Cycling in Scotland for all ages

Follow this easy ride along the Deeside Way and through the grounds of Crathes Castle and enjoy Aberdeenshire’s colourful countryside. The route takes in some great visitor attractions and eateries along the way. Follow the banks of the River Dee on a mixture of flat cycle path and lightly trafficked estate roads. A tour of Crathes Castle is highly recommended, before returning to Banchory.

Start/finish: Banchory

Public transport accessible: No

Grade: easy

Distance/time: 7 miles/1 – 2 hours

Terrain: A mix of cycle path and estate roads. Caution required on one main road crossing.

Places of interest: See our Banchory Visitor Guide.

Where to eat: The Courtyard Café at Crathes Castle, Ride Coffee House in Banchory and Milton Brasserie near Banchory.

This route starts in Old Blair, to the north of the pretty village of Blair Atholl, before heading through the grounds of Blair Castle and on to the lovely Falls of Bruar. Blair Atholl is easily accessed by rail, and bikes can be hired at Blair Atholl Bike Hire if you prefer to hire one when you’re here. It's well worth taking a tour of the castle and walking a circular route of the cascading Falls as part of this day trip and Killiecrankie Visitor Centre is only a 3-mile, 15-minute cycle from Blair Atholl, along the B8079.

Start/finish: Old Blair, Blair Atholl

Public transport accessible: Yes, railway station at Blair Atholl.

Grade: easy

Distance/time: 8 miles/2 hours

Terrain: Mix of traffic-free estate roads and tracks. One short 1-mile on-road section.

Places of interest: See our Blair Atholl Visitor Guide.

Where to eat: Loft Restaurant, Food in the Park, House of Bruar and Tullibardine Restaurant at Blair Castle.

Take an easy gravel ride through this stunning part of Scotland, to one of our most dramatic and iconic castles, set splendidly on the shores of Loch Awe. This route takes in some of the outstanding Caledonia Way and is easily accessed from Dalmally Station via ScotRail Highland Explorer services from Glasgow Queen Street. St Conan’s Kirk is a short diversion off this route via the A85 road and well worth a visit.

Start/finish: Dalmally

Public transport accessible: Yes, ScotRail Highland Explorer bike carriages run regularly.

Distance/time: 9 miles/2 hours

Grade: moderate

Terrain: Mix of quiet roads, paths, forest tracks with short sections on a busy road.

Places of interest: See our Loch Awe Visitor Guide.

Where to eat: Ben Cruachan Inn in Lochawe and Glenview Store in Dalmally for snacks and drinks.

This quiet loop takes cyclists through the lovely rolling countryside of the Scottish Borders, with views of the River Ettrick and the pretty town of Selkirk. A short detour along National Cycle Route 1 will take you to Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, which is well worth a visit and only 5 miles from the Selkirk start point of this day trip. Another detour takes you the beautiful Lindean Loch.

Start/finish: Selkirk

Public transport accessible: No, though an extended route could start from Tweedbank Station and follow National Cycle Route 1 or the B6360 and connect with this route. There are regular rail services between Edinburgh and Tweedbank.

Distance/time: 9 miles/1.5 - 2 hours

Terrain: Paved cycle paths and roads with mainly light traffic. Mostly flat with some gradual climbs.

Grade: easy

Places of interest: See our Selkirk Visitor Guide.

Where to eat: The Waterwheel East Lodge, Three Hills Coffee Co Ltd and The County Hotel.

From the regal ruins of Linlithgow Palace to the formidable stronghold of Blackness Castle, this route is steeped in history. The pretty town of Linlithgow offers a number of colourful cafés and bike hire is also available here. The route takes riders along the Union Canal (National Cycle Route 754) and quiet, lightly-trafficked minor roads to Blackness village, for dramatic views of Blackness Castle, and the historic Forth Bridges beyond.

Start/finish: Linlithgow

Public transport accessible: Yes, regular rail services from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Linlithgow.

Distance/time: 10 miles/2 hours

Terrain: A mix of canal towpaths, quiet country roads, some short sections of busy road and some gradual climbs.

Grade: moderate

Places of interest: See our Linlithgow Visitor Guide.

Where to eat: The Lobster Pot in Blackness, Mannerstons by House of Binns and The Coffee Neuk and Mason Belles Kitchen in Linlithgow.