Last year the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Aug. 5–29) in Scotland presented 50,459 performances across 313 venues. If you want to combine active travel with arts and culture, H+I Adventures now offers an opportunity to arrive in Edinburgh just in time for the Fringe following its Coast-to-Coast Scotland mountain bike trip. This advanced-level, eight-day, seven-night ride finishes near the city so you can swap pedals for performances.
The journey begins at Bonar Bridge and follows a westerly route through scenic glens and technical single-track into Ullapool. From there the route continues through remote Highlands terrain toward Poolewe, passing Loch Maree, rocky mountain trails in Torridon, and the picturesque fishing hamlet of Shieldaig. Riders experience varied terrain and dramatic scenery before the final approach to Edinburgh.
After the ride, Edinburgh offers abundant entertainment. During the Fringe Festival the entire city transforms into a performance stage, with hundreds of venues hosting theater, comedy, music and experimental events. Venues range from established cultural sites to unexpected pop-up locations: highlights include performances at the Royal Botanic Garden’s West Gate, the Arthur Conan Doyle Centre, Bedlam Theatre, Blackwell’s Bookshop, Greyfriars Kirk, Hill Street Design House, Old Saint Paul’s Church, Parliament House Square, the Scottish National Gallery and The Queen’s Hall, along with historic churches and countless street and impromptu shows.
If the August dates do not fit your schedule, H+I Adventures runs multiple departures of the coastal route throughout the year (without the Fringe option). Those alternate departures let you experience the same coastal scenery and mountain biking challenges at different times of year.
