This summer, adventurers Manu and Katrien set out with their two sons, Aske (7) and Wietse (6), on a three-week bikepacking trip across the Scottish Highlands. Their journey—linking sections of the Highland Trail 550, GB Duro, and the West Highland Way—is now the subject of a new film that showcases not just the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland, but the unique possibilities of family travel by cargo bike.

Choosing the Omnium Cargo

For this ambitious journey, the family relied on the Omnium Cargo V3, a bike known for its stability, flexibility, and off-road capabilities. “Omnium makes the coolest and best-looking cargo bikes out there,” says Katrien . Inspired by seeing riders like Allan Shaw at the Silk Road Mountain Race, they trusted the bike could handle the loads of children, bikes, and camping gear needed for four people.

The family customized the bike for comfort and practicality: a backrest and cushions for the kids, a safe footrest, and even waterproof ponchos fixed to the bike to keep them warm and dry. “Our favorite part was the custom ‘Nessie’ stem caps. We themed the trip ‘Finding Nessie’ to spark the kids’ imagination, and those caps are now a special memory of the adventure.”

Handling was another pleasant surprise. “The Omnium Cargo V3 feels very stable yet responsive, even on rough singletrack. It really gave us the freedom and flexibility we were looking for,” Manu added. The only lesson learned: protect against frame rubbing when attaching children’s bikes, after one tire was worn through by vibrations.

Kids in the Wild

For Aske and Wietse, the adventure was more than a holiday—it was playtime on a grand scale. From searching for the Loch Ness Monster to hiking six hours through wetlands when the family rerouted onto a tougher trail, the boys embraced every challenge.

“They adapted incredibly well. Even in the rain, they didn’t complain. On the final day, when we had to push up a steep section, they insisted on doing it themselves, proud to reach the top under their own power,” Katrien shared. Bothies along the route became highlights too: “Sitting by the fire, drying socks, and playing Uno—it’s those little moments they’ll remember.”

But if you ask the boys their favorite day? It was the Fort William Bike Park, where they discovered a love for singletrack—especially downhill.

The Rewards of Family Bikepacking

The film captures more than just landscapes of misty mountains, roaring rivers, and quiet lochs, but also the resilience and joy of a family tackling them together. “This trip taught us that anything is possible, even with kids. Scotland is not the easiest destination: rain, midges, steep climbs. But our kids were so strong, resilient, and optimistic. We conquered every challenge together, and that creates such a strong bond,” said Katrien.

Looking back, the family wouldn’t change a thing. “With the right gear and mindset, you can go far. Bikepacking with kids is for everyone—you can make it as adventurous as you want. The reward is big.”