August, 2021 - Northern Highlights Pass

North East Scotland Outdoor Adventures on a Mountain Bike or Road Cycle

Cycling has long been a popular sport and leisure activity. But did you know that as a sport it officially began on May 31, 1868, with a 1,200-metre (1,312-yard) race between the fountains and the entrance of Saint-Cloud Park (near Paris). The winner was James Moore, an 18-year-old expatriate Englishman from Paris.

The North East of Scotland could easily be described as an outdoor adventure playground due to the number of outdoor activities you can do, should you wish too.

Take you pick from skiing, hiking, snowboarding, mountain-climbing,
gliding, mountain-biking, fishing, golfing, gorge walking, off road driving, kayaking, kiteboarding, white water rafting, surfing, boating, riding, ziplining and the list goes on and on…

Cycling is a very popular past time and growing sport in the area. The region offers many opportunities for enjoying the great outdoors, from simple easy routes for families to thrill seeking and the adrenaline rush if that’s what you are looking for.

2021 Tour of Britain Sunday 12th September

The Tour of Britain, the UK’s most prestigious cycle race, takes place between Sunday 5 – 12 September 2021 and will be the 17th edition of the UK’s biggest bike race,
From Penzance to Aberdeen, over an eight-day route that measures 1320 kilometres and features nearly 20,000m of climbing!

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will host the final stage of the 2021 Tour of Britain on Sunday 12 September, marking the furthest north the race has ever visited.

Stage Eight of the competition will be Stonehaven to Aberdeen. Starting in Stonehaven, the race will take in the Cairn O Mount and Queens View, which should prove to be both a scenic and challenging route. The tour will culminate in a grand finish in the city of Aberdeen, as the overall winner is crowned in this historic city centre.

Which Cycling Trail Will You Choose in North East Scotland?

Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire

The Deeside Way route follows the line of the Old Royal Deeside Railway from Aberdeen to Ballater, total distance 41 miles. Most of the route is off road with gradual gradients making for easy going particularly suitable for family cycling although there are some short steeper sections giving more of a challenge.

The Formartine and Buchan Way is a safe, long distance shared cycle path suitable for cyclists of all ability. It starts at Dyce Railway station, and continues for 25 miles through Aberdeenshire to Maud where it divides. North – 15 miles goes to Fraserburgh, whilst East – 13 miles takes you to Peterhead. The cycle route is entirely off road, and is built on the former Formartine and Buchan railway route. The Buchan Way, as it is commonly known, takes you past many places of local historical interest and make ideal rest stops.

Moray and Speyside

With many miles of quiet country roads and paths and trails, Moray offers tailor-made routes for cyclists of all ages and abilities. The Speyside Way long distance footpath has some section that can be cycled, but throughout Moray there are ample opportunities for people to get out and about on their bikes. A number of trails have also been created for mountain biking enthusiasts. Check out the following Bike Glenlivet and Moray Monster Trails For further details of paths and trail read more HERE

Cairngorms National Park

Cycling and biking in and around the Cairngorms National Park is one of the best ways to explore and discover the sights, nature and wildlife in the Park. With something for everyone from gentle family rides to testing mountain trails. It has a wealth of paths and trails and has four mountain bike centres Glenlivet, Laggan, the Lecht, and Tarland. Why not explore with Ride in Peace Adventures

Angus

Has many popular cycle routes which allows you to experience the heart of Angus on two wheels. Follow the cycling and mountain bike trails through Angus, taking in the panoramic views and scenery which stretch for miles. The routes also highlight places to stop for a well earned rest and affa fine piece! Learn more HERE

Northern Perthshire

Cycling combines physical exercise with being outdoors & exploring new views around local estates such as Atholl Estate With dozens of waymarked walks & paths to suit everyone. Over 90 routes to choose from so if you want some inspiration whilst visiting then check out more trails HERE

Other Useful Info :

Ballater Crathie Mountain Bike Festival 2022 dates TBA

Off-Road Cycling: good practice advice read more HERE

Find a route on the National Cycle Network HERE

The Northern HighLights Pass helps you to create a bespoke itinerary for your short break or longer Scottish holiday in the North East of Scotland. Purchasing a Northern HighLights Pass enables you to plan ahead, know before you go, plus, there are big savings to be had on entrance fees to the many excellent visitor attractions across the region. Visit the best for less!

