Frequently Asked Questions

We use E-Bikes from the Dutch A-Brand Gazelle for all our tours (see images below of both the low and high step versions) - Ever since 2021/2 we have used these Gazelle electric bikes on all our tours, and when compared to the bikes used by the majority, if not all other tour operators across the UK, these really are top quality bikes when out touring on roads!

Highland Bike Tours use Hybrid E-Bikes with a classic Dutch design, that are both stylish and comfortable, and have been manufactured to provide distance and reliability that only the best Dutch bikes are known for throughout the cycling world.

Nothing rides like a Gazelle bike! - You can find out more about these quality high-end Gazelle E-Bikes, or their other bicycles, by visiting their website at;

https://www.gazellebikes.com/e...

PERTHSHIRE (PERTH & PITLOCHRY)

Perth, the city that was Scotland's capital for five centuries, is situated on the banks of the River Tay, near Scone Palace - the ancient crowning place of Scottish kings on the Stone of Scone, and breathes history like nowhere else in Scotland!

Since the 2023 season, we can also offer tours that start and finish from a new hub in Pitlochry. Please contact us for availability.

Perth is located in the heart of the country. Its central location provides easy access to the city and the region, and Perth's old Victorian train station offers direct links to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Stirling and Inverness.

By car (if you must), Edinburgh is less than an hour, while Glasgow Airport is about an hour and a half drive away. The good news is that there is a frequent intercity electric bus service between Edinburgh (Airport) and Perthshire, which is operated by Ember.

Pitlochry is just North of Perth, and has a railway station on the mainline route between Perth and Inverness.

There is also a direct sleeper train from London which stops at both Perth and Pitlochry.

Of course there are plenty of hills, but with an E-bike this is not a problem. In fact, by using an E-Bike you still have to pedal, but you have time to look around while cycling, even have a chat with your friends, and actually enjoy the experience!

This is the UK, so there are not many cycle paths outside the cities, but the roads here in Perthshire are also much quieter.

HBT have selected the best routes on roads that have very little traffic. In fact, on some parts of your tour you will hardly see other road users.

All tours either start and finish from our hub in Perth City Centre at 10am, or from our new hub in Pitlochry (from summer 2023 onwards) at 11am.

A day tour is usually from 10am to approximately 5pm (this includes a stop for a lunch break or whisky distillery tour)

A half day tour is between 3 and 4 hours, and depending on other bookings can be scheduled as desired - Here in Perthshire during the summer months there is daylight for about 18 hours per day!

The Highland Perthshire Tour is usually around 5 hours. This departs from Perth at 10am, and any Pitlochry start/departure is at 11am.

All our bike tours are on a loop, so we never cycle along same stretch of road twice!

During 2022 we offered the 'E-Bike Taster Experience' where up to 4 people can take part in a shorter 2 hour tour around the Perthshire countryside. Please email us for more info on 2025 departure dates/times.

It’s not a race, so dress for comfort and enjoy the ride!

Casual clothing is fine (so no need for lycra or sportswear when using our Dutch style hybrid E-Bikes).. If in doubt, go online and see how people over in NL, Belgium and other countries cycle around to the shops, schools or to work on a daily basis.

Our E-Bikes are based on the traditional Dutch design, so they even have an enclosed chain guard, and include panniers. It really doesn't get any comfier or easier!

We would require you to wear a “Hi-Vis” (Reflective Vest) on public roads. You will be given one on loan at the start of the tour.

In addition, there is no helmet requirement in the UK, but there are bicycle helmets at the shop/hub which you are free to use.

Each bicycle also has a double pannier bag containing a rain poncho and plenty of space for your personal items.

TIP: Bring plenty of fluids or water, as once we leave Perth there are very few shops! The panniers on your bike are perfect to store any bottles, etc.

On the West Coast of Scotland it has about three times as much rainfall as the annual average in the Benelux region. But here in Perthshire we're not on that West Coast! In fact, here in Perth it rains annually much less than in other parts of Scotland.

