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Tartan Bicycle Company

Providing quality hybrid and electric pedal assisted bicycles for hire, self-guided and guided bike tours around Edinburgh. We also help organise bespoke tours around Scotland.

At the Tartan Bicycle Company we offer guided and self-guided bicycle day tours in and around the city of Edinburgh with several suggested routes. We can also help you organise your own bespoke bike tour around Scotland, if you are ambitious to explore further. We use only good quality hybrid bikes, with the option of electric pedal assist bikes. We also provide a bike hire service, if you just want to do your own thing.

With self-guided tours starting from £25 per person for a half day and £40 for a full day;  we will pick you up from your accommodation before starting you on an adventure along mainly light trails and cycle paths, past some of Edinburgh's must see sites which are generally missed on foot.  Cycle over the Forth Road Bridge for magnificent views of the Firth of Forth, or take a leisurely meander along the Union Canal, past the unworldly Falkirk Wheel and the ancient ruins of Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Then at the end of each tour we take you and your memories back to your accommodation for a satisfiying rest.

Our tours are designed to be taken easy, by people of almost all ages and physical ability.  For an extra £10 the option of our electric pedal assisted bicycles will help take almost all the effort out of any gradient of hill.

Vehicle support is provided throughout our tours in case you take a wrong turn or have a puncture.

Included in the price:

- Transport to and from accommodation in Edinburgh, with support throughout tour.

- Bicycle, fitted with mud and chain guards, lights, bell and pannier bag.

- Maps with route description and interesting information.

- Helmet and lock also supplied.

Please check our website for more information and full terms and conditions. 

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The Tartan Bicycle Company

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Edinburgh Sky to Sea Bike Tour with Choice of Manual or E-Bike

Scottish Highland Bike Tour by Manual or E-bike

Forth Bridges and Edinburgh Suburbs by Manual or E-bike

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

The Tartan Bicycle Company - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

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Great tour highly recommend - The Tartan Bicycle Company

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Great tour highly recommend

Brilliant tour whether a local or a tourist! Returning to hometown with family, Johann guided our family including a 12 and 15 year old. Great bikes. Excellent bridge tour relaxed and informative Johann was a perfect guide. Will return for a future tour! Highly recommended.

Thank you so much for your kind review. I hope you keep up the cycling Abby, you really have a talent for it. All the best and hope you can join us again very soon.

Johann is a certified Scottish beauty and the best bloke imaginable to tour the gorgeous city of Edinburgh. His knowledge of the area is unmatched, and he has the route down to a science. He had great chat the whole time and plenty of suggestions of other activities to fill our stay in Edinburgh. He modified the route live to accommodate the various attractions we wanted to see. He put up a solid effort climbing Arthur’s seat, but was slowed down by chains and water bottles in his saddlebags and was no match for 400W of Canadian horsepower.

Ahhh shucks. I am honoured to receive such kind words. Sorry to disappoint on the climb. For the record, I've learned never to attempt beating a paying customer in a bike race, especially a group of young athletes like yourselves. Keep up the training and see you with panniers off some other time.... Gulp!

Johann is an incredibly captivating guide with top tier equipment. In a group of six, we managed to explore the coolest stops from central Edinburgh as well as the surrounding areas while receiving interesting history lessons and fun facts from Johann. I highly recommend the Sky to Sea tour and can’t wait for us to return and do our next trip with Johann!

We had a private tour heading over to the bridges. We are a family of 5 with 3 teenage children. Johann was excellent from picking us up, to guiding us around the estates and engaging with our children to make sure they got the best out of the tour as well. Great knowledge, great guide, great bikes and a fantastic day out. Well recommended.

Thank you so much guys. I'm glad you enjoyed our Bridges tour.

We had a great time seeing the sights of the city from a different view point. Glad I knew that I was slightly unfit and went for the e-bike option! Johann was a great tour guide pointing things out, stopping for breaks and just general chatting about the area where we had stopped. Lots of photo opportunities to be had. We have learned lots of things about Edinburgh and he even gave us tips of good places to eat.

It was a pleasure showing you around Rachael. I'm glad you enjoyed the foodie tips.

Superb and Johan is exactly what you need when you book a cycle tour. I’ve been on cycle tours around cities all over the world. This guy is probably the best. Attentive, knowledgable, punctual. Excellent bikes etc etc. We also hired bikes out from Tartan a few days ago and top models. All in all I thoroughly recommend

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Highland Bike Tour October 2023 - The Tartan Bicycle Company

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Highland Bike Tour October 2023

We had a great ride with Johann recently on the Highlands Bike Tour. Pickup was prompt right outside our hotel. The van is spacious and comfortable. The route is beautiful and the e-bikes made it feel like we could go on for hours, even with the hills. There is a stop at a small cafe in the middle of the tour with a reasonably priced and delicious menu. We really enjoyed the stops to Doune Castle and the short hike above Balquhidder Kirk and all of the knowledge Johann shared about the history of the area. We were in the UK for 10 days, many of them spent in cities, so being able to go out into the Highlands and experience the beautiful natural scenery was a real highlight of our trip.

