Biking Tour from Edinburgh to Aberdeen in Scotland

Tour description

A six centre self-guided bike tour of Scotland’s East Coast from Edinburgh to Aberdeen. Includes 7 nights bed and breakfast in ensuite guesthouse/hotel accommodation, and 5-6 days cycling (including hire of a 21 speed all-terrain bicycle).  Also includes luggage transfers, train ticket back to Edinburgh, emergency back-up and daily route navigation via a phone app. 

This 170 mile bike route starts and finishes in Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh, famous for its splendid castle and old architecture. On this tour you will experience this area’s rich history while cycling through some stunning Scottish countryside and coastline. Leaving Edinburgh the route crosses the impressive Forth Road Bridge at Queensferry into the Kingdom of Fife. Using minor country roads and traffic-free cycle ways you will pass through pretty towns and villages with many historical sites to visit. A beautiful section of rolling hills lead to the coast and the city of St Andrews, famed as the home of golf. Then another engineering marvel, the Tay Bridge takes you across the river Tay to Dundee and along the coast through Carnoustie, Arbroath and Montrose. You will see many castle ruins along this section before reaching your destination of the tour, Aberdeen, known as the oil capital of the north.

Sample schedule

START and FINISH of TOUR: Edinburgh is in central Scotland on the East coast.

ARRIVAL DAY: Arrival in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is Scotland’s political capital, full of national monuments, museums, and impressive buildings for you to visit. You can use the remainder of the day to visit the sites of this impressive city. Overnight: Edinburgh, Scotland.

DAY ONE: Bike from Edinburgh to Aberdour. Distance approx. 20 miles (30 km). After breakfast you will be met with your bikes, and they will be fitted to your needs.  The dominating features on today’s ride are the impressive bridges that span 1 mile across the Firth of Forth. Riding over the Forth Road bridge is quite an experience with great views as you cross over to the Kingdom of Fife. The remainder of the ride to Aberdour follows close to the coast on quiet cycle paths with great views. Overnight: Aberdour, Scotland

DAY TWO: Bike from Aberdour to St Andrews. Distance approx. 40 miles (60 km). Leaving Aberdour the cycle route stays close to the coast to Kinghorn before climbing into the countryside before returning to the coast through Kirkcaldy. Heading north the route passes through the agricultural heart of Fife known as the Howe.  This beautiful green countryside with quaint villages offer refreshments or lunch making for a superb biking experience. Catching sight of the North Sea coast heralds the final stretch of today’s ride as you approach the historic city of St Andrews. Your overnight accommodation is a lovely farmhouse just south of the city where you will spend the next two nights. Overnight: (near) St Andrews, Scotland.

DAY THREE: Optional day ride from St.Andrews Distance approximately 21 miles (34 km) Today there will be several optional things to do. A planned cycle route will take you out into the countryside and then the coast to visit the fishing village of Crail, including a stop at Scotland’s secret bunker. You could choose instead to further explore the historical sites of St.Andrews (on bike or foot), which could include a walk on the famous golf course which is alongside a lovely long stretch of beach. Or you could simply enjoy the peace and quiet of a rest day at the farmhouse. Overnight: (near) St. Andrews, Scotland. 

DAY FOUR: Bike from St Andrews to Arbroath. Distance approx. 40 miles (64 km). Heading out of St Andrews you will pass the famous golf course before joining a lovely level section along a forest nature trail which leads to Tayport. Another impressive river crossing takes you over the Tay Road Bridge to Dundee.  This busy city has many places to visit and would be a good opportunity to have lunch. Following alongside the ‘Silvery Tay’ through Broughty Ferry and Monifieth the route heads inland briefly before returning to the coast at Carnoustie, another town famous for its golf course. The coastal town of Arbroath with its abbey will provide your next overnight accommodation. Overnight: Arbroath, Scotland.

DAY FIVE: Bike from Arbroath to Johnshaven or Inverbervie. Distance approx. 27- 31 miles (45 - 50 km). Staying close to the coastline now for the rest of the tour, this part of the route passes through nature reserves and some of the finest sandy beaches in the country. An optional side trip to Auchmithie (adding a few extra miles) will be included in your navigation. Be sure to stop at the beautiful Lunan Bay with the ruins of the Red Castle built in the 15th century. About halfway along today’s ride is the town of Montrose, with many places of interest to see.  This would also be an ideal place to stop for lunch.  A quiet coastal road takes you through seafront fishing villages including St Cyrus. Your overnight accommodation will be in either Johnshaven or Inverbervie which are separated by a very scenic traffic-free coastal path. Overnight: Johnshaven or Inverbervie, Scotland.

DAY SIX: Bike from Johnshaven or Inverbervie to Aberdeen. Distance approx. 39 – 43 miles (63 to 69 km). Once again, the route follows the coastline on minor roads and cycle trails through picturesque villages built into natural harbours. With various historical sites to visit, Dunnottar Castle is well worth a visit. At Stonehaven there are services for the traveller to obtain refreshments or perhaps lunch. From here the route heads inland briefly before returning to the coast just north of the town of Portlethen. Then a minor coastal road through Cove Bay takes you to your final destination for this tour, Aberdeen where your bikes will be picked up. Aberdeen is regarded as the oil capital of the north with several tourist attractions to explore. Overnight: Aberdeen, Scotland.

FINAL DAY: Return to Edinburgh. Today after breakfast your tour with us ends and you’ll catch the train back to Edinburgh. Please note: Accommodation in Edinburgh at the end of the trip is not included in the tour price.

Travel Description

The nearest International airport is Glasgow and the local airport is Inverness. If travelling from London Heathrow or Gatwick there is a shuttle service to Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. Service bus 905 operates from Glasgow terminal to Glasgow station.

ARRIVING and DEPARTING by EUROLINES or NATIONAL EXPRESS COACH: This is by far the cheapest option for long-distance travel in England, Scotland, and Wales. There are very convenient buses from each major airport. National Express carries over 16 million passengers to 1000 different places in the UK every year, and thousands more from destinations across Europe and Ireland. You can purchase an e-Ticket where you print your travel ticket online in a matter of minutes OR you can obtain an m-Ticket and have your travel ticket sent to your mobile phone - no paper ticket required. You then present this to the driver on arrival.

ARRIVING BY CAR: Please ask for details.

Tour Start Location

Tour End Location