Starting from the Fife Arms Hotel on Mar Road in the centre of Braemar Village cycle to your right along Mar Road, away from the A93. After 200 yards you come to a small roundabout. At the roundabout TAKE THE SECOND EXIT on to Linn of Dee Road and cycle out of Braemar with The River Dee on your right hand side as you cycle along this beautiful river.

Continue to cycle along the road and after about 3 miles you pass Victoria Bridge over the river (which is an alternative shorter route). Continue along Linn of Dee Road past Victoria Bridge and about half a mile you come to the small hamlet of Inverey. Continue along straight through Inverey and after 1 mile you come to Muir where the road bends to the right and takes you over the stone bridge on The Linn of Dee.

When you reach the other side of the river FOLLOW THE ROAD ROUND TO THE RIGHT keeping to the Linn of Dee Cycle Route which takes you back towards Braemar on the other side of the River Dee. After about three quarters of a mile you come to the small hamlet of Claybokie. Cycle straight through Claybokie. (Note: - if you wish just after Claybokie you can turn right down the lane to Mar Lodge and Victoria Bridge).

Continue past Mar Lodge after about 1 mile you come to a wooden bridge and a small car park at The Linn of Quoich. The Linn of Quoich, is a waterfall through the narrow ravine, where the bridge passes over. Near the bridge is the Earl of Mar's Punch Bowl - a natural hole in a rock midstream that was literally used as a punchbowl at the end of hunting deer in the neighboring forest. It is at this point that the tarmac road ends and you continue northwards along the state road past some old farm buildings. Continue to cycle along the estate road and when you enter the dense pine woods follow the signs for green Scottish rights of way cycle signs which eventually takes you past Invercauld House and round the river down to a ‘T’ junction with the A93, which is about three and a half miles from where you joined the estate road.

At the junction TURN RIGHT along the A93 (sign posted The Linn of Dee Cycle Route) in the direction of Braemar. After about one and a half miles you pass Braemar Castle on the right as you approach Braemar and 300 yards after the castle you TURN RIGHT on to Invercauld Road which takes you in to the centre of the village and back to The Fife Arms Hotel. The start/finish of your cycle ride.

At a T-junction turn right, then left at the A966 and then immediately right – in the direction of the signed National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 1. The road climbs steeply for 2 miles to the hamlet of Gorseness then just before you start the descent you will see Rendall Dovecot, a round tower located next to a farm beside the sea. (To visit go down a very steep, if short, road on the right, as signed). Continue on the coast road past the ferry terminal at Tingwall to reach a T-junction with the A966 at Woodwick. Turn right and proceed for only about a mile before turning right signed to the Broch of Gurness. You will wonder where the Broch’s gone – but just keep looking out for the Saltire flag and you will soon reach it round the corners! After visiting the Broch retrace your route for about 600 yards then turn right down a track (easy to cycle), keeping the Sands of Evie to your right. The track turns into a road at the car park and returns you to the A966 – and NCN Route 1.

Turn right and prepare for a long haul to Birsay. The Loch of Swannay provides a highlight. Go over the crossroads with the A967 and, at the shore, turn right to reach the Brough of Birsay. You will have spotted it earlier – looking like a pie with its lighthouse reminiscent of a blackbird sticking out the top. You get a great view of the Brough from the car park – and can leave the bike to cross to the island on foot if the tide is out. Return the way you came again passing the ruins of the Earl’s Palace which is also well worth a visit. Continue ahead into the village, passing over a bridge.

Just past the Birsay Tea Rooms and where the tarmac road ends continue along a track for 500 yards and then turn right at the junction with the B9056. Soon, to your right, you will see in the distance the chess piece-like Kitchener Memorial which can be reached by diverting as signed.

At the crossroads at Quoyloo turn right to reach Skara Brae which has bike racks. Leave Skara Brae turning right back onto the B9056 and along the banks of the Loch of Skaill. Turn left at the junction with the B9055 then, at the A967 turn right and immediately left to continue ahead on the B9055. The best section of the day comes next – an effortless cruise with lots of freewheeling along the increasingly narrow neck of land which separates the Lochs of Stenness and Harray.

Pause for the Ring of Brodgar then pass over the Ness of Brodgar to check out the Stones of Stenness. At a major crossroads turn left onto the A965 and continue for a mile to visit Maeshowe. (To be sure of gaining admission you must book one of the hourly tours in advance by calling 01856 761606). From Maeshowe rejoin NCN 1 for a short while and continue east along the A965 back to Finstown.