Thank you Gwen for your kind review of our Highlands bike tour. I'm glad you enjoyed seeing some of the natural beauty of Scotland. We hope to see you again soon.

We had a blast on this tour! Ride up the hill, down the hills, on the paths and through the tunnels. See some beautiful sights and learn a few things. It rained most of the trip and we made the best of it. We have zero complaints about this tour and HIGHLY RECOMMEND it, just wish we had known a few things before we left (so we could have been prepared)… so here they are so that you know for your ride: - Tour starts at 9:30 but really that means that you are at the starting point. It takes a bit to get the bikes off the van and for the group to be ready to roll. The tour ends around 2 pm so plan accordingly. - Yes they are e-bikes but yes you will have to pedal. A lot. 16 miles. You still need to be in somewhat decent shape to take on the hills - even with turbo mode! We were glad we didn’t bring the grandparents - this is not a “cruising” tour. You are moving! - You will have to go on cobblestone streets. Not the whole time, thank goodness, but enough to make you want to yell curse words and question your will to live. - There are two restroom breaks at public toilets along the way. - Several reviewers mention gloves and raincoats. Only a few of these were available on our ride (and in a small selection of sizes) so if you have your own, bring them. - You might envision a bike with a basket on the handlebars, but that’s not the case. Try to leave extra stuff at home. Everything you do have that you can’t hold will go in a saddle bag on your bike. I wore a light backpack the whole time instead. - Bring some old crackers to feed the swans. We did not, but wished we had. Guide was friendly and helpful- he owns the business and is working hard to be successful. Highly recommend the tour!

The bikes were amazing to bike with! Everything needed was included and everything worked how it should be working. Would definitely rent again, when biking in Scotland.

Our bike tour with Tartan on Sept 26 was fabulous. We absolutely loved it. The bikes were of very high quality and were well maintained. Our tour guide, Johann, knew Edinburgh and its history well. He was all about teaching us and about customer service. I would do this tour again in a heartbeat. My wife and I chose to use the regular bikes, not the eBikes. It was a good bit of exercise, but not overwhelming.

Thank you so much for joining my bike tour Shawn. It was a pleasure spending the morning showing you around Edinburgh. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Scotland. See you again soon!

Awesome tour. There are so many fun things to do in Edinburgh but this was the activity we enjoyed the most. Even my husband, who is always reluctant to ride a bike, thought this was fantastic. We saw so much we would have never seen on a conventional walking or bus tour. Most of the ride is on paved bike paths so riding with car traffic was not a concern. We were happy we requested e-bikes since there are a few hills. The bikes were in excellent condition and Johann was a knowledgable guide and a terrific leader.

My mother, girlfriend, and I had a wonderful experience with Johann and the Tartan Bicycle Company (Tartan Bike Tours) in the Scottish Highlands, Sept 2023. Johann picked us up at our accommodation in his red support van, provided all the necessary cycling gear (outside of clothing), and drove us 2-hrs north of Edinburgh to Pitlochry. He is a capable and thoughtful guide, supporting us with guidance (pre-programmed Garmin), food, and repairs (flats happens). Tartan offers a good selection of bicycles from e-bikes for mom (64F) to speedier options for me (33M). He mentioned he will also have Gravel Bikes for rent. There are some really nice trails in that area for all sorts of cycling enthusiasts and Johann offered insightful knowledge of many different options. There was one section of trail where Johann rode with us for a bit to help us ford a small mudslide blocking the path. He is truly connected to the trails and has good feeling/experience to anticipate any issues that may arise. Can't say thanks enough, we had an amazing experience and enjoyed ourselves tremendously. Cheers!

Thank you Sam for your kind feedback. I'm very happy to hear that you enjoyed your couple of days cycling through Highland Perthshire and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. It was a pleasure supporting your tour and spending time in the company of you and your lovely family. I hope to meet you again sometime soon. All the Best!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to the starting point of the bike tour?

A1. In most cases we pick our customers up directly from the address provided during booking. This can be a hotel, B&B, private home or a pre-arranged meeting point within approximately 2 miles (3 km) radius of the Edinburgh city centre.

Occasionally, for larger private tour groups or when our vehicle is full, we may arrange a taxi or make a contribution for customers to travel to the start of the route. Travellers staying outside the city centre can meet the tour either at the start of the route, or be picked up from a convenient central location.

When does my tour end?

Finish times differ between tours * Please refer to our website for the finishing times provided in the tours itinerary. It’s worth noting these times are approximate, and tours can be delayed due to issues outside of our control.

* With the exception of private tours, where starting/finish times are more flexible.

What clothing should I wear to my tour?

Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for cycling and for the weather conditions. It’s also worth bringing extra clothing in case of a change in temperature. Waterproof saddle bags are provided on request to carry additional gear.

How many people will be taking part in the tour?

With the exception of private tours, our minimum group size is 2 persons, with a maximum group size of 10 persons per scheduled tour. Typically expect a group of 5 to 8 persons joining a scheduled city tour during the high season.

Due to the capacity of our vehicle, we have a maximum capacity of 7 persons for Freedom and Bridges tours.

