Gravel Rides Scotland

by Ed Shoote

Gravel Rides Scotland by Ed Shoote contains 28 routes, ranging from 31 to 128 kilometres in length, exploring the very best gravel riding that Scotland has to offer.

Gravel riding is the fastest-growing cycling discipline – this book showcases the finest routes in Scotland, its natural home. The routes are clustered within seven outstanding gravel destinations – the Scottish Borders; Dumfries and Galloway; Argyll and Bute; Highland Perthshire and the Trossachs; the Cairngorms (split into Deeside and Aviemore); and North West Scotland. Each section makes the perfect base for a short break, or combine some of the routes together on a bikepacking trip. Classic gravel routes such as ‘Gravelfoyle’ and the Big Country Loop in Galloway are listed alongside hidden gems including Loch Eck and the Lammermuir herring roads.

Each route includes all the information you need to help you plan your ride, interesting background information about the local area, types of terrain covered and refreshment recommendations in addition to detailed directions, stunning photography and overview mapping. Downloadable GPX files of the routes are also available.

This book is full of practical tips and advice on all aspects of gravel riding, including the bike itself, essential kit to carry when out on a ride, as well as a brief history of gravel riding in Scotland.

Enjoy Gravel Rides Scotland and the adventures it will open up. Ride faster, ride further and ride gravel.

272 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2022

Reviews

[Neil S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more than a simple listing of gravel rides and their route descriptions and is all the better for that. A guide packed full of information, advice and inspiration to encourage responsible riding.
As the title suggests this book is aimed at Gravel Bike riders, and is particularly encouraging to those keen to make the transition from on-road to off-road riding. That isn't to say mountain bikers couldn't use it for inspiration if wanting to take a smoother trail or perhaps as you get older or less adventurous. Many infamous mountain bike routes are just too tough for the lighter gravel bikes and the author has avoided including routes that are likely to wreck your bike or perhaps damage yourself.
A well balanced selection of rides across a wide area of Scotland with a natural concentration in areas which offer appropriate grades of trail suitable for gravel bikes.

The author has divided the rides into 7 regions and for each region, the author initially provides a very good overview including all manner of information outlining the lay of the land, scenic highlights, tourist info and other points of interest to consider whilst in the region.
For each individual ride, you then get a more detailed introduction and description of the local area with lots of historic and community facts to help you make the most of each visit.
A route overview follows, again with lots of really useful info. This is followed by a route map plus quite high level left/right style directions. You also get instructions on how to download detailed GPX files to accompany each route from the publishers website.
Additional side bars contain context on route navigation/grading, local facilities & refreshments, local bike shops, public transport to the area and other routes or attractions to consider whilst in the area.
I really liked the way the author is trying to encourage riders to come and stay in an area for a few days and tackle a number of rides, often making suggestions on how rides (often hinting at other options not covered within the book but pointing at sources where info can be obtained) can be linked up either as day trips or bike packing adventures.

[Emily Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got into Mountain biking thanks to the first lockdown and living in West Yorkshire this meant that I had to get stuck in with hard routes. Being new to biking the idea of gravel rides made me think was just a fancy name for the type of cycling I did as a kid. Tow paths, old railway lines. What’s special about that?

Gravel rides Scotland is a great book for shining a light on the gap between road cycling and mountain biking. Providing 28 routes around Scotland divided into 7 regions, the book has the typical VP quality of grading of routes and safety advice.

Routes vary from 20 miles to 80 miles (the majority being 30-40miles) and provide great options for bike packing the longer routes.

All the routes have an introduction which gives a good overview of the area including tourist information and reasons to stay a while longer. They also include a summary box with key information, a good map which is useable for navigation and a detailed description of the route. At the start of the book there is a link to be able to get gpx files of the routes too.

I think this is a really inspiring book including some great routes, such as the 7 stanes in Dumfriesshire and remote cycling on Rum. It’s perfect for anyone keen on exploring on a bike and provides a great range of forest, mountain and countryside routes. It also proves that gravel riding is a worthy activity in it own right and not just tame mountain biking.

[Sarah Laing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent wee book with some great inspirational rides all over Scotland for you to explore. Some are fairly well known trails, and some are epic rides created to challenge even fittest cyclist.

Gravel riding has seen a great boom in recent years and this guide aims to fill the gap in cycling guidebooks, and inspire others to go out and explore. With Scotland divided up into 7 geographical areas, from the Borders to the far North, routes of all length and difficulty and presented, including easier rides suitable for trailers. Excellent detailed route descriptions are included, along with large scale clear maps with way-marked points highlighted, along with excellent photographs which complement the text and show the character of the routes well. Usual tips and advice on how to use the book are included, along with information on the grading and bike tips as well as an interesting section on the history of gravel routes in Scotland.

Overall an excellent guide to some of the best remote (and not so remote) riding Scotland has to offer to the gravel rider, with plenty to inspire the next ride.

[Jim Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed maps and descriptions, GPS files (GPX), truly stunning photos, plus the nearest bike shop, what more could you want?
This book has 28 graded Gravel Rides from all over Scotland. Most of the rides are between 20 and 40 miles, but there are a few much longer routes with potential for overnight bike packing adventures and even combining routes. There are well known classics and some less well known routes. For those new to the sport, there is also lots of helpful general info on safety, history, and equipment.

[Patrick Styles · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is new to the sport of gravel riding this book is perfect. 28 great routes all around Scotland, incredibly well researched and put together with top photos of the views and mapping (GPS files) as well as nearest bike shops. I enjoyed the moments of humour that are in there. Really looking forward to getting out and using this guide! There is a great mixture of routes most between 20-40 miles with a few much longer routes with the potential for overnight bike packing adventures. Highly recommend

[MR ALAN MACKAY · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am laid up injured just now but this book has probably speeded up my recovery with it's inspirational brilliance. The mapping and gpx files are clear, the photos immense and the written descriptions informative. Everything is covered- the grade of gravel you'll encounter, local bike shops and refreshment stops. It has a logical layout with seven distinct areas covered across Scotland. I am very much looking forward to putting the book to practical use but meantime it's keeping me entertained as I heal. Thoroughly recommend you but a copy.

[David Fleetwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great guide which will inspire you to get on your bike and out riding. Fantastic routes with detailed instructions and GPS routes mean this has the technical side of being a good guide book nailed. Beyond that, fantastic photography and excellent all around production of the book make it an equally enjoyable experience to curl up on the sofa and plan the next adventure!

[J C · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s difficult to say this is “read”. I’ve read all of the introductory information which I found good but sort of obvious (every outdoor route book seems to be like this).

So the next job was to look at a few routes. Excellent descriptions and the maps were good quality.

Now to find the time to get out and give some time f them a whirl…