]]> 2011-01-13 T;14:16:00+00:00 http://www.routes2ride.org.uk/routes2ride/aviemore_boat_of_garten/ Begin just north of the railway station in Aviemore. Take the subway under the railway line and join a shared-use path, which takes you all the way to the village of Boat of Garten. You will see wildlife, heather covered moorland, spectacular mountain ranges and possibly passing steam trains. The village of Boat of Garten is known as the ‘Osprey Village’. You start and finish at either end of the Strathspey Railway, you can return by steam train if your legs are too tired (summer only). Begin your ride just north of the railway station in Aviemore - take the subway under the railway line and turn left onto National Route 7. Follow a quiet road for a bit and then wind your way through a residential estate, before joining a shared-use path for walkers and cyclists, which takes you all the way to the village of Boat of Garten.

This journey offers excellent wildlife spotting opportunities as you cross heather covered moorland, surrounded by spectacular mountain ranges and dense forests. You may also see and hear the occasional passing steam train on the Strathspey Railway. The village of Boat of Garten is known as the ‘Osprey Village’, as, after the species had been driven to near extinction, a pair of Ospreys reappeared at Loch Garten in the 1950s.

When you come into the village, keep cycling to the north side and you will see a sign for the RSPB reserve at Milton Loch, where you can get up close and learn more about these majestic birds of prey which migrate here to breed every year. Since you start and finish at either end of the Strathspey Steam Railway, you can return with your bike by steam train if your legs are too tired. Alternatively, you can make it a circular route by returning on the on-road section of National Route 7 on the B970 (9miles).

2. After approximately 0.75 miles you will reach the A932. Turn left and then first right just before Balgavies Loch. Follow this road, which rises steeply, at first, then more gently, until you reach Aberlemno. Look out for the cross slab stone in the churchyard. (5.5 miles)

3. Turn right on to the B9134 and after 0.50 miles, just past the three Aberlemno Pictish stones, turn left. Follow this road to Netherton. (8.3 miles)

4. Turn right on to the B9134, climbing for 0.25 miles turn left towards Mains of Melgund and on to a T junction. (10.40 miles)

5. Turn left and follow this road in a north easterly direction, with the Montreathmont Forest on your right. After 0.5 miles turn right. This is an unmarked road beside two houses. Continue to the next junction. (12 miles)

6. Turn right and continue to the crossroads of the B9113. (14.60 miles)

7. Cross over and cycle towards Mildens taking the 2nd road on left, which leads into this hamlet. Continue to the junction of the A932. (16 miles)

8. Turn right and almost immediately left on the road which leads uphill and then past Trumperton Forge. Shortly after Trumperton the road goes downhill to-wards the village. Take the first turning on the right, which leads towards the square. (18 miles)

2. Continue in a north easterly direction past the Memus turn off (4.00 miles).

3. Just past Wellford at a triangular junction the route bends to the right. GR 447495 (8.00 miles)

4. Continue in the direction of Careston ignoring the signs to Fern.

5. After about 1.5 miles Careston is signed, but you need to continue past the school on your left to the junc-tion (at GR 539604)where you take a left. (11.20 miles) This is signed to Men-muir 3 and Lethnot.

6. The road passes Lochty Farm and the Cruick water. At the T’junction turn left for Noranside. (14.20 miles)

7. Carry on through the village of Fern (GR 484617) towards Noranside. (17.50 miles)

8. Past Noranside the road bends sharply to the right and is signed 8 miles to Kirriemuir. (11.50 miles) N.B. some of the official road signs are a bit confusing and a further sign, one mile on indicated Kirriemuir as being still 8 miles.

9. At the Memus Hotel (Drover’s Inn) turn left. (14.50 miles)

10. Continue to the main road and turn right towards Kirriemuir. You are now back on the same road as at the start. Travel back across Shielhill bridge and on to the edge of Kirriemuir. Cross the T’junction into Sheillhill Road taking the left turn sign for the Camera Obscura. (19 miles)

2. Follow this road for approximately 1.5 miles then turn right on the road signed Eassie. (2 miles)

3. Continue on this road, which goes downhill, crossing the now dismantled Aberdeen – Glasgow railway line near to the crossroads. At the junction cross over the A94 main (Forfar–Coupar Angus) and continue to a bridge over the Dean Water and on to a T’junction. (4.5 miles)

