‘It’s all about freedom and adventure’: five of the best bikepacking routes in Scotland

A cyclist who circumnavigated the globe says Scotland takes some beating because of its access-all-areas freedom

It’s not just the rolling hills or rugged coastline that make Scotland a haven for bikepacking, says round-the-world cyclist Markus Stitz. “It’s the access rights which let you explore it all.”

Bikepacking is an evolution of cycle touring which involves heading out on a multi-day ride with everything you’ll need to spend the night strapped to your bike. Scotland’s access rights, which turn 20 this year, make wild camping legal – and so bikepacking has boomed.