Frequently Asked Questions
We use E-Bikes from the Dutch A-Brand Gazelle and Sparta for all our tours. They are top quality bikes!
Highland Bike Tours will be using E-Bikes with a classic Dutch design, that are both stylish and comfortable, and have been manufactured to provide durability, distance, and reliability that only the best Dutch bikes are known for throughout the cycling world.
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!
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 and Inverness. There is also a direct sleeper train from London. By car, Edinburgh is less than an hour, while Glasgow airport is about an hour and a half away.
Of course there are plenty of hills, but with an E-bike this is not a problem. There are not many cycle paths outside the cities, but the roads are also much quieter. You should also keep in mind that a full day tour means 5 to 6 hours on the saddle, but on an E-bike this is not a problem for most people.
A full day tour is usually from 10am to approximately 4 - 5pm (this includes a stop for a lunch break or whisky distillery tour)
A half day tour can be scheduled as desired (from 10am to about 2pm, or during the summer months even from 6pm to 10pm is possible) - Here in Perthshire during the summer months there is daylight for about 18 hours per day in July/August!
All tours start and finish from our hub in Perth City Centre.
During 2022 we will also be offering the 'E-Bike Taster Experience' where up to 4 people can take part in a shorter tour around the Perthshire countryside. Please email us for more info on departure times.
It’s not a race, so dress for comfort and enjoy the ride!
If in doubt, go online and see how people over in NL, Belgium or any other Western European country 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. It really doesn't get any 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 has a bag containing a rain poncho and space for personal items.
On the West Coast it is about three times as much as the annual average falls in the Netherlands. But here in Perth we're not on that West Coast! Let me put it this way; Over the last 3+ years (since 2019) I've been on my bike almost every day in and around the county of Perthshire, and have only used that rain poncho twice! - It's really not that bad during the summer months.
Maximum 4 people (the local guide who will accompany you, speaks both English and Dutch).
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 and meet all requirements (including comfort!). The guide is also familiar with the E-bikes, so if there are any unforeseen issues, he can quickly fix them
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/Category/perthshire-big-tree-country)
Sometimes it's so quiet outside the cities that you don't see any other traffic... but then deer, red squirrels, foxes, badgers, birds of prey including eagles, and of course we have 'the famous grouse' here, and then in Perth itself, beavers have been active in the River Tay for a few years now!
For history, there are castles 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)
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 (june 2022) no tour has ever been cancelled by HBT due to weather conditions (here in Perthshire it's usually good cycling weather!)
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 the total fee for the entire group.
Please contact us by email for more info, or to confirm date. This to ensure nobody else can book a tour on that day.
E-bikes will be returned to HBT, and then if desired a malt whisky from Perthshire can be tasted (we are lucky that there are many world famous malt whisky distilleries in this region of Scotland), so there is a choice for a wee dram from Glenturret, Edradour, Blair Athol, Aberfeldy, Tullibardine, Old Perth, Auchnagie, or Dalwhinnie from Perthshire, and then there's Lindores Abbey (a Lowlands malt whisky from Fife) which is also on one of our cycling routes... or if you prefer why not grab a freshly made tea or coffee?
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 don'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
