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saddle grape and grain- the 2026 tours

In 2026 we will be running four main guided tours and shorter two day tours in the Cotswolds. Here’s a summary of the tours below - click on ‘2026 tours’ on the menu page to get more details, dates and prices.

Quite challenging - around 50 miles a day on quiet backroads at a comfortable pace - amazing views and scenery as compensation for your efforts.

An eight day tour which is challenging at times.

• We meet up in Glasgow and then transfer to the starting point of the tour, the 19th Century whisky ‘capital’ of the world, Campbeltown at the south of the Mull of Kintyre.

• After a warm-up day, the route then takes us up the length of Kintyre, across to Islay then to Jura and across by rib to Tayvallich on the mainland. A private boat crossing takes us to a quiet corner of the Isle of Mull from Oban and we cycle up to Tobermory. Finally, we hop across from Mull to the Morvern peninsular or Ardnamurchan before finishing our ride in Fort William.

The stunning Isle of Arran and quiet less-known corners of the mainland.

• The cycling distances aren’t too long but it’s hilly!

• Easy transport connections to and from Glasgow at the beginning and of the trip.

• Two great distilleries on Arran

• Additional whisky tasting and talks en route

• Possible extra night and Clydeside distillery visit.

Starting from Dublin, great cycling countryside and a route that takes in visits to some of the new wave of independent Irish distilleries to finish in Cork.

• An early evening walk through the historic whisky district of Dublin.

• Great Wiklow mountain scenery on day 2.

• A day off the bikes on the third day, optional rowing and a distillery visit.

• A quiet route to Waterford and an afternoon distillery visit.

• To Dungarvan by cycle path and then onto distillery at Ballyduff before a transfer to a beautiful hotel on the coast.

• A final ‘back roads’ ride to Cork.

• Good hotels and food, great company.

This is a 7-night (8 day) tour. Piedmont is famed for its food and wine, not least the ‘King’ and ‘Queen’ of Italian reds, Barolo & Barbaresco. But there’s a wealth of lesser-known wines to enjoy as we cycle through the mosaic of small vineyards, still largely family-owned. Most of this circular route is on very quiet roads or strada bianche (gravel tracks) away from crowds and traffic.

Though there are hills to climb, the pace is gentle with 30 to 40 miles to cover every other day moving between hotels, with our support van carrying bags and anyone who needs a rest from cycling. A reasonable level of fitness is required, though the option of E-bikes makes the tour accessible to most abilities. There’s a pool at most of the hotels / villas we stay in where you can unwind before a delicious, well-earned dinner. Depending on the weather, we have picnics among the vines, or light lunches in a local trattoria.

On the in-between days we cycle a short distance to a vineyard for a wine tasting and lunch. We then return to our hotel/villa in the support van for a relaxing afternoon.

We will happily transport bikes to and from the UK (within the M25) for those using their own, or arrange hire including E-bikes.

Transfers to Turin airport are included, as is all food and wine. Dinners in restaurants and occasionally with private chefs at our villas are extremely good.

Both Tom and Aidan will be accompanying you.