How much cycling experience and fitness do I need to take a tour?

We plan our routes very carefully to make our tours as safe and traffic free as possible. This said, we assume everyone booking a tour is comfortable riding a bicycle and has good road sense. Instructions on how to use our bikes and a safety briefing are given by your guide prior to your tour.

Much of Scotland is made up of hills and mountains, therefore all of our tours do feature the occasional uphill climb. For regular commuters and more experienced cyclists these climbs may not pose too much of a problem. For occasional cyclists or travellers looking for a more relaxed experience, we recommend opting for one of our popular ebikes (electric pedal assist bicycles).

Is there a lunch stop during our tour?

Lunch stops can be arranged for full day tours and private tours. Time permitting, light refreshment stops can often be made during half day tours, if agreeable with other members of the group. Please bring snacks for consumption during your tour. Water is provided.

What happens in the case of bad weather?

Edinburgh has a temperate changeable climate. Typical summer daytime temperatures range between 17°C (66°F) and 22°C (74°F), with winter temperatures ranging between 2°C (32°F) and 10°C (52°F). Expect rain at any time.

However normally this arrives in the form of a shower. In the case of a weather warning being issued by the MET office, we will automatically cancel a tour, offering either a full refund or a rescheduled tour. This also applies if we decide that weather conditions are not safe to ride in. Examples of bad weather include heavy persistent rain, high winds, ice and snow.

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Bike Hire - The Tartan Bicycle Company

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I hired a bike from The Tartan Bicycle Company for a recent trip around Scotland and I couldn't have been happier with the service provided. It is possible to hire for a single day but I chose to hire for one week as I wanted to take the bike on holiday with me. The hire price was very reasonable, the bike was of great quality and came with a lock, pump, spare tube and helmet. It was dropped off at my home at the agreed time and Johann was very happy to assist me with getting the saddle height correct. I then took my bike off on holiday with me, had a wonderful time and it was again collected from my home. Johann even kept in touch with me when he had been held up in traffic so that I wasn't waiting around. Highly recommend this bike hire service. It was perfect for my trip and I will definitely be using it again for odd days/weekends in Edinburgh. Thanks Johann!

I had a solo tour with Johann; it was amazing and the highlight of my trip to Edinburgh. We cycled along the canal, through beautiful lush parks, up and around Arthur's Seat ...very pleased i chose the E-Bike! Along tree-lined railway cycle trails to the beach and the port then back toward the city to New Town. Johann was friendly, easy going and knowledgeable about the history and landmarks we visited and you can just see how much he loves his job! I thoroughly recommend taking this tour.

We had 2 days to see the sights of Edinburgh and so bicycle hire felt like it might be a fun way to do it. It turned out to be the perfect way to cover a huge amount of ground. Johann from The Tartan Bicycle Company was inspirational! He turned up at our door with bikes, locks and enthusiasm! He then took time out to help us map out routes that would include our must-see locations. The vast network of cycle paths make Edinburgh an ideal city to explore on 2 wheels. We found ourselves in spectacular tunnels and on sandy beaches and looking up at castles and pit-stopping at wonderful coffee shops. At the end of our trip we ended up in a different part of the city than we planned but it wasn't a problem. Johann drove to us and picked up the bikes effortlessly. We absolutely recommend him and The Tartan Bicycle Company! He made it possible to make 2 days feel like a whole week! Would use him again in a heartbeat!

Johann started offering bike hire during lockdown to diversify his business. We rented an e-bike from him for the day and the service could not have been more amazing. Johann delivered the bike to our doorstep and picked it up at the end of the day. We got a bike, saddle pouch with everything needed to repair a tube or tyre if needed, a pump, lock and helmet. The e-bike was a great model with plenty of autonomy, we were out for the whole day and still had plenty of juice to spare. Will be doing this again!

Thank you for your kind feedback Raph. We're very happy you enjoyed using our e-bikes. It was a pleasure being of service to you, and look forward to doing it again very soon.

About 6 years ago me and my pal landed in Edinburgh during the annual Jazzfestival. We had a vague plan to bike and busk around the Scottish Highlands. So we did. We rented two bikes from Tartan Bike Tours. We met Johann and he gave us tons of information and tips for our great adventure. What a guy, WHAT a service!!! Can't recommend him highly enough! Thanks...

I remember you very well, setting off on you travels with our bicycles and a guitar on your backs. I'm glad you had a memorable trip, and thank you for remembering our part in it.

Johann was fabulous and enabled us to escape for the day on a bike tour around Edinburgh over half term. He brought the bikes to our door and collected them at the end of the day. We had a wonderful time and covered well over 40km enjoying the coastal views of Cramond to Newhaven, The New Town, Old Town, The Meadows and Arthur's Seat. The E-Bikes made cycling easier for my daughter and I which meant that we could keep up with the boys!!! The bikes were in excellent condition and gave us all a thoroughly enjoyable day out. Cycling up Arthur's Seat has never been so easy!!! We can highly recommend this Company - thanks Johann for enabling us to escape our tiny flat for a day of adventure.