北東スコットランドのおすすめMTBライド

Mount Keen is the most easterly of the Munros, taking the form of a dome rising above vast swathes of empty, bleak moorland, with extensive views on a good day.

Great bothy - you'll find it in the middle of the house complex, it's entrance is only approachable from the Eastern side of the building.

This famous summer residence of the British royal family can only be visited in spring and early summer with an entrance ticket through the main entrance. This provides access to the castle gardens and the castle ballroom, where a different exhibition is held each year. There is also a café and a gift shop. Cycling is prohibited around the castle, but with a ticket, we were allowed to explore the grounds with our bikes in hand. We parked our bikes near the café. Since 2025, a few tickets per day have also been available for enthusiasts to visit the castle's private apartments in small groups, including the room where Queen Elizabeth II's last photograph was taken. Very special, but also highly sought-after and expensive.

A wonderfully rolling gravel climb in the heart of the Balmoral Estate. Whether you're coming from the north or the south, you'll have to climb it several times, but of course, the descent is a bonus. Yet, this route is never truly challenging. The gravel is perfect for gravel bikes, and the empty landscapes are breathtaking.

Don't expect a palace, but this 'Royal Bothy' on Balmoral Estate remains one of the most beautiful bothies I know. In an outbuilding of the royal lodge just outside, you'll find several doors. The last door, somewhat hidden, is the correct one. Inside, you'll find a cozy bothy with everything you need: bunk beds, a table and chairs, and a stove for warmth. On the first floor, you can sleep on the wooden floor. Be aware that logging is prohibited around the bothy! The location is also fantastic, with beautiful views over Loch Muick, and the small wooded area has a cozy and inviting feel. A stream with fresh water also flows through it. Highly recommended to stay here.

This famous summer residence of the British royal family can only be visited in spring and early summer with an entrance ticket through the main entrance. This provides access to the castle gardens and the castle ballroom, where a different exhibition is held each year. There is also a café and a gift shop. Cycling is prohibited around the castle, but with a ticket, we were allowed to explore the grounds with our bikes in hand. We parked our bikes near the café. Since 2025, a few tickets per day have also been available for enthusiasts to visit the castle's private apartments in small groups, including the room where Queen Elizabeth II's last photograph was taken. Very special, but also highly sought-after and expensive.

Royal gravel! And that's how it rides too. Beautiful, hard gravel roads that wind through the stunning forest. I could cycle here for days.

The Cairngorms have a lot to offer, but I was also impressed by this easily accessible view and had to stop for a look. The valley and the River Dee stretch out before me, with stunning views of the mountains, Mar Lodge Estate house, and, with a bit of luck, wildlife.