Choose Adventures in Aberdeenshire!

Why not link in a ride to Balmoral Castle and the surrounding area? You never know who you might bump into.

Last year, whilst on a ride in Royal Deeside, McTrail Rider, accompanied by Deviate Cycles Ben Jones, and Louise Haggarty (headinthesky_mtb) bumped into King Charles, walking on the Estate. (See the film below which has now had more than 5 Million views!)

Even if you don't manage to catch a wee chat with HRH, be sure to stop in at the bothies available for shelter and a quick cuppa and plan a route that takes you over the hills to the other side of Cairngorms onwards to Aviemore. The options are literally endless and the scenery and sense of adventure are incredible!

You are of course spoilt for choice with an abundance of mountain biking in the area, and many local guides and coaches to show you around. Some of our favourites locations, guides and rides are featured in our Aberdeenshire Ride Guide.

Whilst there is no denying mountain biking is huge in Aberdeenshire, there are plenty of Road Cycling routes also. Have you completed the Aberdeenshire Ascents route yet? With ten leg burning climbs, it’s a challenge for the strong willed for sure!

You can also choose to arrive in Aberdeen City by train, and then travel west, by foot or bike, into the Cairngorms via the Deeside Way.

The Deeside Way is suitable for walkers and cyclists with many sections suitable for horses as well and is Route 195 of the National Cycle Network which is coordinated and promoted by Sustrans. The route follows the line of the Old Royal Deeside Railway from Aberdeen to Banchory, through woodland and farmland to Kincardine O’Neil and then re-joins the old line from Aboyne to Ballater, a total distance of 41 miles.

If that’s a bit too much to start your adventure, be sure to hit up Bothies and Bannocks who can provide adventure transport for you, your bikes/canoes/SUP boards and can even tailor an adventure package if you really want to relax and take the hassle out of all the planning.

If you need bike demo/hire or mechanics support there are plenty bike shops to help you out; Cycle Highlands (Ballater), Bike Station (Ballater), Bike Bothy Beyond (Tarland), 20twenty (Banchory, Banchory Cycles (Banchory) REMbikes (Banchory), Edinburgh Bicycle cooperative (Aberdeen city), Bike Remedy (Stonehaven).

If being by the coast is more your thing, why don’t you head on down to Stonehaven area where you can take in Cove Climbing or try your hand SUP boarding or Surfing by the sea. There are plenty of breath-taking walks here too, where you can catch one of Scotland's hidden gems, Dunnottar Castle.

Perched atop a 160 foot rock and surrounded on three sides by the North Sea, these dramatic and evocative cliff-top ruins were once an impregnable fortress of the Earls Marischal, once one of the most powerful families in Scotland.

Steeped in history, this romantic and haunting ruin is a photographer’s paradise, a history lover’s dream and an iconic tourist destination for visitors the world over, and if you time it right, Puffins can be seen on the cliffs.

What about a visit to Knockburn Loch to test your wild swimming, kayak, canoe or SUP skills on their loch.

Deeside Activity park offers a range of outdoors experiences from Go-karts and Quad biking to a beginner friendly skills and coaching area for mountain biking, with Ride in Peace Adventures.

Head into Aberdeen City to Transition Extreme where you can spin round their pump track, test out your climbing skills on their climbing and bouldering walls, or jump on a board in their indoor skate park.

And lets not forget the winter brings its own delights.

Royal Deeside, where Aberdeenshire meets the Cairngorms National Park, is a hot spot for winter sports enthusiasts.

Each year, thousands head to the imposing mountains to experience skiing and snowboarding at the two purpose built ski centres. The Lecht 2090, found at 2090 feet above sea level has 12 lifts and all equipment and clothing can be hired on the day so there’s no excuse not to visit!

Glenshee has the UK’s largest lift system home to 22 lifts and its 36 runs extend over three valleys and four mountains. The centre also has its own snowsport school, making it suitable for beginners through to advanced skiers/snowboarders.

And if you want to stay in the city, not to worry, you can also perfect your ski and snowboarding technique at the city’s very own dry-ski slope. As well as the basics you can also learn freestyle, racing and adaptive skills too.

Where is adventure without refreshments and rewards right?

From Shorty’s Ice-cream and The Balmoral Bar in Ballater, to Spider on a bike, The Black Faced Sheep and The Boat in Aboyne, to the most epic Sunday Roast at the Grant Arms (Pitfichie).

Not forgetting some amazing Seafood in Stonehaven from The Seafood Bothy or try out the home of Scotland's deep fried mars bar, The Carron.

Or celebrate the best of North East of Scotland's food and drink at source and visit when the Provenance Festival 2024 taking place from Saturday 21st September to Sunday 29th September. So many incredible events happening right across the region.

For more ideas and places to eat check out Visit Aberdeen or The Foodie Quine, you will sure to leave Aberdeenshire with a smile, and a deep sense of satisfaction!

After our successful MTB focused project running from 2018-2020 we were delighted to extend our work in Aberdeenshire through the development of a new project – North East Adventure Tourism (NEAT).

This exciting project aims to increase the value of adventure tourism in the region broadening staff roles to become increasingly involved in the wider adventure tourism sector.

Support comes from a variety of organisations with expertise across multiple sectors: Opportunity North East, Scottish Enterprise, Aberdeenshire Council, Scottish Cycling and VisitAberdeenshire.

Mountain biking continues to be a key activity in for the project alongside other key outdoor activities including Snow Sports, Water Sports and Hiking.

Check out the NEAT website for more information and this handy Map here and watch our short film which describes why the initial MTB project was so successful and led to the development of NEAT and the continued funding and support from multiple agencies.