B999

Route

The B999 is the main route from the outskirts of Aberdeen to the villages of Potterton, Udny, Pitmedden and Tarves. It runs through a rural area, and despite its B number, is often busier than other A class roads in Aberdeenshire such as the A948 or A981.

Aberdeen to Potterton

Kirkhill Road Junction

The B999 begins at the Mundurno Roundabout on the A92, just north of Aberdeen, in an NSL area. Immediately we are faced with a couple of junctions, one for Bridge of Don industrial estate and another with an unclassified road. After a sharp bend to the right, we head north west, passing ex-landfill sites. This section is currently badly potholed at the edges and bendy, but you can still expect to manage at least 50mph. After a mile or so the road crosses the A90 (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route), then half a mile further on, we arrive in the commuter village of Potterton, which has a lot of wooden houses. There is a 40mph speed limit through the village.

Potterton to Pitmedden

After Potterton, the road becomes NSL again and after a few bends the standard generally improves. After a mile or so there a staggered junction with the B997, which is dangerous as that road is masquerading as a viable route from anywhere north east of Aberdeen to the airport and Dyce at this point and can be quite busy. We then pass through the hamlet of Whitecairns. The road is straight here and used to be used for overtaking, so the limit has been cut to 50mph. About a mile after this, there is a junction for the B979 to Newmachar (to reach the A947). A lot of traffic turns here, as the B999/B979 route avoids the need to use the Haudagain Roundabout in Aberdeen.

Meikle Tillyeve

The road then becomes arrow-straight for about 2 miles, and this provides one of the few overtaking opportunities on the route. At the end of the straight, the road forks, with the right fork heading along an unclassified road to Cultercullen. After a further short straight, at Tillycorthie there are 4 very sharp bends indeed where we cross the disused railway which ran from Dyce to Fraserburgh/Peterhead.

We then pass through Udny Station (alas, no station here any more) and the road straightens out again, providing another overtaking opportunity. The road bends sharply to the right at the junction for Udny green, and we enter another twisting section which takes us into Pitmedden. The latter part of this section is a multiplex with the B9000, where the B999 has priority.

Pitmedden to Tarves and Wedderlairs

Towards Tarves

Upon entering Pitmedden, the speed limit is cut to 30mph, which feels like stopping dead. The B999 forms the main street, so this is justified. During school hours, the limit is 20mph. Upon leaving the village, the limit stays at 30 for a few hundred yards because there is a pavement on one side for some reason, before changing back to NSL. This is a favourite spot for speed trapping. The A920 then crosses us; the B999 has priority. This is another dangerous junction. We then pass Tolquhon castle and make our way towards Tarves. Just before the village, there is a right turn leading to Haddo House. This is actually the original B999; it was rerouted via Tarves in the mid-1940s.

Once we are out the other side of Tarves, we have to TOTSO to the right. The road's old route comes in from the right and then shortly afterwards the route joins up with the B9170 (ex-A981) at Wedderlairs, which isn't a place, just a farm. The B999 ends here.

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