Let me put it this way; Over the past 6 to 7 years (since 2019) I've been on my bike almost every day in and around Perth and Perthshire, and have  only used that rain poncho twice! -  It's really not that bad up here during the summer months.

Our tours are for small groups, so a maximum of 4 people per tour (the local guide who will accompany you, speaks both English and Dutch).

On Private Tours from 1 person to a maximum of 3 people per tour.

Unfortunately, this is not possible. In addition, the infrastructure here in the UK is not ideal (sadly very poor road surfaces compared to rest of Europe). Our bicycles are therefore carefully selected for use on the roads, and meet all your requirements (including comfort!). The guide is also familiar with the E-bikes, so if there are any unforeseen issues, he can quickly fix them.

Our e-bikes are also designed for road use, so our tours are never off-road, on gravel paths, or across any mountain trails.

Highland Bike Tours offer guided E-Bike Tours around Highland Perthshire. All guests are provided with one of our Dutch style E-Bikes for their tour. We do not rent out any bikes, e-bikes or other bicycle equipment on an individual basis.

All photos on HBT's Instagram (link is at the bottom of this page) were taken during our bike tours, so not just beautiful scenery. Perthshire has a rich history, culture, and here in the UK is nicknamed 'Big Tree Country' (info and link; https://www.pkct.org/Pages/Cat...

And just for context, on the west coast of Scotland a lot of the mountains (munros) and landscape can be pretty barren.. but here in Highland Perthshire there is an abundance of forests as part of the scenery.

Sometimes it's so quiet outside the cities and urban areas that you don't see any other traffic... so instead, you get to admire deer, red squirrels, foxes, badgers, birds of prey including eagles or goshawks, and of course we have 'the famous grouse' here that gave its name to a blended whisky from Perthshire, and then in Perth itself; beavers have also been active in the River Tay and nearby River Almond for a few years now!

For history, there are castles or ruins everywhere we cycle (from Mary Queen of Scots to Macbeth.. just outside Perth is Scone Palace, and then there's Balhousie Castle in the centre of Perth which is the museum for The Black Watch regiment).. Perth has an intriguing royal history.

If the weather is expected to be particularly bad we will either not schedule a tour for that day or cancel as soon as possible in advance * -  The tour will then be given on another day if possible. Whether a tour will take place is decided by the tour guide.

* So far (May 2025) no tour has ever been cancelled by HBT due to weather conditions (here in Highland Perthshire it's usually good cycling weather!)

See also Q&A; How often does it rain in Scotland?

Yes, this is possible, for 1 person up to a maximum of 3 people. You can plan the tour of your choice as you wish, which also includes the departure time.

An adjusted rate applies and this is then the total fee for the entire group.

Please contact us via the website or by email for more info, or to confirm dates. This to ensure nobody else can book a tour on that day, as we operate on a first-come first-served basis with all our bookings.

On a day tour the distance can be anything between 70 and 110 km, along with a lunch break, but this often depends on those taking part. It is not a race, so the distance covered is therefore determined by those taking part on that day.

On a half day tour it is usually between 40 and 55 km, but on occasions we have run a half day tour that has covered a distance of 64 km on certain loops.

Here at HBT all our tours are on 'loops', so that we never cycle along the same stretch of road twice. In Highland Perthshire we have plenty of quiet roads with very little traffic. There are of course plenty of hills, but this is why you are supplied with one of our e-bikes, so you can actually enjoy the scenery while cycling around this part of Scotland.

Of course you’re coming to Scotland for an unforgettable time, and to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The guide is there to safely guide you on the Scottish roads. And while these tours are for an exclusive small group of people (maximum of 4 plus guide), there will be occasions where people who have never met before will cycle together on the same tour, so the 'motto' on all our tours is 'please don't treat another person in a way you wouldn't want to be treated yourself'.

Also because we have to cycle on a public road, there are of course other road users. As a result, we are required by law to disclose some conditions to you. Please read all terms and conditions