Anna's Guidebook
Food scene
Born and bread on Royal Deeside, Calum has a great knowledge of the area and a true love for the fine food and drink on offer. He can show you the hidden gems, knows the most interesting people and would love to share his passion with you
Bothies & Bannocks
Born and bread on Royal Deeside, Calum has a great knowledge of the area and a true love for the fine food and drink on offer. He can show you the hidden gems, knows the most interesting people and would love to share his passion with you
Whiskey! The strong stuff. Visit Royal Lochnagar Distillery and find out how whiskey is distilled using the water comes from the springs above the distillery... On the tour you’ll see the huge stills and see the rooms full of casks then be able to taste some whiskey (puts hairs on your chest!) Make sure you book a space!
25 locals recommend
Royal Lochnagar Distillery
Whiskey! The strong stuff. Visit Royal Lochnagar Distillery and find out how whiskey is distilled using the water comes from the springs above the distillery... On the tour you’ll see the huge stills and see the rooms full of casks then be able to taste some whiskey (puts hairs on your chest!) Make sure you book a space!
Sports, recreation and adventure!
Mountain biking and hiking ideas
Tony is an excellent guide who has a great energy just like his bikes! He can show you the delights of Royal Deeside’s best trails, whether you are new to mountain biking or love the thrill of enduro trails, Tony can find something that everyone will enjoy. Dramatic views, gently flowing single track and big days out... Discover the best trails that Deeside has to offer!
eguide Scotland
Old Tollhouse RoadTony is an excellent guide who has a great energy just like his bikes! He can show you the delights of Royal Deeside’s best trails, whether you are new to mountain biking or love the thrill of enduro trails, Tony can find something that everyone will enjoy. Dramatic views, gently flowing single track and big days out... Discover the best trails that Deeside has to offer!
This place is the gateway to some big walking or biking days out. But also has the most beautiful walk just around the Loch. It’s stunning here, dramatic and romantic! Queen Victoria built her little bothy here (it’s actually massive!) and there is one for the peasants just behind it 😆 From the carpark you can also climb the Munro, Lochnagar!
9 locals recommend
Loch Muick (Balmoral Estate)
This place is the gateway to some big walking or biking days out. But also has the most beautiful walk just around the Loch. It’s stunning here, dramatic and romantic! Queen Victoria built her little bothy here (it’s actually massive!) and there is one for the peasants just behind it 😆 From the carpark you can also climb the Munro, Lochnagar!
Please visit beautiful Glen Tanar! This place has my heart and is just 3 miles away. Less if you like a serious climb! We are lucky enough to be welcomed by the estate owner Michael Bruce. There are miles and miles of trails to walk here, rivers to dip your toes in and you can even climb the most Easterly Munro, Mount Keen from here. You’ll see, deer, Kingfisher if you’re lucky and if you’re unlucky, Cappercaillie who are super territorial and huge! They are protected so if you meet one, turn and walk/run the other way!
8 locals recommend
Glen Tanar National Nature Reserve
Please visit beautiful Glen Tanar! This place has my heart and is just 3 miles away. Less if you like a serious climb! We are lucky enough to be welcomed by the estate owner Michael Bruce. There are miles and miles of trails to walk here, rivers to dip your toes in and you can even climb the most Easterly Munro, Mount Keen from here. You’ll see, deer, Kingfisher if you’re lucky and if you’re unlucky, Cappercaillie who are super territorial and huge! They are protected so if you meet one, turn and walk/run the other way!
Only 50 minutes drive from Aboyne, through the beautiful village of Braemar is Glenshee ski Centre. If you ski or snowboard, this is the place for you. The views are incredible which adds to an epic snow sports experience!
51 locals recommend
Glenshee Ski Centre
Old Military RoadOnly 50 minutes drive from Aboyne, through the beautiful village of Braemar is Glenshee ski Centre. If you ski or snowboard, this is the place for you. The views are incredible which adds to an epic snow sports experience!
Lecht Ski Centre is only a 45 minute drive. This amazing little set of slopes is perfect for beginners and families or people looking to progress. There’s even have a ‘magic carpet’ which makes those first tries on the slopes a little easier!
