Road · United Kingdom
Stage 3 of 3 · National Cycle Route 1: Dundee to Tain (part)← Stage 2
Nigg to Evanton
A rolling 48 km road cycling route from Nigg, Highland to Evanton through Shandwick, Balintore and Hilton of Cadboll, with 197 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 47.6 km
- Elevation gain
- 197 m
- Riding time
- 3 h 24 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 20 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Nigg → Evanton
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 197 m
- 48 km
Route description
- Nigg
- Shandwick
- Balintore
- Hilton of Cadboll
- Clashnamuiach
- Tain
- Lamington
- Scotsburn
- Balnaguisich
- Evanton
Starting near Nigg at 0.9 km, the route passes through Shandwick, Balintore, Hilton of Cadboll, Clashnamuiach, then Tain at 21.4 km where a 2.6 km climb begins, gaining 56 m at an average gradient of 2.2%. The highest point is at 26.3 km at 123 m elevation. The path continues through Lamington, Scotsburn on Scotsburn Road (5.2 km), Balnaguisich, Alness, and finishes at Evanton (47.4 km). The road surface is fully paved, mainly on minor roads (85%) with some cycle path (9%), quiet streets (3%) and a short stretch of main road (3%). There is a longest continuous stretch of almost 20 km without a café, shop or water from 21.5 km to 41.4 km. Food and drink stops include the Balintore Inn pub near 8.7 km, cafés at Tain (21.4 km), Alness (41.4 km), and at the finish in Evanton. Shops are available in these towns as well. Bailout points with railway stations exist at Tain (21.4 km) and Alness (41.4 km).
Highlights
- 2.6 km climb near Tain
- Highest point 123 m at 26.3 km
- Scotsburn Road 5.2 km stretch
- Longest stretch without café or shop 19.9 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 20.3 km | 2.6 km · 56 m · 2.2 % · max 3.1 % | 63 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 1.5 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 85% minor road · 9% cycle path · 3% quiet street · 3% main road
- Main roads
- 1.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 22 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 4.1 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Scotsburn Road (5 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 100% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 11% climbing · 13% descending · 76% flat
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 20 km, from km 22 to 41. Along the route: 25 cafés and restaurants, 7 shops, 1 petrol station, 1 public toilet and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 8.4 kmSpar · convenience store · 360 m off route
- 8.7 kmBalintore Inn · pub · 340 m off route
- 21.4 kmPipers Coffee House · café · 50 m off route
- 21.4 kmCo-op Food · convenience store · 190 m off route
- 21.4 kmToilets · 150 m off route
- 21.4 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 180 m off route
- 39 kmLC24 Cycle Repair · bike shop · 570 m off route
- 41.4 kmCafe Picante · café · 140 m off route
- 41.4 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 120 m off route
- 41.4 kmAlness Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 44.8 kmSkiach Services · petrol station · 130 m off route
- 47.4 kmCornerstone · café · 360 m off route
- 47.4 kmCo-op Food · convenience store · 380 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 21.4 km — Tain (station), 420 m off route
- 41.4 km — Alness (station), 430 m off route
Worth a stop
- 21.4 km — Mercat Cross (monument)
- 31.6 km — Scotsburn House, Broch (archaeological site)
- 42.7 km — Alness Old Parish Church (ruin) (ruins)
Stay after this ride
- Black Rock Holiday Park · campsite · 200 m from the finish
- Novar Arms Hotel · hotel · 310 m from the finish
- Kiltearn House · guest house · 1.3 km from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Cornerstone (360 m)
- Shops
- Co-op Food (380 m)
Know before you go
- 19.9 km without café, shop or water between 21.5 km and 41.4 km
- 1.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 22 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or higher
