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

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.

Click here to Download GPX

A linear route from Meldrum to Ellon with significant off road sections.

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.
Turn right in Tarves Square and proceed down past the Aberdeen Arms hotel to leave the village heading south on the old Aberdeen Turnpike Road. This gravel and grassy track leads along the ridge line to Raitshill where it rejoins the tarmac road. There are great views over open countryside to Bennachie and beyond. (This section includes a short steep hill with an uneven surface which may be walked if necessary. The grassy sections are a little uneven and may be slippery in wet weather)

From Raitshill follow the tarmac road for 500m and then turn left at Dalchon onto the Fisher Walk path. Follow this gravel and grass path straight down to the National Trust property at Pitmedden Gardens. Well worth a stop here and perhaps a coffee.

Leaving Pitmedden Gardens on a gravel track, head into Pitmedden. Cafe 48, on your left, has great coffee and also a bike repair stand and pump. Turn right at the T junction in the village centre and use the mixed use path heading south to arrive at the Coffee Apothecary, another great coffee stop. Turn left here and head uphill to quickly join the new link path at Cloisterseat leading off on your right. This new gravel path leads southwest through open countryside and again links with a quiet public road leading to Orchardstown. Turn left here and then join the Formartine and Buchan Way which heads north along the old railway line towards Ellon.

Leave the F&B way immediately after you cross the A920 and make your way through the housing estate to the riverside path. (This section avoids a steep staircase down from the old railway embankment). Cross the river to the northern bank at the footbridge and continue along the path to reach the Coffee Lab cafe where this route ends and your last coffee awaits!

This route is 25 km with significant off-road sections.
Some sections may not be suitable following wet weather.
Chunky tyres will be an advantage on the grassy sections.

Click here to Download GPX