A new interactive route planner has been launched by cycling and walking charity Sustrans and VisitScotland, Scotland’s national tourism organisation, making it easier for more people to explore some of Scotland’s most iconic long-distance cycling routes.

Discover the Caledonian Way

Beginning with the Caledonia Way, the project will showcase the huge variety of facilities, service provision and visitor attractions that cyclists can access along this stunning route.

The Caledonia Way, which stretches 237 miles from Campbeltown to Inverness, attracts an estimated 2,500,000 cycling journeys per year, and contributes to local economies through the growing interest in domestic and international cycle tourism visitors.

The interactive cycling planner

This project provides a central point of focus for leisure cycling visitors. As new routes are added, the project will afford partner bodies, organisations and individual businesses the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development and promotion of this vibrant and rapidly growing tourism sector.

The interactive planner provides cyclists with a number of multi-day touring itineraries and day-trip suggestions, demonstrating how cyclists with a broad range of experience and ability can enjoy this iconic route. By incorporating listings from VisitScotland’s extensive database, this initiative will inspire more cyclists to visit, and will allow them to plan their journey by browsing local accommodation, visitor attractions, events and food and drink options in advance.

Libby Foy, owner of Dalavich Shop and Wild Rowan Cafe said: “This new interactive map will enable us to promote our cafe business, and the services we offer, direct to leisure cycling visitors.“

This area has huge potential to attract all types of cyclists; the itineraries and the visitor attractions which are showcased on the microsite will help cyclists plan their visit more effectively, and will boost the number of cyclists choosing to come to our region.”

By combining Sustrans’ expertise as custodians of the National Cycle Network with VisitScotland’s significant domestic and international tourism reach, this initiative will inspire a broader, tourism-focussed audience to experience Scotland from a new perspective.

The interactive planner can be accessed at https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/active/cycling/national-routes/map/#/