Easy Cafe Ride No 2 – Oldmeldrum – Ellon

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.

Click here to Download GPX

An easy ride on one of our ebikes.
Visiting Tarves, Den Wood and Meldrum House with an optional extension to Haddo.

Head out of Oldmeldrum up Kirk Brae and continue on past the golf course.
After the bends at Reivesly take the right turn and then carry straight on following the farm track towards East Cattie.
Continue left to return to the public road and turn right at the T junction towards Craigdam.
Carry straight on up the hill (remember you’ve got a battery!) and down into Tarves to find the Murly Tuck cafe in the main square.

Suitably refreshed and back on your bike, retrace your route to the crossroads at the eastern end of the village
Turn south and then after just 200m turn left towards Tillycairn crossroads. Go straight over this across the B9170 and continue for 2km before turning left towards Old Balgove. There’s a bit of a climb up to the high point at Nether Tulloch and again up to Den Wood.
The footpaths in Den wood are well worth exploring on foot. Remember to lock your bike up safely.
From Den Wood continue on towards the A947 but turn left into Meldrum House Estate passing through the pedestrian gate to the left of the vehicle entrance. Follow the estate road down towards the hotel and then bear right to leave the estate grounds onto the B9170 at the golf club exit. The Meldrum House hotel is another great coffee stop on this route although you may need to book.
Take care cycling down the short distance on the B9170 to the roundabout at the edge of the town and make your way back to the start on local streets.

From Tarves it is easy to extend this ride to include Haddo House where you will find two more coffee opportunities!

Click here to Download GPX

We have good Ebike availability for the period beginning Friday 28th March. Why not hire a bike for the holidays and keep up with the kids (or your lycra clad partner – they hate it when you pedal past on the hills!!)

• Hardtail Mountain ebikes (Suitable for both road and easy trail use)
• Hybrid ebikes (for road and gravel.)
• City style Merida ebikes (Suitable for road and some very mild trail use)

Visit https://ebike.oldmeldrum.org/hire-a-bike/ to hire your ebike.

Just £25 for a full 7 days.
or £5/day (Min 3 days)