Touring by Car
Relative to most parts of the UK, the roads are quiet and motoring remains a pleasure. Aboyne is an ideal centre to visit the area bounded by Perth, Inverness, Banff, Aberdeen and Dundee. We are happy to provide assistance in planning day tours.

Castle Trail Nine of the region's finest great houses and castles are found on the Castle Trail which is an easy day trip from Aboyne. The region boasts over 70 castles in total. Those closest to Aboyne are Craigievar, Crathes, Drum and Balmoral Castles. The spectacular clifftop ruins of Dunnottar Castle (pictured right) are only 30 miles away near Stonehaven.

Malt Whisky Trail
Eight of Scotland's most famous malt whisky distilleries are to be found on this trail which starts about 1 hour's drive north from Aboyne.
The distilleries with visitors centres closest to Aboyne are Lochnagar (15 miles to the west) and Fettercairn (15 miles to the south). Additional insight into the mysteries of the distilling industry is available from your hosts as we spent 2 years managing a distillery on behalf of Bells.

Victorian Heritage Trail This starts to the south of Aboyne, in Fettercairn, and finishes in Braemar - 30 miles up the Dee valley. It covers attractions in the area, which are particularly associated with Queen Victoria and succeeding British Monarchs. The Queen's View is located 4 miles to the North of Aboyne. Pictured here is Balmoral Castle which is open to the public from mid April to the end of July.

Stone Circle Trail
The Guide to the Archaeology of tha Grampian region notes 63 sites of interest. These comprise various cairns, henges, stone circles, standing stones, and forts/defended settlements originating up to 8000 years ago.

The Coastal Trail
Discover Aberdeenshire's harbours and ports, fishmarkets and maritime attractions.

Highland Games
There are 67 Highland Games throughout Scotland between late May and early September following a tradition going back more than a 1000 years. The original games were sponsored by Kings and Clan Chiefs and featured a variety of martial and sporting events, the winners of which drew the attention of potential employers to their prowess. Most games also include highland dancing as well as individual and band piping competitions. The games are typically closed by a march-past of massed bands with the Clan Chief taking the salute.

Outdoor Activities

Walking
For the serious walker, there are two Munros close by: Lochnagar (familiar to some through Prince Charles' Old Man of Lochnagar stories) can be accessed from Glen Muick. Mount Keen is reached from Glen Tanar via a pathway, which includes remnants of The Old Caledonian Pine Forest. There are numerous hill walks, particularly on the south side of the river, where ten old droving routes from Deeside villages cross The Mounth to reach the Coastal Plain.

The local Glen Tanar Estate, 26000 acres, has waymarked hill, river and woodland walks and also offers pony trekking. The Balmoral Estate, 15 miles further to the west, provides similar facilities until the beginning of August, when the Queen takes up residence. There are nature reserves nearby at Muir of Dinnet, Loch Muick, and St Cyrus .

Golf
There are 69 golf courses listed in the Grampian golf guide, each of which could be easily reached on a round day trip from Aboyne. They are mainly member's clubs, but include many gems of parkland, heathland or links courses away from the more trodden venues. The local clubs are: Aboyne and Ballater, both 18 holes, and Lumphanan and Tarland, which are nine hole courses. All are in spectacular settings and offer a choice between parkland or heathland courses.

Fishing
River/Loch fishing for salmon, for sea, brown and rainbow trout, or for pike and perch is available in the area. Information can be provided on request.
FishDee - web site about fishing on the River Dee

Miscellaneous Activities
There are Outdoor Activity Centres nearby at Aboyne Loch (The Lodge), Dess (Deeside Activity Park) and Finzean (Tel No. 01330 850332) with more listed on www.visitdeeside.org.uk

Deeside Gliding Club, 2 miles west of Aboyne, operates a fleet of modern gliders from its own airfield. It offers introductory lessons and 5 day tailored courses. The club is best known for achieving high altitude records. Flights of over 10,000 feet are common and result in spectacular views over Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms.

Deer Stalking and game shooting is available in the area. Tel: 013397 55032

Mountain Bike Hire, Hang Gliding, Orienteering are also available in the area. Visitors to the local Water Skiing Club, which operates on Aboyne Loch, are welcome at weekends. Tuition can be provided.