Your Northern Highlights Pass is available as a digital pass and can be easily downloaded straight onto your smart phone. Alternatively, you can purchase a hard copy pass and this will be mailed out to you

Please remember to follow...

So if you are interested to know more, remember to follow us on the Northern Highlights Pass social channels and also sign up to the “North East Blether” if you have not already done so.

Ready to start exploring? Northern Highlights visitors pass enables you to visit the best – for less. Buy your pass and start your adventure!

So whatever you choose to do in the next few weeks and months please do remember to stay safe and continue to follow the Guidance To Protect The Environment, yourself and all our local communities.

#RespectProtectEnjoy #RediscoverAbdn #MajesticABDN

Feel the energy and see the bright lights of Aberdeen City!

Aberdeen City is an ideal choice for a city break by the beach! Combining culture, heritage and sightseeing with vast open spaces and spectacular sea views.

Avoiding the crowds of Glasgow and Edinburgh, Aberdeen is a small, friendly, cosmopolitan city packed with attractions, culture and tourist spots. Architecturally distinctive, Aberdeen’s steadfast grey granite buildings and monuments sparkle beautifully with a silvery shimmer when caught in the light.

Affectionately known as the “Granite City” or “Silver City” due to the famous granite stone that was used to build the city. The history of this is can be found in its Granite Trail. Aberdeen itself is a Scottish hidden gem right at the heart of the North East of Scotland.

Aberdeen has a lot to offer, from budget to luxury tastes and everything in between.

Getting around Aberdeen is very easy, despite it being Scotland’s third largest city. Aberdeen is compact and everywhere is within easy reach on foot.

World class visitor attractions, a bustling city centre, two Old Town quarters, a fascinating maritime history, green spaces and of course a beautiful sandy beach! Choose Aberdeen for a fun day trip or sophisticated city break.

There aren’t many cities in the UK where you can surf or paddle board in the morning (thick wet-suit required) and take in a matinee in the afternoon at the historic His Majesty’s Theatre Or you can go dolphin spotting followed by some retail therapy and dinner in the best restaurants Scotland has to offer.

With a rich maritime history, many outdoor spaces, vibrant culture and friendly welcoming locals, Aberdeen makes for an authentic Scottish city break or staycation.

Visiting Aberdeen - What will you choose first?

Aberdeen Beach Did you know that Aberdeen has a beautiful long sandy beach!? Popular with locals and visitors alike, choose to walk along the promenade or along the sand and have a wee paddle if you are brave enough. Soak up the stunning sea views while you watch the ships come in an out of the harbour. Perfect for a sunny day or a bracing walk full of fresh air straight off the North Sea. Aberdeen beach is a short walk from the city centre, and has numerous cafes and places to stop for a bite to eat.

Aberdeen Harbour Aberdeen harbour is the long-standing industrious heart of the city. At 900 years old, Aberdeen Harbour is the oldest existing business in the UK. Key to Aberdeen’s economic success, industries such as fishing, shipbuilding, textiles and the global transportation of stone from the city’s famous quarries have all relied on the facilities of this essential North Sea gateway. More recently, Aberdeen Harbour supports offshore energy and the oil and gas industry that Aberdeen is famous for.

Submerge yourself at Aberdeen Maritime Museum Easily reached from Union Street, the award-winning Aberdeen Maritime Museum tells the Maritime Story of the city’s long relationship with the sea and how it owes its economic success to various industries over the years. The Maritime Museum holds a unique collection covering shipbuilding, fast sailing ships, fishing and port history. It is also the only museum in the UK that has exhibits documenting the North Sea oil and gas industry. Aberdeen Maritime Museum is set over three floors with a cafe in the basement and offers visitors a spectacular viewpoint over the busy harbour.

