The Slow Cyclist, a specialist in small-group cycling holidays, has confirmed its first Scottish departure. The new five-night e-bike journey, titled “Castles, Art & Heritage in the Scottish Borders,” is scheduled to launch in 2027 and will be based at Thirlestane Castle, a 16th-century stronghold in the Scottish Borders.
The tour is designed for travellers who want to combine gentle cycling with deep cultural immersion. Guests will ride along quiet roads and through remote valleys, with stops at the ruins of Melrose Abbey and Dryburgh Abbey. The itinerary also includes visits to Bowhill House and Gardens, the seat of the Dukes of Buccleuch, and Traquair House, Scotland’s oldest inhabited fortified house.
Evenings are set to feature candlelit dinners, whisky tastings, and traditional bagpipe performances, all within the walls of Thirlestane Castle. The castle, which has been home to the Maitland family for over 400 years, offers a rare opportunity to stay in a lived-in historic estate.
Founder’s vision for the Borders
Oli Broom, founder of The Slow Cyclist, said he was captivated by the region during a scouting trip in autumn 2025. “I first explored these borderlands in the autumn of 2025 and was enchanted by the silence of the glens, the richness of the history and the beauty of the castles, abbeys and stately homes that define the Scottish Borders,” he said.
Broom, who has built The Slow Cyclist’s reputation on curated, story-driven itineraries in Italy, France, and Spain, said the Scottish Borders offered a new kind of appeal. “This is not about covering distance; it’s about connecting with place and people,” he added.
The use of e-bikes makes the region’s rolling terrain accessible to a wider range of fitness levels, allowing guests to focus on the scenery and heritage rather than exertion. The tour is available from April to September, with departures limited to small groups to maintain an intimate experience.
Pricing and inclusions
The tour is priced at $7,200 (£5,875) per person, which includes five nights’ accommodation at Thirlestane Castle, all meals, guided activities, and the use of e-bikes. Transfers from Edinburgh Waverley station are also included, making it easy for international travellers to reach the start point.
Edward and Sarah Maitland-Carew, trustees of Thirlestane Castle, said they hope guests will appreciate the unique blend of history and landscape that the Borders offer. “We are delighted to welcome The Slow Cyclist and their guests to our home,” they said in a joint statement.
The launch of this Scottish itinerary marks a strategic expansion for The Slow Cyclist, which has seen growing demand for UK-based active holidays. The company’s move into Scotland also aligns with broader trends in the travel industry, where slow travel and cultural immersion are increasingly sought after by affluent travellers.
For travel agents and tour operators, the new product offers a distinct selling point: a small-group, e-bike tour with a strong heritage angle, based in a castle. It also complements other UK-focused offerings, such as Loganair’s orchestral tours to Scottish islands, which highlight the region’s cultural appeal.
The Slow Cyclist’s Scottish Borders tour is expected to appeal to the same demographic that has embraced other slow-travel experiences, such as Walk Japan’s countryside itineraries. With its focus on storytelling and local community, the tour is positioned to attract both leisure travellers and those seeking a more meaningful holiday.
Bookings for the 2027 season are expected to open in late 2026, with early interest already reported from past clients of The Slow Cyclist. The company said it plans to add more Scottish departures if demand warrants.
