The Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland got round the world record holder Mark Beaumont and Bikepacking Scotland founder Markus Stitz thinking about where our local authority boundaries are. We thought about the gravel cycling routes close to the circumference of each local authority, as current stay at home restrictions in Scotland only allow exercise that starts and finishes at the same place (preferably your home, but also up to 5 miles from the boundary of your local authority area). As a start we have mapped 23 routes ranging from 30 miles to 315 miles, which are all included in the collection below. Thanks also to Craig Thompson for mapping a route around Aberdeen.
A note of caution. Different to other Bikepacking Scotland routes we could only test ride the Edinburgh & Midlothian route. For all other routes we have used Komoot and Open Cycle Map to map and review them on a computer, and also used our knowledge from other rides or projects like mapping the Perthshire Gravel Trails, John Muir Way or routes in the Cateran Ecomuseum.
When riding the Edinburgh route in winter we had to dismount and push multiple times, and also made alterations to the route while riding, so please be prepared for that. We would advise you to use common sense, carry sufficient spare kit and stick to emergency protocols.
Those routes are suggestions to inspire your own routes. You can send us feedback where they can be improved. Some councils are still missing from the collection, so if you want to map and share a route, use the feedback from below to get in touch.
All pictures by Markus Stitz. No unauthorised use – for any use please contact us.
All pictures by Markus Stitz. No unauthorised use – for any use please contact us.

Explore your Boundaries in the media:
9 Apr – Cyclingtips – The austere beauty of winter cycling
3 Apr – Discover Scotland Magazine – Ice day for a bike ride
1 Apr – Gravel Cyclist – Explore your Boundaries: A Markus Stitz & Mark Beaumont short film – the joys of winter cycling around Scotland’s Capital
31 Mar – UKGravelbike.club – Explore your Boundaries – A Markus Stitz and Mark Beaumont short film highlighting the joys of winter cycling around Scotland’s Capital
28 Mar – In de Kopgroep (NL) – Deze korte film laat zien waar fietsen echt om gaat
26 Mar – off-road.cc – Video: Explore your Boundaries – Join Markus Stitz and Mark Beaumont on their Scottish winter epic
25 Mar – Yellow Jersey Blog – Mark Beaumont – from world circumnavigation to backyard exploration
24 Mar – Bike Mag – Explore your Boundaries 2021
24 Mar – Gear and Grit – Explore Your Boundaries – Mark Beaumont & Markus Stitz
23 Mar – Schwalbe Blog – Explore your Boundaries – A Markus Stitz and Mark Beaumont short film highlighting the joys of winter cycling around Scotland’s Capital
23 Mar – CyclingEurope.org – Mark Beaumont / Markus Stitz: Explore Your Boundaries
23 Mar – bikepacking.com – Explore your Boundaries (Film)
23 Mar – The Radavist – Explore Your Boundaries: Mark Beaumont & Markus Stitz
17 Feb – Highland Drifter – Strictly Local (Aberdeen Route)
14 Jan – Yellow Jersey Blog – Explore your boundaries