I had a week-long highland tour planned on the MTB but the weather had other ideas, so Plan B was the shorter Loch Ness 360, combining the Great Glen Way and South Loch Ness Trail. Whilst this wasn't a route I've ever particularly had my eye on, it turned out to be an absolutely cracking ride, with some of the finest scenery and off road trails I've cycled.

N.B. If you're thinking about cycling this one (either with or without camping kit) be well prepared. It's a challenging ride with steep hike-a-bike sections and some pretty technical descents, so make sure you and your bike (and bike handling skills) are in good order ... so you can fully enjoy this fantastic route up in the highlands!

Would love to hear what other bikepacking routes people recommend in this part of the UK.

Happy cycling folks!

Songs (not from the YouTube Library) are by the very talented VISITANTS (producer Brendan St. Gelais and producer/vocalist Darren Kyle King) and available from soundstripe.com