Take a wander around Old Town Aberdeen Step back in time and explore the Old Aberdeen Trail on foot. With cobbled streets, quaint houses and a friendly student vibe, Old Aberdeen is where Aberdeen’s first university was founded in 1495. This ancient heart of the university is known as the King’s College quadrangle. Here you will find the stunning Kings College Chapel with its iconic Crown Tower and nearby, the Powis Gates. Both are unique monuments and prominent landmarks of Aberdeen City. These immaculately preserved Gothic buildings date from 1546.The Powis Gates comprises two distinctive ‘minaret’ towers that once served as the grand entrance to Powis House. The 11 acre Cruickshank Botanic Garden is a sanctuary for nature lovers. There is an arboretum, a sunken garden and rock and water garden, a perfect place for a moment of peace if you need it. A ten minute walk will take you to the historically significant St Machar’s cathedral. The oldest building that is in active use in Aberdeen. Next door is Seaton Park, a popular green space that stretches from the Cathedral to the river Don. Get away from the hustle and bustle and take time to enjoy the beautiful gardens and riverside walk. You might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a red squirrel, one of the UK’s rarest species.

Arty Aberdeen – Aberdeen ranks highly with art-lovers as an arty city break destination. Its informal street art scene includes a Painted Door initiative and NUART street festival. NUART has brought acclaimed artists from across the world to create murals and installations across the silver city. Walking tours of the NUART street art are available and are a great way of getting lots of insider knowledge. As an annual festival, new murals are added each year. Who knows…maybe Banksy will be tempted? What a great reason to keep coming back!

Torry Battery in Aberdeen is a a fantastic place to spot bottlenose dolphins from the shore at any time of the year. Make your way to Torry Battery car park, off Greyhope Road, Aberdeen. The RSPB Dolphin Watch team are on hand at Torry Battery at certain times during the week (please check ahead).

Footdee (pronounced Fittie in North East Scots language) is an historic former fishing village at the east end of Aberdeen Harbour that provides a glimpse into a bygone era. Extremely photogenic, Footdee/Fittie is a quaint, quirky and colourful corner of Aberdeen that’s simply not to be missed. There is nowhere else quite like it! Although strong links to its fishing village heritage remain, Footdee/Fittie is now a colourful oasis in the Granite city. It is a vibrant old quarter with an eclectic mix of traditional Fishermans cottages and brightly painted ramshackle outhouses. It has a photogenic and artistic character all of its own. Combine a visit to Footdee with a leisurely stroll along the city’s sandy beach.

Must-See

There’s a real buzz this summer surrounding Aberdeen city attractions as they open their doors once again to welcome the visitors back. Highlighting just a couple there’s the refurbished 5 star visitor attraction, The Gordon Highlanders Museum with its new exhibits and rooms were you can retrace the remarkable history of these famous fighting men of the North East. Then why not step outside into the tranquility of their walled garden for afternoon tea with homemade treats, what’s not to love!

Heading for a free rainy day activity for all the family then the newly refurbished & interactive Aberdeen Art Gallery makes a perfect visit. Now housing three times more artwork than it used to, you can see works by Scottish artists such as Henry Raeburn and James Cromar Watt. An internationally important collection, Aberdeen Art Gallery also holds works by Claude Monet, Tracey Emin, Barbara Hepworth and Francis Bacon. As well as outstanding art collections, the Aberdeen Art Gallery also offers a sensational view of the city from the roof top cafe/bar and roof terrace. If you are a Gin fan then it makes a great place to sit, relax with a popular local Porters Gin.

Getting to Aberdeen

Experience the bright lights of the silver city with ease as there are great transport links to Aberdeen from all over the world. Aberdeen is 2.5 hours drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh. Aberdeen has an international airport just 6 miles out of the city centre with car hire outlets right by the entrance.There are excellent rail links into the city. It is a 1hr express train journey from Glasgow and Edinburgh. There is also the Caledonian Sleeper overnight service from London to Aberdeen. Aberdeen is well serviced by train from all over the UK. Electric vehicle charging points can be found on zapmap.com.

Please remember to follow...

So if you are interested to know more, remember to follow us on the Northern Highlights Pass social channels and also sign up to the “North East Blether” if you have not already done so.

Ready to start exploring? Northern Highlights visitors pass enables you to visit the best – for less. Buy your pass and start your adventure!

#RespectProtectEnjoy #RediscoverAbdn #MajesticABDN