Ayr to dunbar, scotland
EUROPE
sep 2025

Scotland Coast to Coast

[ OVERVIEW ]

The Scotland Coast to Coast cycling tour starts in Ayr, on the west coast just south of Glasgow, and finishes in Dunbar on the east coast, taking in some incredibly beautiful countryside in between.

We head through the Galloway Forest Park and travel across the Southern Uplands, soaking up all the sights and sounds and Scottish culture on offer. At Zero Carbon Adventures we really value connecting with the land and people of the places we travel through, so we've connected with local storytellers, whiskey distillers, and Jacobite enthusiasts that capture the essence of this region.

This trip really does have it all so if you're up for a big adventure exploring a beautiful corner of the UK then the Scotland Coast to Coast is the one for you!

Tour details

Trip Duration

5 days 6 nights

21st - 27th June 2027

28th - 3rd July 2027

16th - 22nd August 2027 (Wild edition)

23rd - 29th August 2027

Next Dates

Carbon

205kg CO2e

£1145 (£250 single person supplement)

£895 Wild edition (camping)

Pricing

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Contact Us
Three people riding bicycles on a paved trail through a natural, green landscape during overcast weather. The woman in front is smiling and wearing a purple shirt and helmet, with two men following behind, also smiling and wearing helmets.
Group of cyclists and friends sitting outside a coffee shop, engaging in conversation, with bicycles parked nearby and colorful chairs. There is a sign indicating the shop offers coffee, tea, cake, and flowers.
A man riding a mountain bike on a gravel trail surrounded by trees and hills, wearing a red helmet and orange outdoor gear. 
[ HIGHLIGHTS ]

From local whiskey tasting, to the oldest inhabited house, to the stunning Scottish landscapes, this is cycling in Scotland at its best.

What’s included

Expertly guided route with luggage transfer and electric support van

3* hotel accommodation each night with breakfast

Tour of the Moffat independent distillery and Whisky tasting experience

Guided walking tour around the oldest inhabited house in Scotland, Traquair House

Tour overview

  • 5 days | 6 nights

  • Intermediate level

  • 200 miles

  • Electric van supported

  • 3* Hotel accommodation

Sightseeing & Culture

Our tours are not all about the cycling. We believe in taking the time to truly connect with the places we travel through, so each day is centred around a theme which encapsulates that particular area.

Day 1 - Mountains

Day 2 - Wildlife

Day 3 - Sustainability

Day 4 - History

Day 5 - Racing

Accommodation

  • Night 1 - The Chestnuts hotel, Ayr double or single rooms

  • Night 2 - The Dark Sky Retreat, cottages, yurts or log cabins available

  • Night 3 - The Clachan Inn, double of single rooms available

  • Night 4 - The Buccleuch Arms Hotel, single or double rooms

  • Night 5 - The Traquair Arms Hotel, single or double rooms available

  • Night 6 - The Dolphin Inn, single or double rooms

Close-up of a bicycle handlebar with a red ladybug sticker, placed on grass. In the blurred background, two people are standing outdoors near a body of water, with hills in the distance.
A young brown goat with floppy ears looking through blue wooden slats.

Tour Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrival in Ayr and pre tour brief

Check in at the Chestnuts Hotel after 3:00 PM. You then have the option to take a stroll down to the beach or visit the Robbie Burns museum to learn about Scotland’s most famous poet.

We will then meet for a pre tour brief at 6:30 and dinner at 7pm.

  • Chestnuts Hotel Ayr, double or single rooms

A man with dark curly hair and a mustache smiling outdoors, wearing a gray jacket and black gloves, standing in front of greenery and a house with a sloped roof.

Day 2: Ayr to Glentrool

Depart Ayr with stunning views of the Isle of Arran in the background as we leave the west coast over undulating hills to the historic market town of Kirkmichael, where we stop for our lunch. Continue along a dedicated cycle path into the 774-square-kilometer Galloway Forest Park, passing the Merrick—Southern Scotland's highest peak. After cresting Haggis Hill, descend to the riverside Dark Sky retreat. After dinner you can relax in the hot tub or sauna, and finish the day stargazing in the remote Dark Sky Park, where the Milky Way and over 7,000 stars are visible to the naked eye.

  • Ayr is one of the best places to view the impressive topography of the west coast of Scotland. With the Isle of Arran just off its coast and the Galloway Forest park to its south its a perfect example of Scotland’s varied landscape and geology. We cycle along side the range of the awful hand - five peaks named so because of their resemblance to five fingers of a hand, the the most prominent being Merrick, the highest mountain in southern Scotland, standing at 843 metres.

  • The Dark Sky Retreat, cottages, yurts or log cabins available

Nighttime view of a wooden balcony with a bicycle decorated with string lights, overlooking a starry sky.

Day 3: Glentrool to St John’s Town of Dalry

After a hearty, farm-fresh breakfast and our daily briefing, we will head out on National Cycle Route 7. The route follows gravel woodland paths past Bruce’s Stone, Loch Dee, before joining the Southern Uplands Way. We will stop for a ‘picnic under the pines’ at the famous Otter Pools, keeping quiet on our bikes to spot the elusive residents. Finally, we will exit the Forest Park and ride to our overnight accommodation at the beautiful Clachan Inn.

  • The Galloway Forest Park is a place scarcely populated by humans and that means nature is fully in charge! We cycle through the heart of the region, exploring its extensive network of fire roads and gravel paths. So keep your eyes peeled for Ospreys, Red Squirrels and Otters! They may be as shocked as you are to see them!

  • The Clachan Inn, double of single rooms available

A close-up of a young elk standing in a grassy field with hills and cloudy sky in the background.

