You travel individually by air to Edinburgh or Glasgow, and from there continue to Oban by bus or train. From 5:00 pm the cabins on the Flying Dutchman are ready for you. If you arrive earlier, your luggage will be stored until check-in on board. You are also welcome to use our shared transfer, which departs at 5:30 pm from Edinburgh city centre and at 6:00 pm from Edinburgh Airport. Over a late dinner you have the chance to get to know the crew and the tour guides.

After breakfast you set off on the first bike tour of the trip. It takes you south out of Oban, through hilly countryside and along a small Highland loch, before you return to the sea. Crossing a remote peninsula, you finally reach a ferry that takes you to the Isle of Luing. This island is one of the so-called Slate Islands, where quarrying the grey, shimmering stone once played an important economic role. A large part of the University of Edinburgh, for example, was built from the slate of this small island. The Flying Dutchman is already waiting at the jetty in Toberonochy and takes you to a secluded bay where you spend the night.

Today's circular tour takes you from Crinan to the fascinating archaeological site of Kilmartin. Stone circles reminiscent of Stonehenge and prehistoric burial mounds shape the wide landscape. After visiting the site and a lunch break in the lovely museum café, you cycle back to Crinan. Passing the Kintyre peninsula, made famous by Paul McCartney's song “Mull of Kintyre”, you continue by ship to the Isle of Jura.

After breakfast you cycle north across the Isle of Jura. George Orwell, who spent the last three years of his life here, once called it the most un-get-at-able place on earth. Enjoy the peace of the island, disturbed only now and then by one of the roughly 5,000 deer that live here. Passing the so-called Paps of Jura, you reach a small jetty where the Flying Dutchman picks you up for the crossing to the Isle of Mull. On the way you pass the Corryvreckan whirlpool, one of the largest natural whirlpools in the world – but don't worry, your experienced crew will bring you safe and sound to a quiet bay on the Isle of Mull.

Today's bike tour is all about Scotland's impressive nature. The route takes you through hilly terrain and along the coast. Around every bend a new, breathtaking view awaits you. You share the road almost exclusively with sheep and shaggy Highland cattle grazing leisurely on the bright green meadows. Along the varied coastal road you cycle past Loch Na Keal to Salen. You spend the night at a quiet pier in Salen and, with a bit of luck, can enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Today you will climb a fair number of metres as you explore the northern part of the Isle of Mull by bike. As a reward you can take a well-earned break in a cosy tearoom before the bright white beach of Calgary Bay, with its crystal-clear water, invites you to relax. The way back leads through hilly terrain with a few steeper climbs. Your destination is the island's main town, Tobermory. The town is simply beautiful, with its colourful house fronts, and of course you shouldn't miss a visit to a real Scottish pub. The national dish of fish 'n' chips and the famous haggis are always on the menu here.

Today's bike tour takes you out of Tobermory once more to Glengorm Castle, which sits imposingly on a hill in the north of the Isle of Mull. The 19th-century manor house is an impressive sight, and in the cosy tearoom you can fortify yourself for the ride back to Tobermory. Then it's “cast off” one last time, and the Flying Dutchman takes you through the Sound of Mull back to Oban. Before dinner you still have time to look around Oban. McCaig's Tower, a never-completed replica of the Colosseum in Rome, is well worth a visit.

After breakfast on board, disembarkation takes place by 9:00 am. You reach Edinburgh Airport either individually or with our shared transfer.