Borrowing the European definition of ‘freeride’ – more of a journey sampling diverse terrain and scenery than throwing yourself off huge drops (well actually, there’s that too!) – GO WHERE’s Freeride Scotland Tours offer some serious ‘must do’ mountain biking.

What can you expect? We’ll be linking up some of the best trail centres with the most amazing wilderness riding available in Scotland. If you want more downs than ups, we’ll do the map work, get you to the tastiest bits of trail, drop you off, and come pick you up. Easy!  If you like to earn your downs, well we know plenty of routes that will quench the thirstiest lactic acid and adrenaline habits.

Want to know more?

Going by the large volume of ‘Torridon’ related web searches that find their way onto our site, this glorious part of Scotland is increasingly popular amongst outdoor lovers. And we know why – for anyone interested in exploring the far north west of Scotland,

We’ve travelled all over Europe and the USA, and loved riding some amazing trails in Lake Garda, Chamonix, Finale and Moab for instance, but none of them will ever dull our passion for the incredible mountain bike riding in the Torridon area. Get in touch if you’d like to know more. 

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Check out our profile here where we’ll shortly be adding all the latest 2011 trips. Please leave a review to help us benefit from the site, and spread the word to your friends.

"Captivating countryside, wonderful wildlife and outstanding local produce… the Scottish Borders is irresistible. And the best way to sample it? On your bike."  Kate Chambers, Editor, British Airways High Life Magazine

We were delighted to host a unique and relaxed cycling tour around some of the Scottish Borders many gastronomic hot spots over three days, and at the same time sample the abundance of opportunities for recreational cycling in the area.

Our clients arrived in Berwick upon Tweed by train before being transferred to Peeble’s Tontine Hotel for a night of luxury. But before they could settle in for the night, they were treated to their very own chocolate making course at the amazing Cocoa Black.

"Our group was met at Berwick by two hearty chaps from Go-where, an ingenious company who tailor-make such tours, provide bikes, transport luggage between resting posts and act as guides along the route." Kate Chambers, Editor, British Airways High Life Magazine

Well fed, and ready for the days riding ahead, Alpine Bikes ensured everyone was able to make the most of their trip by supplying some great bikes and everything that was needed to make the ups (almost) as enjoyable as the downs, leaving our visitors with nothing to concentrate upon except the glorious views whilst speeding along the Tweed Cycle Route.

Innerleithen’s finest restaurant (and country guest house) Caddon View provided our first welcome diversion for ‘elevenses’ where we all enjoyed the produce of Steve and Lisa’s award winning kitchen. We had to prise ourselves from the stunning surroundings of their superb guest house as the hills were quietly calling, and off we set on the final leg of today’s ride – from Innerleithen to Clovenfords Hotel. Even with more than a few ‘undulations’ to overcome, the scenery and wildlife from every angle ensured that legs and spirits were never too tired as we rolled into Clovenford’s old coaching inn for another superb taste of the Scottish Borders’ larder.

The fine riding was done for today, all that was left was to load up the bikes, relax and enjoy the verdant scenery as we cruised along quiet roads and byways to Overlangshaw farm to try Lucy’s incredible organic ice-cream. Reluctantly we left her parlour and made the sleepy drive through rolling scenes teeming with newborn lambs, to the gorgeous town of Melrose, where the Townhouse and Burts Hotel would rest our (slightly) weary heads after a delicious meal at one of the town’s most established eateries – Marmions Brasserie.

On a GO-WHERE tour, the days are as relaxed or as challenging as our clients prefer, so today we started the day by using the vehicle to take in some sights around Melrose – Scott’s View, and, Wallaces Statue – before swinging fully recovered legs over the saddle, and making onwards to the breathtaking Floors castle near Kelso.

A whistle-stop tour of the magnificent Floors left us with quite an appetite, so it was back in the vehicle then onwards for a fabulous lunch at the Teviot Smokery. A glass of wine, a selection of superb smoked goodies later, it was time to depart – there were one or two yawns from the back of the vehicle as we rewound our way to Berwick train station to bid our clients bon voyage!

"Then, too soon, it was time to bid our bikes farewell, agreeing that the Scottish Borders’ glorious mix of stunning scenery and outstanding local produce was definitely worth all the huff and puff." Kate Chambers, Editor, British Airways High Life Magazine

If you’d like us to organise your very own gastronomic tour of Scotland, don’t hesitate to get in touch 

Check out the latest reports (below):

Kate Chambers – British Airways High Life

Selina Maycock – Scunthorpe Telegraph

Paul Bond - The Travel Editor

At number four, one of our favourites – a trip to Golspie’s Highland Wildcat Trails – featured because of its ‘mesmerising climbs, fantastic single-track and unbelievable setting’.

Get in touch to arrange your next adventure at Golspie, or any one of Fiona’s must see, must do experiences on foot, by bike, or from the water!

Scotland has regularly been voted the world’s No.1 destination for mountain biking by the International Mountain Bike Association and this three day journey allowed visitors to experience exactly why. Designed by mountain bikers for mountain bikers, the route took the high road to the Summit, travelling through the wild glens and mountains of the Cairngorms National Park to end right at the summit venue in Aviemore!

Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in Scotland. This point to point bike odyssey took the lucky visitors on a route through the south and western edges of the park, riding through isolated backcountry glens before finishing in Aviemore.

The route followed mainly natural trails and is not waymarked, and we didn’t see another soul over the course of the three day trip. Along the way we brought the landscape to life and provided our guests with an insight into Scottish wildlife, history and culture. In the evenings, we relaxed in comfort at locally owned hotels and guest houses where local produce and malt whisky was the order of the day! 

Is it Summer yet?

But if the idea of cramming all your gear (and your friends!) into the cars and heading to the hills isn’t your flask of tea, then how about booking your own environmentally sustainable mountain taxi? So, if the prospect of being collected and dropped off at the foot of your favourite mountain sounds like your idea of the perfect escape, then get in touch to find out more.

In each issue their editor Richard Rowe manages to capture the drama and splendour of Scotland in a unique way – the magazine is always feature-led and backed with inspiring photography, articles on adventure travel, outdoor sports, wildlife, ecology and conservation – plus it showcases the entrepreneurial spirit of Scotland’s outdoor scene, and investigates the issues that shape Scotland’s outdoors. Highly reccommended!

…on a bike!

We’ve teamed up with Highland and Islands Adventures who are offering not just a very special mountain biking trip in the stunning landscape of the Highlands of Scotland, but the opportunity to tour the world-famous Speyside whisky distilleries – sampling their finest malts along the way.

With the trip planned for 26th April – 3rd May 2010, don’t miss out on the chance to find out how the ‘gid stuff’ is made, try a dram or two, savour the individuality and uniqueness of each, and immerse yourself in the phenomenal mountains and glens where the Speysides world-famous distilleries draw their ‘uisge beatha’*

*water of life

With a spell of fairly settled weather forecast, we jumped in the van and took a trip to the north west highland glens of Affric and Cannich to scope out some stunning new through routes for next year.

We packed for the worst, but what we found was perfect riding conditions. Crisp, dry trails, stunning scenery, and the hills heavy with deer – some just yards away from us – brave and proud in their natural environment. The scope for hillwalking, mountain biking, and just simply taking in the sights here is endless!

Get in touch if you’d like us to help you explore.