Day 4: St John’s Town of Dalry to Moffat

We start the day passing through beautiful villages like Moniaive and Dalswinston, stopping for coffee and to taste its local treats like Scottish Tablet. The afternoon features a scenic ride through the Forest of Ae, home to one of Scotland’s largest off shore wind farm and extensive forest trails to explore. We will finish the day by descending into Moffat to have lunch and then a tasting tour at the Moffat Distillery, the world's only wood-fired distillery.

  • The forest of Ae is another remote area with endless gravel tracks increbile views over the Southern uplands. It is also home to Harestanes wind farm, one of the largest renewable energy projects in Scotland which powers over 88,000 homes. Moffat at the distillery to learn about how they make their famous wood-fired whisky and take time to do some tasting too!

  • The Buccleuch Arms Hotel, single or double rooms

Four glasses of varying liquids on a countertop, with a woman in the background observing them, blurred and out of focus.

Day 5: Moffat to Innerleithen

Departing the Buccleuch Arms Hotel, we will cycle through the dramatic Moffat Water Valley, one of the most stunning roads in the UK. Stopping at the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall and the Glen Cafe for coffee. We will then visit Traquair House for a guided tour of its grounds and Jacobite history before a short, final ride to Innerleithen to conclude the day.

  • The Borders is an area with more fortifications than any other part of the UK. It is often where English and Scottish armies met over the centuries and we cycle past Grey Mare’s Waterfall, said to have provided refuge for religious rebels following the reformation in 1535. We will also stop at Traquiar House, the oldest inhabited house in Scotland and learn about its links to the Jacobites!

  • The Traquair Arms Hotel, single or double rooms available

A man and woman wearing cycling helmets and gear, standing with their bicycles in a rural area with green rolling hills and trees in the background.

Day 6: Innerleithen to Dunbar

Our final day begins with a climb over Peatrig Hill for our first glimpses of Edinburgh and the East Coast. We will then enjoy a long descent onto a dedicated cycleway, stopping for a short break in the picturesque foothills villages of East and West Saltoun. The coast-to-coast journey officially concludes on the cliffs of Dunbar, where you can take a refreshing dip in the North Sea or simply relax. We will celebrate with a final group meal in the evening before saying our goodbyes the following morning.

  • Our final day follows some world famous cycle routes. Soon to be hosts of the Tour de France in 2027, we cycle the exact route as the pros , through the stunning Tweed Valley and stopping to gaze over Edinburgh. Then we follow Sustrans route 196 through more beautiful countryside and towns, all the way to Dunbar where we finish our journey!

  • The Dolphin Inn, single or double rooms

A beach with sandy shores, a small stream, green grass and houses in the background, and the ocean with a clear sky above. 
[ the journey ]

Expect adventure, friendly pacing and Scottish hospitality

Timings

We will have a route briefing in Ayr the night before the ride where will share specific timings/ locations for the following day.

How to get to the start

By train

The closest stations to the start and end point are Ayr (east coast) and Dunbar (west coast) both have direct train links to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Be sure to book your bike on the trains when you buy your ticket.

By car

There is 24-hour parking available at Prestwick Town station. You will need to download the JustPark App

If you have left your car at the start point, then you can catch a train to Edinburgh and change for trains to Glasgow and then Prestwick Town. It takes around 2 hours.

By plane

Glasgow Prestwick airport is closest option. You will need to get a taxi or a train to Ayr.

Alternatively, Glasgow and Edinburgh have airports, but you will need to factor in around 1-2 hours travel by train to Ayr.

What our customers say

“I really enjoyed the cycle with Zero Carbon adventure. It was a truly memorable trip. The ride was well supported and at the correct pace in order for me to enjoy the lovely countryside. Felt a great sense of achievement when we arrived in Dunbar. Thanks to Conor and his team”

bernadette bennett

“What a fantastic trip through the best cycling roads that Scotland can offer. Very quiet scenic roads with very little traffic combined with interesting visits to a small local distillery and community marshland which were very informative. The cycling was challenging enough but with plenty of time and opportunities to rest and recover to be accessible for most cyclists. Overall, a great experience and also enjoyed the company of the guides and fellow guests.”

steven murray

“We wanted a holiday that was as low carbon as possible. But we didn’t expect to discover that there is this whole wonderful wilderness here, with miles and miles of gravel tracks where we weren’t seeing anyone for that length of time. But its actually really accessible, only taking us a few hours to come up on the train. And we loved meeting the communities and hearing the music along the way too! So it has certainly inspired us to explore this area more.”

Ian o'donnell
[ FAQ ]

Common Questions

  • We suggest using a hybrid or gravel bike for this tour. At times we travel off-road on gravel paths so your bike will need to be able to handle those routes.

  • We advise having a good level of fitness for this tour as we will be traveling around 30-40 miles per day and on some days climbing a total of 1000 metres.

    However, our tours are not a race, we prioritise the experience of the journey and check in regularly to see how the group is doing.

  • Yes, but the wonderful thing about Scotland is that most of the hills are fairly gradual, often not exceeding 8-10% gradient. We take our time and slowly climb the highest mountains while soaking up the views.

  • You will need to bring your own camping gear, along with a good waterproof/ windproof jacket for cycling plus a change of clothes for the evenings.

    It is also useful to have a head torch for camping along with a beanie to keep your head warm.

  • Sleep under the stars in some of the most spectacular camp spots in the Scotland!

  • Carry as much as you want on your bike and put the rest in our electric van support vehicle which accompanies us on the route.

⤷ Full Calendar

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