4. Turn left then take the second on the right marked to Ruthven. (6.5 miles)

5. Cross over the A926 (8 miles) and continue in a northerly direction towards Airlie Castle. This road rises gradually above the River Isla. At the castle lodge the road turns sharply right. Continue for approx 0.5 mile to where a left turn is signed Lintrathen. GR 307520 (10.5 miles)

6. Turn left towards Lintrathen. The road drops down to cross Melgam water then rises steeply for a short distance. At Clintlaw you may be lucky to see some alpaca’s grazing. At the next junction turn right towards Kirkton of Kingoldrum. This road is not signed. (12.30 miles)

6. There are lovely views from this road, which rises gradually to reach 244 metres before dropping down to Kirkton of Kin-goldrum. (15.50 miles)

6. Turn right at the junction then in the village take the first on the right across the burn and past Balfour Castle towards the B951 to Kirriemuir. Turn left at Cairnleith. GR 342536. (16.50 miles)

7 Continue on this road going straight ahead at the next junction towards the Loch of Kinnordy. Take the first right off this road (just before the loch) on a road which rises slightly towards Westmuir. Cross over the main road and follow the signs to Auchendownie. (19.50 miles)

8. At this next junction turn right then second left on the road to Linross and Kinalty Haughs. (20.50 miles)

9. After another 2.5 miles you reach the junction of the A925, where you turn right. The final 1.5 miles is on a fairly busy road, which follows the walls of Glamis Castle. Turn into the village, past the entrance to the Castle and back to the car park. (24.00 miles)

2. Go through the gate, cross the road and continue straight ahead on a path to the left of the golf course. Look out for stray balls, since this is a practice area! At the end of the golf course at the No Entry sign turn right. The signpost here indicates Route 1 NCN, Westhaven 1¼ miles, Angus Coastal Path (4 miles)

3. After a few yards turn left at the T’junction and follow this road alongside a fur-ther section of the golf course. Take the 2nd on the left going under a railway bridge into Ferrier Street. Look out for the Dibble Tree on the right.

4. Turn right at the junction opposite The Old Nick, then 1st left into Queen Street and left again into Terrace Road. (It is also possible to reach Terrace Road by pushing your bike up a path at the right-hand side of The Old Nick.

5. At the end of Terrace Road, turn right (almost straight ahead) into Balmachie Road, passing a park on the right hand side. Turn 2nd left into Shanwell Road and go past Carnoustie High school on to a rough track. (5.4 miles)

6. At the end of the track turn right (6.2 miles). This road leads under the A92 Dundee to Arbroath dual carriageway then continues towards Craigton. Take the first turning on the left (7.8 miles)

7. About 1.5 miles along this road you pass the Carlungie Souterain., which is well worth a visit. At the T’junction turn left towards Monifieth. (10.2 miles)

8. Just before you go under the A92 dual carriageway again you will see a gate and path on your right. This leads to the Ardestie Souterain. Continue downhill towards the town. At the junction turn left into Panmure Street in the direction of Carnoustie. (12.00 miles)

9. Cross over the burn and take the path on the right alongside it. (Alternatively continue to the bend in the road and turn right into Dalhousie Street.)

10. At Ramsay Street turn left and first right into Dalhousie Street, Continue through the houses to Tay Street. Turn left and follow this road as it bends right then turn left under the railway tunnel and back to the start (12.70 miles)

This route starts over the trunk road bridge from Inverness in the visitor car park at North Kessock.

Turn left out of the car park heading North West along the minor road towards the junction with the A9. Just before the roundabout turn right onto a shared use path and follow signs for National Cycle Network Route 1 (NCN 1) left across the road towards Munlochy and Tore.

The route goes through an underpass and follows a path on the far side of the dual carriageway until it heads left onto a minor road at lay-by. At a junction go right and then left past some kennels and, just over half a mile up the road, turn right where NCN 1 splits and follow the sign to Munlochy, passing the Black Isle Brewery a short way along on the right.

Turn left at the end of this road to pass through Munlochy and head up the hill towards Killen. About 2 miles along the road, make sure to turn right just after some woodland and follow NCN 1.

Carry on for 5 miles along a straight road which takes you through Killen to a T-junction. Turn right onto the B9160then right onto the A832 which starts to descend quite steeply, but you will need to be ready to brake as you take a hairpin left turn back up the hill on a minor road past Janefield towards Eathie (look out for the blue NCN 1 signs).

