Summer’s here – let’s get some fresh air!

A Circular route from Oldmeldrum to Keith Hall, Kinkell, Brandsbutt and returning via Daviot.

The route leaves Oldmeldrum down Mill Road before climbing up to the highest point of the route at Bourtie.

We then descend towards Inverurie on quiet roads turning left into Keith Hall estate at the West Lodge Gate. We ride through the estate on good roads and tracks to visit the Cairn which celebrates 1000 years of the Keith Clan – the Earls of Kintore.

Continuing on through the estate we visit the old Monkegy Cemetery hidden away in the trees.

We retrace our route a little and then carry on through the estate on good tracks passing the Ice House by the side of the track and then exiting the estate grounds onto the B993. We head South following the River Don on our right hand side to visit the medieval remains of Kinkell Parish church.

Retracing our route again we travel into Inverurie past the Bass, the site of an ancient Motte and Bailey Castle. Passing over the Don at Port Elphinstone we ride up to the Brandsbutt Symbol Stone an early Pictish stone with carvings dated to around 600 AD.

We leave Inverurie along the B9001 which is a fairly busy road so take care here. After crossing the relief road roundabout we turn back onto quiet roads a towards Lethenty and Daviot and then return to Oldmeldrum via Lochter.

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.