Braemar Castle awaits

Posted on July 24, 2025

Visitor Attractions

Besides amazing orienteering, there are lots of other things to do on Deeside...

When you’re not orienteering, there are many local cultural and historical attractions as well as outdoor activities in the area. There are castles from Braemar in the west to Dunnottar on the coast, Lochnagar and many other Munros to climb, as well as distilleries to visit, golf courses to play on, and wildlife to watch. There is lots to keep every member of the family entertained!

Castles

Balmoral Castle: summer home of the Royal Family but open daily to the public between April and early August. Located at Crathie. Ticket entry to grounds and ballroom. Find out more.

Braemar Castle: Community-run castle open daily. Located in Braemar. Ticket entry to castle. Find out more.

Crathes Castle: Run by National Trust for Scotland and open daily. Located near Banchory. Ticket entry to castle. Find out more.

Castle Fraser: also run by National Trust for Scotland and open daily. Located between Dunecht and Kemnay. Ticket entry to castle. Find out more.

Drum Castle: a National Trust for Scotland run castle near Banchory. For centuries it was the seat of the chief of Clan Irvine. Find out more.

Kildrummy Castle:  a ruin near Kildrummy, in Aberdeenshire. Though ruined, it is one of the most extensive castles dating from the 13th century to survive in eastern Scotland, and was the seat of the Earls of Mar. Find out more.

Corgaff Castle: an isolated tower house in the Cairngorms that was a residence of the high-status Forbes family. After Culloden in 1746, it was converted to become a Redcoat garrison fortress, largely to suppress Jacobite activity. Find out more.

Pictish stones, crosses and older recumbent stone circles

Migvie Churchyard (NJ 437068). 8th Century carved stone with cross and symbols. Carvings and artworks in church. Park by churchyard. Read more.

Loch Kinord (NO 440 997). 9th Century large interlaced cross carved in relief. Twenty minutes’ walk from Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve Visitor centre. Read more.

Tulloch Churchyard (NO 391975). Collection of 7th Century carved stones in a shelter in the recently restored churchyard. Park by road. Read more.

Sunhoney (NJ 716057). Large recumbent with view of Hill of Fare. Park at farm and follow footpath. Read more.

Tomnaverie (NJ 486034). Recently excavated and preserved stone circl. Managed by Historic Scotland with views of Lochnagar, and parking. Read more.

Midmar Kirkyard (NJ 699065). Park in church parking area. Read more.

Nine Stanes (NO 723912). Low circle in forest setting. Informal parking by road. Read more.

Cullerlie (NJ 785042). Low circle. Park by road, Historic Scotland. Read more.

Other attractions

Royal Lochnagar Distillery: distillery open daily. Located 1 mile from Balmoral Castle. Book tours online or visit the retail store and Courtyard Bar.

Grampian Transport Museum: museum of everything transport and open daily. Located in Alford. Find out more.

Deeside Activity Park: have a go at kart racing, clay pigeon shooting, archery or fly fishing. Located at Dess, near Kincardine O’Neill. Find out more.

Braemar Highland Games Centre (NO 148913), Braemar, café and exhibition. Find out more.

Tarland Trails Mountain Bike Centre (NJ 487055), Tarland, parking and toilets. Find out more.

Belwade World Horse Welfare Centre (NO 558985), Dess, café, visitor centre and walks. Find out more.

Scenic Locations

Linn of Dee: located beyond Braemar and run by National Trust for Scotland, there is a large car park and waymarked trails which allow you to admire the power of the River Dee as it squeezes through narrow gaps in the rocks. Read more.

Muir of Dinnet: National Nature Reserve located near Dinnet and run by NatureScot, there is a Visitor Centre and waymarked trails round the scenic Loch Kinord. Read more.

Glen Tanar: an estate nestled among ancient Caledonian pine forest, there is a Visitor Centre and waymarked trails. Also home to Glen Tanar Equestrian Centre. Read more.

Lochnagar (NO 310851). Spittal of Glen Muick Visitor Centre and toilets. Popular route up the dominant Monroe on Deeside.

Loch Kinnord (NO 429997). Level walks around Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve. Parking and Visitor Centre with toilets. Also Burn o’ Vat gorge and Pictish cross.

Cambus O’May (NO 404981). Forest walks. Forest and Land Scotland parking, no toilets.

Scolty Hill (NO 687948). Ascent to local viewpoint and tower overlooking Banchory. Woodland walks on Deeside Way. Forest and Land Scotland parking, no toilets.

Clachnaben (NO 649869). Dominant peak in Lower Deeside with a granite tor at its summit. Parking in old quarry by the Cairn o’ Mount road, no toilets.

Places to Eat

Pubs/Hotels:

  • Balmoral Bar, Ballater
  • Alexandra Hotel, Ballater
  • Balmoral Arms, Ballater
  • Glenaden Hotel/ The Barrel, Ballater
  • The Boat, Aboyne

Cafes:

  • The Bothy, Ballater
  • Bean for Coffee, Ballater
  • The Bridge House Cafe, Ballater
  • Brown Sugar, Ballater
  • Rothesay Rooms, Ballater
  • The Bothy, Braemar
  • The Sign of the Black-faced Sheep, Aboyne
  • Spider on a Bicycle, Aboyne

Finer Dining:

  • Darroch Learg, Ballater
  • The Fish Shop, Ballater
  • Clachan Grill, Ballater
  • The Fife Arms, Braemar

Wild Swimming

Cambus O’May Bridge, River Dee (NO 421976). Easy swimming in deep pools beneath suspension bridge. Walks on south bank and preserved railway station. Parking.

Potarch Bridge, River Dee (NO 608973). Easy swimming in pools below Thomas Telford bridge. Potarch Café and walks behind Potarch Green. Parking on Green.

Linn of Dee, River Dee (NO 062897). Pools in rocky gorge for serious swimmers. NTS parking and toilets.

Outdoor Heated Lido (NO 877865). Stonehaven. Art Deco 1930’s restored 50m pool. Heated salt water. Parking adjacent to pool and beach with short walk to harbour.

Events

The Aboyne and Deeside Festival is on over the summer with lots of events taking place. Find out more.

The annual Artaboyne exhibition also takes place in the Victory Hall, Aboyne from 19th July to 9th August.  Free entry.

Saturday 26th July 2025: Banchory Show (NO 657955), King George V Park. Hill Race at 3.30pm, turn up and register ½ hour beforehand. Find out more.

If you are still in the area on Saturday 2nd August, why not visit a traditional Highland Games, being held on the Green in Aboyne. Find out more.

The above attractions are just a selection of things to do and places to eat – if you want more ideas and suggestions, pop in to the VisitScotland information centre located in Station Square Ballater, just opposite the Victoria & Albert Halls and they’ll be happy to help.