Inverurie

Inverurie is the largest town in Aberdeenshire with a population of around 14,000, and is known as the Centre of the Garioch (pronounced “Geery”). The town was founded in 1308, though its first mention in royal charters isn’t until 1558. If outdoor history is your thing, then the Easter Aquhorthies stone circle dating back to the 3rd century BC is worth a visit, as is the Pictish stone symbol known as the Brandsbutt Stone. The largest livestock market in Scotland can be found just south of the town at Thainstone. The area offers some classic Aberdeenshire cycling with views of Bennachie seemingly a feature of every road. The town has for many years hosted it's own popular cycling event - the Great Inverurie Bike Ride which takes in the beautiful roads around Chapel of Garioch and Monymusk. It's a bustling town centre that has all the businesses that a visiting cyclist could need - including a local bike shop. The town does have visitor accommodation, but more notable country house hotels are a short distance out of town. Inverurie is served by a train service from Aberdeen and Inverness, but if you are arriving here by car, the main car parking is at Burn Lane in the heart of the town and near to the Garioch Shopping Centre.