This next stretch offers fine views of the Moray Firth, Fort George and Chanonry Point. It also passes the famous Learnie Red Rock Mountain Bike Trails, well worth a visit if you are upon an appropriate type of bike.

Just past a number of TV and Radio masts, the road drops back down to meet up with the A832 again where you turn right towards Cromarty.

Make your way down to the Cromarty village centre and harbour. There are stunning views across the Cromarty Firth to the Hill of Nigg and Nigg Bay. Take some time to see the arts and crafts shops in Cromarty. National Trust for Scotland’s Hugh Miller museum is also well worth a visit.

The return leg follows the shore of the Cromarty Firth along the B9163 with great views across to Ben Wyvis.

Turn right at the next junction after Jemimaville and soon veer right past the old cemetery at the remains of St Michaels Church towards scenic views from Newhall Point.

Keep left at a small wooden sign to Balblair to climb back up to the B-road, where you turn right for a long steady accent overlooking the firth.

Eventually, turn right towards Conan Bridge to drop down a nice twisty road that gives a great view of the Cromarty Bridge. Carefully cross the A9 by the bridge and continue straight ahead on a nice single-track road until it turns sharply right, where you continue straight ahead on a minor road signposted to Ferintosh, then keep left at a give way to climb up to the B9169.

Go right and continue until you almost reach the A835 where you meet NCN 1 again. Follow NCN 1 along an excellent cycle path off to the left just before the junction, signed to Inverness and North Kessock.

Follow this to Tore, carefully over the busy roundabout (crossing the A9 again) and continue along NCN 1 turning right onto a minor road which meets your outward route where NCN 1 splits near Allangrange.

Leave the car park on the south side over Lawson footbridge, which leads into St. Georges Lane. Turn right at the far end into Buccleuch Street, then first left into Buccleuch Place. Turn left at the top of this road into Drumlanrig Square and bear right through the square into Kirk Wynd. Cross the bridge over Stirling Water to reach a ‘T’ junction at Slitrig Crescent.

Turn right and leave Hawick on the B6399, following the river upstream. About 1/2 mile after leaving the 30mph zone, take the first turning on the left up Lover’s Loan , which climbs steeply up a Wooded dean. After about 1 mile along the lane you come to a ‘T’ junction with the A6088. Turn left at the junction then after 200 yards turn right towards Cavers. A short dip over a burn is followed by a mile of intermittent climbing. On your left a wide view opens out over Teviotdale beyond the distinctive Cavers church.

The road bends right at the summit then bends sharp left on the following descent, at which point Rubers Law comes into view to the south-east. Turn right at the bottom of the following long straight.

The road continues to descend past East Middle Farm, followed by a rather steeper ascent to the next minor summit, beyond which the next junction is reached. Turn right here, now heading south-west past Whitriggs Farm.

A long, gradual ascent ends when the A6088 is encountered for the second time. At the junction turn left. In just over a mile you reach Hawthornside. Instead of bearing left with the main road, make a switchback turn to your right into a minor road heading south-west (at this point you pick up signs for the Borders Loop cycle route. Follow these cycle way markers all the way back to Hawick).

The road climbs fairly gradually for a mile or so, and gives extensive views of Stonedge Forest and Wauchope Forest in the distance on the left. Beyond the summit it is generally easy cycling for the next two and a half miles through open hill country. The most interesting prospect on this section is straight ahead with the road heading almost directly towards the shapely summit of The Pike (463m). At the ‘T’ junction with the B6399 turn right and cycle north back towards Hawick.

The road soon starts to descend, steeply at first before easing somewhat at Stobs where it enters the valley of the Slitrig Water, which is followed all the way back to Hawick. The outward route is rejoined shortly before re-entering the town at Hummelknowe Bridge and is followed back to Upper Common Haugh.

The route links Irvine town centre, Kilwinning, Eglington Country Park, residential areas as well as local leisure facilities and work place locations.

The Trail also provides links with an extensive network of local paths and tracks as well as linking into two National Cycle Network routes (National Routes 7 and 73); running from Glasgow to Carlisle and between Kilmarnock and the Isle of Arran and onto the Mull of Kintyre.

The route follows NCN 73 through Irvine town centre and crosses Irvine Moors into Kilwinning, from here you leave NCN 73 and enter Eglinton Country Park, the route then continues through the Lawthorn area and into Broomlands before rejoining NCN 73.

For more information about The New Town Trail visit

The Ayrshire Paths website