbey at Dryburgh. The easier route will cut of from the moderate route and return Melrose using a shorter route. The moderate route will continue on in a larger circle west then taking in a longer return route to Melrose. More details on the day. The routes will use mainly unclassified roads, bits of the Tweed cycle way and other tracks. There is no single track mountain biking on these routes.
Sunday will be at Glentress, one of the 7 stanes routes. This is a well developed mountain biking area, offering a selection of tracks from easier to very difficult routes. We will be offering to take less experienced riders on the easier routes and the skills development courses that are available. The more experienced riders can elect to do routes of their choice, with the proviso that they do not go alone and that they do at their own risk. There will be no leader on these more difficult routes as it will be difficult to provide enough as there will only be 2 leaders on the weekend. On last contact with the Outdoor team at GCC leisure the weekend was fully booked.See you there if you are one of the lucky ones.

Bad weather warning results in cancellation 18th March

GCC On Yer Bike trip. As the weather forecast for this weekend is for severe weather, high winds, low temps and snow on Sunday. The planned Sunday 18th trip to do the Braeval loop variation is cancelled.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused to those of you who planned to attend. Colin

Braeval Loop

Just a wee reminder that the Glasgow CC On Yer Bike trip 18th March from Bellahouston to Aberfoyle and Braeval is going ahead. Meet at bella for 9.00 a.m. The trip will be a variation of this loop depending on the group make and ability on the day. Weather forecast is poor so dress well. Colin

Great day. Great trip

The trip on Sunday the 18th feb was a great day out with some very bright but cold weather.
The day did not start well as the mini bus with the tow bar had been taken by another person who shall remain nameless. Cheers. Any how we got it sorted and as result headed of to Paisley Canal St to start the trip,we took the NCR 75 to Johnston and then on the Irvine route to Lochwinnock, Castle Semple Loch. Although the route was fairly flat some people were paying for a winter break from cycling. With a few grumbles we arrived at the castle Semple visitor centre with welcome comfort facilities, hot drinks and snacks . The weather held all day and the return journey was just as good. OOR Wullie took some photo's which we will post when he sends them on.
The next planned On Yer Bike trip is to Aberfoyle and a Breaval loop variation, Sunday 18th March . Graded Moderate, Skill level Easy to Moderate, aprox 24 miles.

On Yer Bike Trip Sunday 18 February

The GCC On Yer Bike trip arranged for Sunday 18 February, Glasgow Lochwinnoch aprox 14 miles, is going ahead.
Meet at Bellahouston LC at the bike container 9.00a.m.
This is graded as an easy trip as it follows cycle track all the way.

Sunday 28th On Yer Bike trip cancelled

Due to 2 cancellations the bike trip arranged for this Sunday 28th has been cancelled. These trips have a minimum number allowed and unfortunately when the numbers drop below 6 participants they can not go ahead. We hope those who cancelled get well soon and we look forward to the next planned trip on Sunday 18th February. A trip along the cycle way, Glasgow to Lochwinnoch. Graded as easy,Skill level also easy.

Looking forward to a good year for biking

This a picture of the 2006 On Yer Bike trip to the Cairngorms.
The weekend turned out to be very good with good weather and enjoyable rides through the Abernethy and Rothiemurchus forests.
Hopefully it will be repeated again this summer.

The 2007 programme of trips starts this weekend (Sunday 28th Jan) with a trip from Balloch over the hills to the Hellensburgh area.
A moderate ride with some challenging parts.
The details of the winter and early spring programme is contained in the Glasgow City Councils walking programme booklet. You can get a copy from your local leisure centre in Glasgow. These trips must be booked ahead and we meet at Bellahouston LC for a 9.00a.m. start. Otherwise the contact details are, Physical and Outdoor Team, Cultural and Leisure services Glasgow City Council 20 Trongate Glasgow G1 5ES 0141 287 3675 e-mail jane.damer@cls.glasgow.gov.uk
You can also book the services of a leader through bike and hike. If you or a group you are a member of want to get on a bike and out into Glasgow, Stirling and there surrounding areas or into the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park contact us. bike and hike services 25 Ledi Court Callander FK17 8EX. 01877 339788 e-mail colin@bikeandhike.co.uk