The following is just a brief guide to some of the many activities available in the area:-
Fishing
Castles and Gardens
Whisky Trail
Golf
Young folk / Children's activities
Woodend Barn
Cycling and Walking
Fishing:
Between Aboyne and Banchory, we have world renowned beats such as Dess, Carlogie, Ballogie and Cairnton, where A.H.E.Wood, from 1913 to 1934, is said to have killed 3,490 salmon, most of them on the greased line. Those days are gone but the Dee can still offers some excellent salmon fly fishing, for which demand far outstrips supply, the best beats at the best times being taken year after year by the same rods. Please visit the following sites for more information or to book fishing.
Although runs of spring salmon are not what they used to be, the Dee can still produce good spring fishing, some of the best in Scotland and, with the cessation of netting at the mouth of the river, it is hoped that the fishing on the middle and lower Dee might regain its former glory. The total rod catch of salmon on the Dee is now in the region of 5000 fish per season. The best times on the beats below Banchory are February to May and again in September. On the middle beats, up as far as Cambus O’May, the most productive months are February, April, May, June and September, while the upper beats do well from April to June and again in September.
Castles and Gardens
Below you will find links to the many National Trust properties in the area. Crathes castle, which is within walking distance is a gem that we particularly love. Drum castle, not to be missed, is just a few miles to the East.
Castle Fraser, Inverurie, Craigievar Castle, Alford, Crathes Castle & Estate, Banchory, Drum Castle, Garden & Estate, By Banchory, Leith Hall, Huntly Furnished Historic House, Mar Lodge Estate, Braemar, Fyvie Castle, Turriff, Haddo House, Ellon furnished Historic House, Pitmedden Garden, Ellon Garden
Ancient stone circles abound the area with four in very close proximity
Whisky trail
Scotland is famous for its whisky and if you've ever tasted it, you'll know why. Apart from the well known names you may want to visit one of the smaller, more local, distilleries such as Royal Lochnagar - (adjacent to Balmoral), Fettercairn or Oldmeldrun. Discover how each distillery uses barley, water, yeast and peat to create its own distinctive taste, colour and bouquet. It is exciting after your tour to taste some different whiskies and learn all about the varieties available. Please note that many distilleries can only be visited by booking in advance. There are many organised tours or we can help you can make your own together with a beautiful drive through the Highlands.
There is a long tradition of Scottish Whisky making in the Grampian Highlands - especially in the Spayside area. Here you will find a fabulous Malt Whisky Trail which includes eight different distilleries each with their own special feature as well as a cooperage. The names of the distilleries are as follows:
- The Benromach Distillery
- The Cardhu Distillery
- The Dallas Dhu Distillery
- The Glenfiddich Distillery
- The Glen Grant Distillery
- The Glenlivet Distillery
- The Glen Moray Distillery
- The Strathisla Distillery
Other Distilleries in the area also include:
- The Cragganmore Distillery
- The Glenfarclas Distillery
- The Macallan Distillery
- The Tomintoul-Speyside Distillery
- The Tomore Distillery
- The Glendronach Distillery
- The Tomatin Distillery
Golf
Scotland is the home of golf and we have a remarkable number of excellent and varied courses within easy reach. There are at least 20 Eighteen hole courses within 45 minutes drive and many more Nine hole courses. Chose between the tough links courses such as Royal Aberdeen, Murchar or Cruden Bay - or go for spectacular cliff views at Stonehaven or play the championship parkland courses at Newmachar. We are within easy striking distance of St Andrews - just 80 minutes away - with Carnoustie about 60 minutes.
As a family of keen male golfers we can help you out with recommendations and will look forward to hearing about your days play.
Banchory itself is home to two fine courses, Banchory golf Club and Inchmarlo golf club and driving range. Time permitting we would be delighted to accompany you on our local courses should you wish.
Young folk / Children's activities
Deeside Activity Centre provides a wide range of activities including activities for children
Activities: Information of the activities on offer; including shooting, golf, walking, fishing, archery, off-road driving, quad biking, quad bike trekking,
kart racing circuit, clay shooting, target shooting, crossbow shooting, fly fishing, digger manoeuvres, tractor & trailer driving, mountain biking, orienteering, rock climbing, opposite steer driving and 4x4 driving. We also cater for
group days out including stag days, family days, hen days, work days, club days, boys & girls days, corporate and team building days.
Children's activities include an outdoor adventure zone for sledging, climbing, pedal karts, sandpit and playground.
Indoor activities area includes, bouncy castle, rock wall and indoor shooting range.
Skiing on dry slopes is available in Aberdeen and Alford all year
01224 810215
Alford Dry Ski Slope, Aberdeen
01975 563024
Winter skiing is at the Lecht http://www.lecht.co.uk/
and Glenshee areas http://www.ski-glenshee.co.uk/
Woodend Barn
Woodend Barn is a local arts centre which hosts exciting and varied performances and exhibitions of all types through out the year.
http://www.woodendbarn.co.uk/
This is a hidden cultural gem and performances should not be missed!
Cycling and Walking
For walkers and cyclists this is a wonderful area. With Scotland's right to roam there are vast wild areas to explore and hundreds of idyllic paths to walk.
This site provides excellent information on walking:-
Cyclists will enjoy quiet roads, varied routes, (with or without hills!) and some of the most beautiful scenery to cycle through. There is nothing quite like the smell of a pine forest as the miles spin beneath your wheels. The eastern half of Scotland is considerably drier than the western half: a factor well worth bearing in mind when selecting your holiday destination. This region contains some of the highest mountains in Scotland (The Cairngorms) but also some of the easiest cycling on a wonderful network of quiet, flat lanes to the north of Aberdeen. There is a wide selection of forestry routes to cater for all abilities and several sections of railway paths offering flat traffic-free routes for families. We are also with in easy reach of Scolty and Pifichie - both with serious off-road cross country and downhill tracks. The following site provides good information on the wider area - but we can provide intimate route knowledge in the Deeside valley.
Maps of good off-road rides are available from :-
We can provide you with details of walks and cycle routes to suite your requirements / fitness levels and to keep you busy for many days.
We have a good bike shop in Banchory and your host may be able to assist with simple repairs.
If you are a glutton for punishment you can join one of us for local runs in the woods, for country rides on a bike or longer distance weekend mountain runs.
