Cafe Ride No 6 – Oldmeldrum – Keith Hall – Kinkell – Brandsbutt

A circular route from Oldmeldrum to Udny and Pitmedden with the section between Oldmeldrum and Tarves out and back.

The route heads from Oldmeldrum to Tarves and joins the old Abedeen Turnpike road towards Pitmedden. We made a detour down to Tolquhoun Castle before rejoining the Turnpike to pass Reivesly and cross the A920 heading for Udny Green.

From Udny Green we followed National Cycle Route 1 south for just over 2 km before turning left to use a short section of the B999 and then turn east up to Udny Station. Crossing the bridge over the Formartine & Buchan Way, we will visit this bridge again soon. Almost through the village we turned right onto Duncan Terrace to discover a lovely grassy track past some little lochans and reed beds. (Not suitable in wet conditions but ok if dry)

The track around the ponds soon joins the Formartine & Buchan Way and we turn right to travel north for around a 2 km. Leave the F&B way heading through a wooden gate and cross the road to take the minor road heading NW. We join the new path to Pitmedden and call in at the Apothecary for some excellent coffee & cake. Suitably refreshed we continue west to Udny Green and visit the graveyard with its unusual Mort House.

From Udny Green we proceed west through farmland and then turn north at the Tee junction to carefully cross the fast running A920 again at Cairnbrogie crossroads. Once safely across we proceed ahead to return to Tarves and then retrace our route east back to Oldmeldrum.

A circular route taking in some interesting prehistoric sites and, of course, a fantastic cafe.

The route leaves Oldmeldrum along the A920 Colpy road, turn towards Lochter Activity Centre (Cafe) and then head to Daviot to visit the Loanhead of Daviot Stone Circle.

Leave Daviot heading south west and continue on quiet roads to Whiteford and cross the A96 at Pitcaple. There’s a steady climb up to Chapel of Garioch where you can take a break at the Old Post Office cafe. A few hundred metres further to the west you will find the Maiden Stone, a Pictish standing stone by the roadside. You can also explore a little further west to find a striking statue of Persephone surrounded by woodland.

Retuning again to Chapel of Garioch carry on south east and downhill to pass by the ruins of the Castle of Balquhain, turn right here and head towards Inverurie on quiet roads. At Polinar Dam turn left to cross the A96 again at the Upperboat bridge. Pass along St James Place and turn right at the traffic lights to head to KeithHall. The entrance to the core path is just beyond the gatehouse. This is a gravel track that curves around the estate. Don’t ride up the drive towards the main house.

Ride through the estate on the private road which is also a core path. Leave KeithHall via the western gatehouse and turn right to climb towards Bourtie passing Lofthillock farm on your right. There are stunning views from this road looking south and west. Near the summit you will pass yet another stone circle before beginning the final run back down to Oldmeldrum.

A linear, out and back, route to Haddo with some interesting diversions

Leave Oldmeldrum via Kirk Brae past the golf course and head to Tarves via Craigdam on quiet roads. Maybe stop for a coffee at The Murly Tuck cafe in the square.

In Tarves take some time to explore the old churchyard just off the square. The Tolquhon Tomb was constructed for Sir William Forbes, laird of the newly-built Tolquhon Castle, in 1589.

Leave Tarves via the recently created grass and gravel paths that circle round the back of the church and other buildings and join up with the B999 heading east towards Pitmedden. Follow the road east and then southeast passing the turn for Haddo on your left and taking the second left minor road to head up to the Prop of Ysthie carpark. You can leave the bike in the carpark and follow the signed paths up to the Prop itself on foot. The Prop of Ysthie is an Impressive stone tower, built in 1861/62 as a monument to the Prime Minister, George Hamilton-Gordon, fourth Earl of Aberdeen. The tower dominates the landscape and provides fantastic 360 degree views from the top.

Back on the bike, continue east and uphill for a few hundred metres and then take the first farm track to your right. Don’t worry, you are allowed to exercise responsible access on tracks like this. Follow the gravel track for a short distance before veering left, still on a rough track, to discover the very neat South Ysthie stone circle on a slightly elevated position amongst the arable fields. Some folk make a point of touching every stone before leaving.

Now retrace your tracks back towards Tarves but turn right at Bridgefoot Croft to head up to Haddo. Here you will find cafes, toilets and, of course, Haddo House itself. This Palladian mansion, designed by George Adam, stands in the midst of a beautiful estate, gardens and designed landscape. The house was the seat of the Gordons, the Earls of Aberdeen and is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.

From Haddo House, leave the estate via the home farm and estate offices to rejoin the public road at the Bridge of Thornroan. Turn left and follow the roadside path, crossing the public road and returning to Tarves along the track past Little Raxton, turn left upon reaching the burn following the uneven, grassy track and emerging back up into the village beside the church. From Tarves return to Oldmeldrum via Craigdam and Oldmeldrum golf course.

This route is 30 km with several off-road sections.
Some grassy sections may not be suitable following wet weather but can be avoided.
Chunky tyres will be an advantage on the grassy sections.

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