With a population of 13 thousand people, Fraserburgh is the third largest town in Aberdeenshire. Known locally as The Broch, this coastal town has strong links with the sea – it’s one of the largest shellfish ports in Europe and was the first official RLNI station in Scotland.
Route Planning
Great journey planner for bikes–it’s open source so any cycle routes added to OpenStreetMap appear here: www.cyclestreets.net
Route cards for the Formartine & Buchan Way can be downloaded at this link: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk
For public transport to/from Fraserburgh, plan your journey at www.travelinescotland.com
Local Trips
If you want to cycle nearby, there are a number of shared use paths (i.e. for both cyclists and pedestrians) around Fraserburgh, as well as quieter streets – click here for a map. The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses is a must visit for all ages, with a wander round the museum and a 45-minute guided tour. A stop at the tea room is a must for refreshments – great baking and even better views! Next door, the Fraserburgh Heritage Centre is also an interesting place to learn a bit more about local culture.
Fraserburgh Beach is another must see–a golden, sandy beach stretching from Fraserburgh to the neighbouring village of Cairnbulg. If you’re lucky, you may even spot dolphins or whales in the surf!
Local Scenery
Further Afield
Picking up a bike from Fraserburgh, access to the Formartine & Buchan Way can be picked up from the car park on Kessock Road, through the Maconochie Road underpass which gives direct access to the start of the route. As a traffic free route, the F&B way provides a great opportunity to take in the fresh air, savour views across Aberdeenshire and look out for the abundant wildlife as you cycle the route.(Note –there are one or two sections where you must cross a main road)
- Strichen (34km round trip): Just north of Strichen lies Mormond Hill. At 769 feet high it overlooks the surrounding countryside and hosts the outline of a White Horse formed by white stones. While there, refuel at a local café or restaurant, then take a wander around the Community Park, or have a browse and at The Old Auction Room.
- Mintlaw (34km one way): If you’d prefer to go a little further but don’t want to cycle back, you could continue through Strichen ,turning off at Maud towards Mintlaw. Mintlaw has Aden Country Park, Pitfour Lake and various cafes. You could then take a Stagecoach bus (usually hourly, check timetable before travel though) from Mintlaw Square back to Fraserburgh –it’s about a half hour journey. Note, this is only available if the Buchan Xpress coach is used –see link for details.
Whether you choose your own route around town or explore the Formartine & Buchan Way, be sure to make time to take a break at any one of the excellent cafes, or taste some locally landed seafood at one Fraserburgh’s restaurants.
For further inspiration and suggestions for places to eat, take a look at visitabdn.com