Two of the country’s leading mountain biking companies are joining forces this summer to create the ultimate cycling holiday. Dirt School, the UK’s top coaching company, and Go-Where Scotland, a mountain bike holiday provider, are teaming up to offer a unique new style of riding holiday – Big Mountain Safari.

Combining guiding through some of Scotland’s most remote trails with expert tuition, this is a Safari like no other. Taking place in the epic mountains of north west Scotland, riders will pass through some of the country’s most iconic landscapes; Skye, Torridon, Glencoe and Knoydart to name just

Explore amazing scenery like this with Go-Where and Dirt School

a few. From private boat trips to hidden glens to sipping whisky in the UK’s most remote pub, it’s little wonder the venture has already picked up a Tourism Innovation Award.

Andy McKenna, founder of Go-Where Scotland, and all round man of the mountains, will provide the guiding. He said: “I’ve ridden all over the world in some of the most far flung riding locations you can imagine and I still feel awe when I ride here. In all the time we’ve been leading tours in this part of Scotland there hasn’t been a single client who wasn’t absolutely blown away by the riding – people just aren’t prepared for how adventurous a trip can feel amongst the towering mountains, lochs and glens of the Northwest Highlands!”

The trip kicks off with a day and a half’s coaching from Dirt School’s Chris Ball on classic trails to assess each rider’s needs and prepare them for the days ahead. The aim is to make sure each participant enters the mountains feeling confident about the terrain they’ll be riding, but with the added reassurance that Chris will be on hand all week to offer guidance if needed.

Chris said: “This trip is the culmination of many months spent with Andy in the mountains. I wanted to take people up there to experience the awe inspiring beauty of Scotland but with the confidence that they’ll be given everything they need to be able to enjoy every minute of the trip”.

• The first Big Mountain Safari runs from August 4 – 10, 2012, more dates will follow in 2013 and beyond
• Each trip can accommodate up to seven riders
• Tourism Innovation award was given to the partnership by Scottish Enterprise in 2011
• The trip costs £1595

Price includes

• Expert leadership and professional coach on hand all day, every day
• Videos of riding throughout the week
• Après ride playback sessions if desired
• Individual focus on riding development
• Expert answers to any riding questions
• Private boat access to remote trail gems
• Professional Guide
• One day of chairlift assisted riding
• Quality hotel/guest house accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
• Transfers, ferries and private transportation throughout the trip
• Mechanical Support
• Detailed pre-departure information
• Trip videos and photos