The ultimate foodie guide to cycling IN the perthshire highlands
We scouted out all the best routes, restaurants and refuelling spots for our second joyride with Sir Chris Hoy, and LeBlanq Directeur Culinaire Ashley Palmer-Watts. We compiled them into one handy list, partnering with our friends at the Michelin Guide to combine our pro cycling and foodie knowledge.
Ride
FIND YOUR PERFECT JOYRIDE BY RETRACING OUR ROUTES BELOW
PERTHSHIRE Joyride
With Sir Chris leading from the front, we covered off all the best beauty spots that the rolling hills of Perthshire have to offer, and now you can too. Take in Loch Rannoch and Tummel Bridge, climb up to our ultimate coffee stop in the shadow of the region’s highest peak, Schehallion, and ride the banks of River Tay to sample Dunkeld’s stunning smoked salmon.
Relive the trip and then find routes for all abilities below.
“LeBlanq is for people who like their food prepared by world-class chefs in bucket-list destinations, in the company of cycling stars. This is a new breed of bike breaks.”
Perthshire Joyride Routes
Retrace the routes and take in all the beauty of our Perthshire Joyride. We use Komoot to plot our rides, so you can export a GPX file for your device, or amend the start and finish as necessary.
Difficult
Difficult
Intermediate
Intermediate
Dine
Hard work deserves a reward. Indulge in Perthshire’s finest restaurants.
BALLINtaggart, Grand TUlly
MICHELIN PLATE
When we needed help showcasing the flavours of Perthshire for our Friday evening “Time & Place” dinner, we knew who to ask.
We may be shamelessly biased as we enjoyed working with their fantastic team, but don’t let that take anything away from this recommendation. Eat at Ballintaggart if you want an authentic farm to fork experience that won’t break the bank, created by a very talented young chef in Jordan Clark, who really does know how to make Perthshire’s best produce sing. Don’t just take our word for it, here’s what Michelin have to say:
“Formerly a farmhouse and steading, this passionately run restaurant sits in a remote hillside location and comes complete with a cookery school and 4 nicely furnished bedrooms. Local and home-grown produce underpins menus which focus on accomplished, pared-back dishes with natural flavours.”
Andrew Fairlie AT GLENEAGLES
2 Michelin Stars
If you’re looking for Perthshire’s destination restaurant, then look no further. It’s a little drive from our base in Aberfeldy, but very worth the trip. This is a Scottish culinary institution, with classic French flair.
We think Michelin say it best:
“Hidden away in the depths of the world-famous Gleneagles resort hotel is this intimate restaurant. It may be windowless but the room has an appealing classical elegance, courtesy of dark wood walls, clever lighting and colourful food-themed art. An oil painting of the late Andrew Fairlie takes pride of place on one wall and Head Chef Stephen McLaughlin and his team work to continue Andrew’s philosophy and keep his spirit alive.
Refined cooking has a French heart and a Scottish soul and, while techniques are rooted in the classics, there are also touches of modernity. Superb quality produce guides the menu, with 95% of the vegetables coming from their walled Victorian garden and each dish focusing on one main ingredient which is then skilfully enhanced by its accompaniments. Service is formal but comes with plenty of personality.”
Sandemans, Pitlochry
MICHELIN PLATE
Classic dishes with a modern twist, much like the wood-panelled restaurant interior. Dining inside Fonab Castle is a very special experience.
Here’s Michelins take:
“Named after the family who built the castle, this intimate wood-panelled hotel restaurant comprises just 9 tables and is the perfect place for celebrating an occasion. The tasting menu showcases top Scottish ingredients from mountain to coast, and cooking has an elaborate modern style.”
Drink
Drink in the beauty of Perthshire at it’s best cOFFEE STOPS AND WATERING HOLES
THE PAPER BOAT ON LOCH TAY
The Paper Boat is an idyllic mid-ride coffee stop, where you can enjoy stunning views across Loch Tay’s rustic landscape - with a great cup of coffee with pastries, cake or brunch created with local seasonal produce.
After meeting in a small French ski resort in 2014, where they worked as chalet cooks, Alex & Bridget Martin worked and travelled the world together before opening The Paper Boat. All roads do lead back to Perthshire.
Aberfeldy Distillery
If you fancy something a little stronger than coffee, go all in and take a tour of Aberfeldy Distillery, where you’ll get to sample “The Golden Dram” - Aberfeldy single cask malt whisky - and discover how they craft such a beautifully balanced single malt scotch.
Matthew Cordiner, the distillery’s global ambassador, is a keen triathlete and joined us for a ride before taking us on a tour of this beautiful example of Scottish produce and heritage.
The secret bar is the perfect place to share a dram and debrief your ride. We’re not sure if scotch whisky is the best recovery drink, but Matthew is a great cyclist and triathlete, so it cant be all that bad.
Aran Bakery, Dunkeld
Aran (Scottish Gaelic for bread) is owned by Flora Shedden, a 2016 Great British Bake-Off finalist, who won the nation's hearts with her baking and loveliness. She has lovingly breathed new life into what was a derelict 200-year-old building.
Throughout the years, it has been everything from a lemonade factory to a dentist to a newsagent. It’s current iteration is one of our favourite coffee stops, and long may it stay that way. A beautiful open plan bakery kitchen that creates delicious patisserie, breakfast and lunch to be enjoyed in-house or on the banks of the River Tay just across the road.
RELAX
HANG YOUR BIKE UP AND MELT INTO RECOVERY MODE at THESE FOODIE hotels
DUN ALuINn, ABERFELDY
Dun Aluinn is an exclusive use venue that sleeps up to 18 guests in 9 sumptuous individually designed bedrooms. This was an idyllic location for hosting our guests, who could relax and enjoy the company of Sir Chris Hoy in an intimate and relaxing environment. Ash made good use of the kitchen facilities and the produce of the local area.
The rear terrace has the most incredible view of the valley, which can be enjoyed from the comforts of a wood-fired natural cedar hot tub, large enough for 10-12 guests. Dun Aluinn is available for hire as an Exclusive Use venue with catering provided by our friends at Ballintaggart Farm, with full housekeeping, butler and concierge services.
The Taybank, Dunkeld
During our Sunday ride, we stopped for refreshments in the riverside garden of The Taybank. The sound of the babbling river and views across the valley are breathtaking. If you’re looking for a foodie base in one of Perthshire’s most beautiful towns, this your spot.Serving local ales, Scottish gin, pizza and tacos from the beer garden, it’s the perfect place to unwind.
Be sure to request a room with a river view when you book. The bar and restaurant serve seasonal dishes and the menu changes weekly.
