Mintlaw is a great starting point for exploring the F&B way, with MACBI located in the centre of Mintlaw. From here, you can head east towards Peterhead taking in Longside on route or heading inland to the west towards Maud. With a population of almost 3000, Mintlaw has a good level of local amenities including garden centre café, shops, public house as well as Aden Country Park and all its attractions.
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 Mintlaw, plan your journey at www.travelinescotland.com
Local Trips
There are also lots of quiet streets around Mintlaw, as well as various core paths for safe cycling routes.
At Aden Country Park you can cycle around the park grounds and lake, browse local handmade gifts or find out more about rural life at the Aberdeenshire Farming Museum.
Located adjacent to Aden Park, there are a number of trails that can be cycled at Forest of Deer or the nearby Pitfour Estate offers a leisurely cycle around the large lake home to a number of swans and geese during the winter months.
Local Scenery
Further Afield
Picking up a bike from one of the two Mintlaw bases, access to the Formartine & Buchan Way can be picked up from North Street (just north of the main square) or the point that it crosses the A950, at the northern boundary of Aden Country Park. 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)
- Heading East – Longside (10km round trip), Peterhead (24km round trip). Located between Longside and Peterhead lies the former WW1 and WW2 airfield and remnants of the former base can still be seen. From the railway cyclists will be able to look down onto the River Ugie for part of the route and take in the rich agricultural farmland. This is a good area for spotting birdlife. The F&B way has recently been upgraded into Peterhead, Aberdeenshire’s largest town, and if time allows, the sea scape at Gadle Braes is an interesting diversion or look out for grey seals in Peterhead Bay.
- Heading West –Maud (17km round trip): Maud is a key point on the former rail network; the Peterhead branch line intersecting with the main north-south line between Dyce and Fraserburgh.En route, be sure to take the short diversion to explore the ruins of the 13th century Deer Abbey.
- Strichen (35km 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.
Whether you choose your own route around town or explore the Formartine & Buchan Way, be sure to make time to refuel at one of Mintlaw’s local eateries.