The bike was invented by a Scotsman, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, in 1840. For long, it languished under the label of "poor man’s transport". The advent of the mountain bike has propelled the once-humble bike into the forefront of the leisure industry. It’s quickly been adopted across age group. (If you can’t bring a bike, don’t worry. You’ll be able to hire one almost anywhere).

With a bike and the network of rural roads that covers this part of the world, you’ll be able to cycle safely and peacefully almost anywhere, the occasional flock of sheep or tractor apart! Use a bike to find the forests of Moray, or explore the lesser-known ways by the river Spey, or take to the hill roads of Donside.

Simple off-road cycling options include the Speyside Way where you can also take in a distillery or two, or the Formartine and Buchan Way, which provides the best way to see the rolling farmland of Aberdeenshire.