Email: info@velodays.com
Self Led Short Breaks - Royal Deeside Castle Tour
Route: A bit of everything. For the most part the hills are pretty moderate, with a bit of climbing to cross between the Dee to the Don valleys.
Duration: 3 cycling days, 2-4 nights
Total Cycling Distance: 109 miles (Average cycling distance is 36 miles per day.)
Departures: 2010 departures can begin any Saturday from April to November (optional arrival Friday, start cycling Saturday)
Price: From £126 per person sharing a double room. This is a base price which includes 2 nights accommodation and supply of the route in both hard copy and digital form. Optional services include accommodation on arrival night, accommodation on the final day, bike hire, supply of GPS unit and luggage transfer.
Accommodation: 3 and 4 star hotels/inns.
Following the River Dee, Royal Deeside is one of Scotland's best areas for cycling. Our circular route follows the river and then explores the peaceful roads of Strathdon. The perfect route for you if you fancy combining cycling with visiting some of Scotland's magnificent castles.
Arrival Day*:
Arrival in the beautiful village of Ballater on Royal Deeside and in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Once settled in your overnight accommodation, we will deliver bikes and equipment to you.
Accommodation: The Auld Kirk Hotel, Ballater
Day 1: Ballater - Aberdeen (49 miles)
The opening day is the longest of the three days, but you are gradually descending down the Dee Valley for most of the day. The route follows the southern side of the River Dee until Banchory passes the picturesque village of Aboyne and the historic Inn at Patarch. Beyond Banchory is Crathes Castle 
and then the day finishes on a stretch of the Deeside Way, the former railway line that once brought the British Royal Family to their holiday retreat at nearby Balmoral .
Accommodation: The Ferryhill House Hotel, Aberdeen
Day 2: Aberdeen - Monymusk (28 miles)
The entire day is spent on minor roads, passing Drum Castle and the wonderful Castle Fraser as you cross from Deeside to Donside. The day finishes in the conservation village of Monymusk at the foot of Bennachie.
Accommodation: Grant Arms Hotel, Monymusk
Day 3: Monymusk - Ballater (32 miles)
The final day once again connects the Don and Dee Valleys. The village of Alford provides the opportunity for lunch after a morning on minor roads following the River Don. You will pass Craigievar , one of Scotland great fairytale castles, before rejoining the Deeside Way to Ballater.
Accommodation: The Auld Kirk Hotel, Ballater
Arrival & Departure
This is circular trip starting and ending in Ballater. Unfortunately there is no rail service to Ballater (you do get the benefit of traffic-free cycling on the former railway line), but there is a regular bus service from Aberdeen. If you arrive with your own transport, we can help you make parking arrangements for the duration of your trip.
You can find helpful practical information about all our cycling holidays in Frequently Asked Questions
