This new online resource reflects back on the successful visits of the Tour of Britain cycle race to Aberdeenshire in 2021 and 2022, provides details of the routes that each stage took, combines them with details of the hospitality options along each stage route, and also links to the Live Life Aberdeenshire venues located along the routes.
The new resources were launched at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford by the Provost of Aberdeenshire Councillor Judy Whyte and the Chief Executive of VisitAberdeenshire Chris Foy, accompanied by representatives from Aberdeenshire Council, North East Adventure Tourism and Glenshee Ski Centre. Also present was Stonehaven cyclist Arabella Blackburn, who rides for the Shibden Apex RT team and who is also part of the Team GB Cycling Team.
Arabella, who recently competed in the World Junior Track Cycling Championships in Holland and secured a Gold Medal in the Team Pursuit, featured in the 2022 short film “West to Glenshee” along with fellow Aberdeenshire cyclist Elliot Rowe, who now rides as a professional with the Visma-Lease a Bike team. Elliot has provided us with a short message reflecting on the Legacy Routes, where he spent much of his time as his career has progressed from youth to elite by training on the same roads that were graced by his now fellow professionals when the Tour of Britain visited.
A former Banchory Academy pupil, Elliot took time out from a training camp in Spain to record this short message, with his training camp preceding his participation in the prestigious Tour de L’Avenir across central and western France , where he was racing against some of the worlds top U23 riders and a race that has often been an early opportunity to see future stars of the Tour de France. Elliot produced a world class performance to win Stage 2 in Vitry-en-Charollais to truly cement his position as one of those future stars.
The online resources for both stages can be found below including a GPX file for both routes which can be uploaded to a compatible GPS computer or head unit:
2021- Stonehaven to Aberdeen (GPX file)
2022- Aberdeen to Glenshee (GPX file)
In addition, some suggested alternatives along the two stage routes have been included, creating shorter or more focused options and for those with access to a GPS unit there are GPX files available for the full stage routes. To take advantage of the options that are available at the venues along or near the routes, or to start or end your ride at one of our venues, you can visit the following pages that provide full details and opening hours:
2021 Route
Details of the “Aberdeenshire Ascents” programme can be found on the VisitAberdeenshire website and for more cycling and outdoor activity information you can visit the North East Adventure Tourism (NEAT) website.
Both editions of the race were delivered in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and details of their cycling options can be found here:
Please take advantage of the Aberdeenshire Council information that is available at Roadworks - closures and restrictions any ongoing roadworks or other issues impact on the routes.
Our Legacy Routes have been endorsed by British Cycling as the licence holder for the Tour of Britain Men’s and Women’s events with full details of the current races at:
Please note that the stage details from both 2021 and 2022, and the suggested alternative options within those routes, are provided as a usable resource and anyone riding all or parts of these routes does so at their own risk. Aberdeenshire Council is not responsible for the acts and omissions of members of the public engaging in the activity and they do so at their own risk.
Tell us about your experience of the Cycle Aberdeenshire “Tour of Britain Legacy Routes” via or tag @LiveLifeAberdeenshire (Facebook), @live_life_aberdeenshire (Instagram) on your own socials and tell us about your day out!
