Aberdeen trip

[bladerunner]

Well, I was hardly overwhelmed by replies at first posting - which means either it was in the wrong section, or Scotland has no nice biking roads.

Let me try here! :

Hi

Early July I need to be in Aberdeen so will try to make a pleasant loop trip up from Cardiff and back .

I can make my way happily up Wales and also have an idea of routes through the Lake District.

Beyond that, I should welcome ideas for must ride roads through the boarders and on up. I'll have max 4 days each way and have yet to decide camping or hotels - trouble with camping is it's a lot of stuff in addition to the conference whistle etc.

advice welcome

cheers

 

[Deleted account rno]

There are some great roads in the borders. One suggestion would be:

Come off the A74 at Moffat and take the St Mary's Loch road (A708) and then pick up the A7 to Edinburgh. Cross over into Fife and take the Fife coastal route (A921) via Kirkcaldy, Leven and follow the coast along passing Anstruther, Crail and St Andrews (A917).

From Dundee, take the road to Blairgowrie (via either Alyth or Coupar Angus) and head north to Braemar/Ballater on the superb A93. From Braemar to Aberdeen, you're travelling through Royal Deeside. Auld Queen Vic knew a nice holiday spot when she found one

The Blairgowrie to Ballater leg is one of the best roads in the country.

If you phone ahead to the Bridge of Cally Hotel (a favourite SS haunt) which is 8 miles north of Blairgowrie on the A93, you might get a good deal for accomodation. You might try mentioning UKGSer and say they had been recommended to you by the Xmas party mob). Their meals are first class too.

When heading south, why not do the loop from Aberdeen/Banchory/Fettercairn/Kirriemuir? It goes over the Cairn O' Mount and is a great road too.

 

[Deleted member TF]

The roads around South Western Scotland are ace,not much traffic and, if you can, make Portpatrick your first stop-over. Then,up the East Coast,over the Erskine Bridge,up the A82 to Fort William and then to Inverness. Down to Grantown-on-Spey,over some hills to Ballater then Aberdeen.
If you've got the time, go up to Ullapool and try the A835 to Tore

 

[wully]

From Braemar to Aberdeen, you're travelling through Royal Deeside. Auld Queen Vic knew a nice holiday spot when she found one

Take the south Deeside road once your closer to Furry Boots City -much less traffic and nicer to drive as it misses out some of the suburbs (!) of Aberdeen.

And definitely try to get over the Cairn O' Mount road

 

[bladerunner]

That's more like it, thanks guys!

 

[Kaybe]

Nearer the time. say week before you head up this way, post up again and if available, I would happily meet up and show you the "playground" we have up here. No doubt some others would join in given they are neat roads to run on.

 

[bladerunner]

Cheers

Wilco - look forward to it.

 

[Andy Davies]

BR

Not exactly a direct route, but this one would show you something of the scenery up here (and even includes a ferry ride enroute). The journey north of Oban to Aberdeen is one I do fairly regularly (although not when the is as current)!

Keep us up to date of your plans. There are those in this parish that live not too far off this route.

Andy

 

[skinnersscotch]

I like Ronno's route

Ronno's route is a great suggestion as it gives you lots of different roads and places of interest. Also keeps you away from the boredom of dual carriageways.

 

[DaveGSCymro]

Fly up Scotland's a shit hole

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Got to be A93 from Blairgowrie as far as Ballater then as you come through Ballater keep going over the bridge and turn left onto the B976 (South Deesside Road) to Strachan (pronounced Strawn in case you ask directions). At Strachan turn right onto the B974 to Fettercairn over the Cairn O'Mount. At Fettercairn follow signs for Stonehaven. At Stonehaven join the dual carriageway up to Aberdeen.

Do not, under any circumstances just come up the A90 from Edinburgh.
It's the most boring road in the known universe.