18 locals recommend
Lecht Ski Centre
Lecht Ski Centre is only a 45 minute drive. This amazing little set of slopes is perfect for beginners and families or people looking to progress. There’s even have a ‘magic carpet’ which makes those first tries on the slopes a little easier!
Things to do
Farmer Ken has this awesome activity centre just down the road that offers karting, quad biking, rifle target shooting and my personal favorite, axe throwing!!! If you want to do something a little different or maybe the weather is dreich and you want to hone your archery skills without getting absolutely soaked, this is the place for you!
Ken has award winning cattle which he takes a lot of pride in. Since COVID, at the weekends you’ll find his ‘legendary Cairnton Farm Aberdeen Angus BBQ’ which runs alongside the restaurants takeaway menu or browse the farm shop.
Check out the web page or Facebook for updates!
22 locals recommend
Deeside Activity Park
A93Farmer Ken has this awesome activity centre just down the road that offers karting, quad biking, rifle target shooting and my personal favorite, axe throwing!!! If you want to do something a little different or maybe the weather is dreich and you want to hone your archery skills without getting absolutely soaked, this is the place for you!
Ken has award winning cattle which he takes a lot of pride in. Since COVID, at the weekends you’ll find his ‘legendary Cairnton Farm Aberdeen Angus BBQ’ which runs alongside the restaurants takeaway menu or browse the farm shop.
Check out the web page or Facebook for updates!
Sightseeing
This is castle country after all! Crathes Castle is probably the most popular of our local castles. Take a tour around this historic castle and listen to tales of ‘The Green Lady’ who has been seen standing by a fireplace with a baby in her arms... I won’t ruin the story, go and listen for yourselves! Crathes also has the most beautiful walled gardens, it has 8 sections to enjoy, and you can finish your visit by taking a long walk through the castles woods
77 locals recommend
Crathes Castle
This is castle country after all! Crathes Castle is probably the most popular of our local castles. Take a tour around this historic castle and listen to tales of ‘The Green Lady’ who has been seen standing by a fireplace with a baby in her arms... I won’t ruin the story, go and listen for yourselves! Crathes also has the most beautiful walled gardens, it has 8 sections to enjoy, and you can finish your visit by taking a long walk through the castles woods
I love Balmoral, we cycle through parts of the estate regularly. If the Royals are off road driving, they just give you a wave! The actual castle isn’t always open to the public so it’s always best to check before you visit. It depends on whether The Queen is in residence. But there are beautiful walks and cycles here. My personal favorite is to walk or bike up to Prince Alberts Cairn and visit Queen Victoria’s family cairns and try to find the Bronze of John Brown who was hidden in the woods by her family after Queen Victoria died.
120 locals recommend
Balmoral Castle
I love Balmoral, we cycle through parts of the estate regularly. If the Royals are off road driving, they just give you a wave! The actual castle isn’t always open to the public so it’s always best to check before you visit. It depends on whether The Queen is in residence. But there are beautiful walks and cycles here. My personal favorite is to walk or bike up to Prince Alberts Cairn and visit Queen Victoria’s family cairns and try to find the Bronze of John Brown who was hidden in the woods by her family after Queen Victoria died.
City advice
Don't miss
Mountain Biking Guide
https://www.rideinpeaceadventures.co.uk/ For some reason I can’t share this in Sports and Adventures?! So this is Chris Roper, he is a mountain biking, mountain goat who loves to guide! He will also help with skills if you would like! He’s super calm and mega fit so if you need some mountain bike guiding, he’s your man! He loves to bag a Munro on a big day out if that’s what you’re after but is also delighted to ride our local trails and knows them the back of his hand!
Don't miss
Macdui Bike Adventures
https://www.macdui-bike-adventures.com/ Mike provides bikes and guides for mini-adventures for all abilities in Aberdeenshire. Each ride is bespoke for you, leaving from 2 1/2 or your preferred start point at a pace and seriousness that suits you. Mike offers a Glen and Moorland Explorer ride which takes the estate roads and single track climbs onto the open mountainside above Dee valley. Take in a bothy, a Loch swim and ancient Caledonia Forest before hitting swooping single track descents that lead back to the Glen. Mike also offers a Munro Explorer Ride for more experienced riders