Welcome to Deeside in 2017
Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017
Orienteers at Highland 2015 enjoyed Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink. In 2017 we welcome visitors to continue sampling local produce but also to take the opportunity to delve into the past – think ancient and mysterious standing stones, romantic castles, heritage heroes, Jacobite battles and much more set against our unique panoramic landscapes and enriching culture. Around 50 million people around the world claim some sort of Scottish ancestry – this number excludes the many orienteers whose forefathers from the 8th through to the 15th centuries colonised what became Scandinavian Scotland.
The map shows just some of the many places of interest within Royal Deeside – extend your stay a bit longer and enjoy many of the other sites and sights further afield.
Castles
Aberdeenshire is known as “Scotland’s Castle Country”, and you can discover 19 of the most famous and dramatic castles in Aberdeenshire on Scotland's Castle Trail.
Balmoral Castle closes doors to the public at the end of July to await the arrival of members of the Royal Family. Braemar Castle is overlooked by the Day 4 area of Creag Choinnich. Abergeldie Castle, a stone’s throw from the eponymous bridge, was fortunate to survive the major flood that devastated much of Upper Deeside in early 2016. Crathes Castle is familiar to orienteers who attended the Scottish 6 Days 2005, as it played host to the campsite as well as Status Quo (very much part of our history and heritage). The National Trust for Scotland manage this castle, but also look after the Mar Lodge Estate west of Braemar, occupying 7% of the Cairngorms National Park.
Archaeology and other Heritage
There are hundreds of sites of archaeological interest covering centuries of settlement in the area. Explore pastmap.org.uk or canmore.org.uk for detailed searches or look for the more obvious sites highlighted on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps 43 and 44. Stone circles, standing stones and souterrain can all be found, along with abandoned settlements such as the old township in Glen Feardar (Days 5 and 6). Within easy reach of Aboyne (Day 1 and Day 2) is the Culsh Earth House (souterrain), Peel of Lumphanan and Tomnaverie Stone Circle. Other interesting places to visit include the Finzean Wood Mills; Crathie Kirk (Church) by Balmoral and nearby Grampian Transport Museum and Royal Deeside Railway. Unfortunately the nearest railway station connected to the National Rail network is in Aberdeen! Ballater’s Old Royal Station, adjacent to the Event Centre, was unfortunately ruined by a huge fire in May 2015 and is currently being reconstructed (but still missing a rail link).
No visit to Royal Deeside would be complete without visiting some of the many bridges that span the Upper Dee. The Old Invercauld Bridge graces the logo, and can be glimpsed from the Bridge of Dee on the A93 near Braemar. Balmoral Bridge, built by I K Brunel disappoints, but there are fine suspension bridges and stone bridges, many with Royal (Victorian) connections. Take care at Linn O’Dee – the poet Byron nearly fell to his death admiring the waterfalls. It is not known if Scotland’s finest poet, William McGonagall, ever faced similar danger.
Hills, Glens, Adventurous Pursuits and Golf
Orienteers will appreciate the magnificent forests and beautiful scenery in the area. The Cairngorms National Park extends all the way to Glen Tanar in the east (Day 1) and includes some 43 Munros and five out of six of Scotland’s highest mountains. The WalkHighlands website is the best place to explore options for high and low level walks. In addition to the better known Munros the area abounds with Corbetts, Grahams, Donalds and other lesser hills. Weather conditions in the Cairngorms can be severe at any time of year so take care if venturing on to the high tops. Lochnagar features on the event logo and is well-known because of the children’s book written by Prince Charles (The Old Man of Lochnagar) but also rates highly as a climbing venue. Loch Muick (parking charges apply) is one of the most rewarding places for an outing and even includes suitable walks for all-terrain pushchairs, Burn O’Vat and Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, midway between Aboyne and Ballater, is a magnificent area shaped by retreating glaciers and includes the “Vat”, a giant pothole 25 metres across.
Mountain biking venues include Glen Tanar, Linn O’Dee, Glen Muick, Tarland and the purpose-built jumps and trails in the Aboyne Bike Park. Search the Directory in www.ukclimbing.com for details of local crags. Deeside Activity Park includes quad biking, archery and axe throwing whilst Craigendarroch Hotel in Ballater offers luxury activities. Legal highs may be available through the Deeside Gliding Club at Aboyne.
St Andrews is the home of golf but there is the chance to go for another legal high and altitude record playing at Braemar, 1200 feet above sea level and the highest course in Scotland. Courses extend down the glen to Ballater (special £25 rate for orienteers on production of race number), Tarland and Aboyne.
What’s On
Visit Aberdeenshire includes Activities and Attractions as well as a What’s On for the wider area. The Aboyne Highland Games [Link] will take place on Saturday 5th August and if you stay for a few days the Ballater Highland Games will take place at Monaltrie Park, adjacent to where we will establish the event campsite.
Royal Lochnagar Distillery has been Royal since the 12th September 1848, and of course will welcome orienteers partial to a wee dram. Around 100 years later the Cambus O’May Cheese Co was established, and hopefully their products can be tasted along with usquabae from the former location [age restrictions apply]. Glenfiddich, Glengarioch, Royal Lochnagar , Glenglassaugh, The Glenlivet, GlenDronach, Ardmore, Balvenie, Knockando and Fettercairn can all be checked out on the Malt Whisky Trail but remember the legal drink-drive limit in Scotland is lower than elsewhere in the UK.