A journey of discovery begins at home, showcasing where Scotty Laughland’s MTB story started by highlighting his home trails. The daily track is a 10km loop featuring a little bit of everything: technical climbing, fast descents, root chutes, jumps, berms, and natural sections of trail. This mini MTB paradise includes Dumyat, a central-Scotland staple known for its volcanic rock features and views across Scotland and onto the Highland fault line.

Just around the corner from home lies Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, boasting over 1,800 square kilometres of lakes and mountainous forests featuring some of the most rugged terrain in Scotland. The adventure starts with a summit of Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly Munro. From start to finish, there are incredible 360-degree views. The descent is rough and ‘chonky’ but becomes fun once the flow is found.

In Scotland, there are two distinct types of mountains: Munros and Corbetts. A Munro is a Scottish mountain with an elevation of more than 3,000 feet (914 meters), while a Corbett is a Scottish mountain with an elevation of between 2,500 and 3,000 feet (762 and 914 meters). Some of these mountains provide amazing descents, while others do not.

Next on the list is a Corbett called the Cobbler, characterized by its jagged peak and enormous straight rocky spine, making it a peculiar-looking mountain—not one that would typically be considered for biking. The path to the summit is so tough that the bike has to be used as an anchor to pull up. Dropping in proves technical and difficult, resembling a long trial section. One line is ridden, and the most incredible rock slab is spotted, turning into a true highlight.

Further exploration of the National Park includes riding Stùc a’ Chròin, Ben More, Ben Ghlas, Ben Lawers, and discovering the up-and-coming riding spot of Balquidder. The full episode will reveal which trails worked and which did not.

How does one define epic? For this journey, it is a two-day route covering 100km of singletrack with over 2,000 meters of ascent and descent.

Starting at Bridge of Orchy, the team boards a train for a 40-minute ride to Corrour Railway Station, the highest and most remote railway station in the United Kingdom.

The path to Leum Ulliem, a Corbett, begins clearly but soon becomes tricky, requiring some bog bashing. Eventually, the summit is reached, offering the most incredible views across Glencoe, the Mamores, and the Cairngorms.

That night, sleeping in the mountains brings some unexpected challenges. Having somewhat underestimated the route for Day 1, the team arrives at the campsite soaked and in the dark of midnight.

After 5.5 hours of rest, they wake before sunrise to head up to the summit of Binnein Mòr. Riding the ridgeline provides epic shots beneath the wispy clouds. The real challenge begins with technical hike-a-bikes across loose terrain and high-consequence exposure, followed by long, challenging descents. Upon reaching the valley floor, exhaustion sets in, leaving just enough energy to ride back to Fort William.

It’s amazing what can be accomplished in a day—the places that can be reached, the corners that can be explored. This mission involves 45km with more than 1,000 meters of climbing and descending through some of the most deserted and wild sections of Scotland.

The first highlight of the route is Shenavall Bothy, a mountainside refuge providing shelter from both weather and midges. For those unfamiliar, midges are small insects native to Scotland, known for their relentless bites.

Upon reaching the highest point, the view down the valley reveals endless layers of mountain summits with a ribbon of singletrack weaving through. The descent is undeniably incredible and continues to improve, being fun, flowy, and fast all the way down to the infamous Causeway. This one-day epic is one of those rides that should be on any MTB rider’s bucket list—something truly special.

Wilderness is where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.

Starting in the coastal village of Mallaig, the journey to Shiel Bridge spans more than three days of bike packing. Day 1 involves accessing the eastern peninsula of Loch Nevis, where a boat shuttles the team to the far end of the Loch. From there, a short ride leads to the first night’s stopover in Sourlies Bothy.

Waking up on Day 2 includes an up-and-over mission to the most remote pub in the UK, accessible only by boat or, in this case, a 3-hour trek through the mountains. Arriving in Inverie, there’s a small cafe, a shop for necessary provisions, and the pub: The Old Forge.

The final day promises to be a big one—an estimated nine hours in the saddle covering 50km and 1,500 meters of climbing and descending. The day starts well, with good headway made through tough terrain, including a fun first descent along the edge of Loch Hourn. The last portion of this route involves traveling through incredible landscapes before returning to ‘civilization.’ This had been a true off-the-grid adventure from start to finish!

The Western Isles of Scotland are relatively unknown for mountain biking. While there are no established mountain bike trails, a network of mountain paths connects villages and abandoned settlements, creating opportunities for incredible raw mountain bike riding.

The Isle of Skye serves as the base for this trip, with Portree providing all the necessary amenities. Its central location allows for easy exploration of the island. The team rides the Sligachan Path and the Old Man of Storr.

Raasay, a small island off Skye’s northwestern coast, presents a brilliant micro-adventure for a day trip. After boarding the first ferry and landing, they stop off at the distillery to sample some Scotch before pedaling up the tarmac road to the path leading up Dùn Caan, the highest mountain of the island.

The ascent is relatively easy, and upon reaching the summit, breathtaking views of the mainland and surrounding islands are rewarded. The descent features a mix of technical riding and fast, flowy sections, allowing the team to make it down just in time to catch the last boat back as the sun sets beyond Skye.

The final island to explore is the Isle of Harris, reached by a stunning two-hour journey from Skye. After docking in Tarbert, the adventure continues along the Postman’s Path, a route once trodden by the villagers of Rhenigidale, now seeing less traffic since the construction of the tarmac road in 1990. The views are jaw-dropping, with a trail that matches the scenery. Tight, technical, and steep switchbacks lead down to a beach. The ride to the village passes through abandoned settlements and along the coastline. Once in Rhenigidale, there’s just one thing left: the return ride, replicating the journey made by the Postie.

Routes like these require experience, preparation, and planning. It is essential to always carry the necessary equipment and to respect the places where riding occurs.