[Closed] Not Gnarr, but...Formartine & Buchan Way

ideal gravel bike ride. Brew Dog's Dog Tap in Ellon for beer and pizza, other than that I'm struggling to think of any points of real interest as it's all farming land up that way.

Alternative would be the coast road which is significantly quieter now with the new bypass, NCN1. Then you've got Slains Castle, seal colony at Newburgh, Bullers of Buchan. Have a look on the North East 250 that will give you some better ideas.

Old Deeside Line might give you more of what your after

I've often fancied a loop of the F&B way with NCN1. In fact, I think I might add that to my 2021 bivvy plans.

TBH, it's one of those things where a nice out and back using what was quite an undertaking by Victorian labour and the ability to see both the countryside and the artefacts left along the way is very appealing.

I think a day out on a decent day over the festive break is required. Lights and flask of warm brew mandatory.

Used to work at the south end so often headed that way home on a friday night.

its slower going and dirtier than you'd imagine especially if your used to the deeside way its a soft(hard) surface

It also get a bit muddled just north of newmachar and its easy to miss your way - the signage may have changed but although the maps dont show it on the ground it drops onto a road briefly before sneaking back onto a paralel track - and if you miss that sneek you find your self on the NCN road heading away from the F&B

It has more views than the deeside way imo - especially if you get a clear day and look back the skyline out into the cairngorms can be impressive from the limited high(er) points. and also out to the sea.

It can be a lovely ride on a nice day with great views in places, which trail_rat mentioned. I used to pick up the F&B line at Maud when I lived out that way and would ride to Ellon and back with my wife. Maud station is definitely worth a visit as there's still quite a bit of it left, including the remains of a turntable.

There's some info here if you haven't already seen it.

https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/paths-and-outdoor-access/long-distance-routes/formartine-and-buchan-way-route-cards/

I've incorporated bits of it into various winter gravel rides. I'd say that it is quite weather dependent. The surface is a bit variable so can be a slippy in the wet, but lovely on those cold dry days. It does go through a fair bit of flat farmland, so you need good visibility to get those big views with glimpses of the mountains. I nice misty cold winters days with the geese in the fields can also be quite special though.

Our back garden backs onto the F&B way, and so we use it quite often for quick rides or runs. Surface from Dyce to Newmachar is pretty decent (well packed down and fairly smooth) and we’ve commuted into town along it on our road bikes with no issues. North of Newmachar, once it leaves the NCN1, the surface is still generally ok, but can be rougher in places and a bit more muddy. There are definitely sections where the surface has been washed away in places by recent heavy rain, which are now bigger patches of gravel.

Signage from Dyce to Ellon is all good, although once you’re on it there are not really any other turn offs that look the same, so would be hard to get lost.

About 15 years ago, before we lived where we do now, I did a loop on the line from Dyce to Peterhead and then back via coast road on my MTB (Specialized Epic). Was about 70 miles. I’d agree with those above saying that it would be ideal for gravel bikes. I’ve also done the whole thing more recently on a Tricross, which was a bit less effort.

If you want more up to date info on the conditions nearer the time, let me know.

Bullers of Buchan

Thank you, I've added this and a visit to the Bullers to May 2021 calendar.

Some great routes up that way. I cycled the north east 250(extended version) a few months ago. Would be good to do a loop including both. Say railway line Dyce to Ellon cut over east to Collieston then head north on minor road past the original Slains Castle passing Whinnyfold to Cruden Bay. Cycle down to Slains Castle ruins, great cliff views then back to road and north for a mile then turn of for the Bullers of Buchan. Fantastic views/cliffs. Then cycle inland via Longside and Mintlaw to Maud, pick up the railway line and head south back to Dyce,

That’s on my ride list now would be around 60 miles. Can be extended if you go north to the coast again on the railway line then head east to Spey Bay. Could even get the train back to Dyce from Elgin. Now that would be epic on a gravel bike.

Best village in the North East - Udny Green - can be added off the line with its castle and mort house. On a clear day you can see Lochnagar from the top of whitlam hill (tarmac road north of Newmachar). Good loop north from Dyce is to stay on the line to Newmachar then head across to Udny Green and through the castle grounds (its a private residence but access is allowed just stick to the signs and the rule about not being a d*ck) to Pitmedden Gardens and follow fisher walk up to the old aberdeen road (Raitshill on the os map) to Tarves then into Haddo. Ride through Haddo to the Ythan then turn East to follow the north side of the river to the reindeer at Ythanbank. Look for the land-rover track heading north and you can climb up and over to pick up the line again north of ellon after a wee bit of tarmac. Stop off for a beer at brewdog, or a coffee and cake at the Coffee Apothecary then all downhill from Newmachar back to Dyce all accessible on a cross bike and keeps you off the main roads, you'll be unlucky if you meet a car.

We're slowly connecting up old paths to Inverurie off road from Pitmedden and soon, hopefully, connecting to the coast at Newburgh.

Dava way between Grantown and Forres is another decent option.