Strathdon
The spectacular glen of Strathdon is nestled forty miles from the bustling city of Aberdeen. Rich in both scenery and wildlife, it sits on the banks of the River Don and marks the gateway to the Cairngorm National Park.
The landscape here is truly remarkable in its diversity with rugged mountains melting into lush Caledonian pine forests and fertile valleys. And the animals that live off this natural land make it an ideal base for wildlife enthusiasts - osprey, capercaillie, row deer, herons and otters are all familiar sights.
In the spring, Strathdon stirs into life as wild flowers blossom and the salmon and brown trout fishing season begins once more – a popular leisure pursuit on the River Don. By summer, the extended hours of daylight allow visitors to explore the treasures of the Cairngorm National Park. The heather clad hills in autumn are a stunning backdrop to the castles and galleries that can be found close to Strathdon. And in winter, when the populations of ptarmigan and mountain hare molt into white feathers and fur, there is skiing and snowboarding right on the doorstep at The Lecht Ski Centre.
The world-famous Lonach Highland Gathering and Games draws hundreds of visitors to Strathdon every August. The day begins with the impressive March of the Clansmen who visit prominent households in the area claiming a wee dram of whisky at each stop, including Candacraig House where comedian Billy Connolly and his wife Pamela Stephenson live. They attend most years and bring many of their celebrity friends including Dame Judi Dench, Steve Martin, Eric Idle, Ewan McGregor, Eddie Izzard, Brian Cox and many more. The traditional games that follow in Bellabeg Park are not to be missed!
The Lost Gallery
The guiding policy at the Lost Gallery is simply stated: to show works by Scottish modern artists who most excite the owners, artist Peter Goodfellow and his wife Jean. Set deep in the beguiling tranquillity of Glen Nochty, the Lost Gallery is housed in a 19th century farmhouse that crouches low into the side of Moss Hill, one of the gentler sisters of the Cairngorms. It is an idyllic setting which engenders just the mood to appreciate the gallery's innovative show of contemporary art and to enjoy respite from the fumes and furore of modern life.
Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, AB36 8UJ
Tel: 01975 651287
Email: jean@lostgallery.co.uk
Hilltrek Outdoor Clothing
An excellent range of outdoor clothing and equipment is available at Hilltrek Outdoor Clothing's shop in Aboyne. As well as stocking major outdoor brands such as Páramo, Hilltrek make their own outdoor clothing for walking, climbing, cycling, angling, nature watching and bushcraft, using special fabrics such as Ventile and Nikwax Analogy.
If you are have forgotten a vital piece of gear, such as an ice axe, GPS or walking poles, Hilltrek's equipment hire service can help you out.
From its Clachan Yell Workshop, named after an iconic hill in Glentanar, Hilltrek operate an outdoor clothing repair service to help restore that beloved jacket to almost pristine condition.
Hilltrek's staff are all outdoor enthusiast pleased to provide up to date information on local walking, skiing and biking routes and conditions.
Clachan Yell Workshop Ballater Road, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, AB34 5HN
Tel: 013398 86062
Email: sales@hilltrek.co.uk
Cyclehighlands
Cyclehighlands are based in Ballater and specialise in bike rental, guiding and corporate events from the biggest bike shop in Aberdeenshire. The shop is an official demo centre for many leading brands and during the winter months we open our ski and board hire in Braemar. All our staff are qualified mountain bike guides and members of the local mountain bike club so trail and route advice is always available and we can now offer a bike shuttle service to the Lecht Chairlift mountain bike trails. From family cyclist to expert on road or mountain, discover some of Scotland’s best cycling!
The Pavilion Victoria Road, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5QQ
Tel: 013397 55864
Email: info@cyclehighlands.com
Kildrummy Inn
The Kildrummy Inn is located in the heart of rural Aberdeenshire on the main A97 Donside road heading to Strathdon just a couple of minutes drive from the Mossat junction.
Its location makes the Kildrummy Inn an excellent base for touring this beautiful part of the Grampian Mountains & beyond.
Ideally situated for both the Whisky & Castle trails with Kildrummy’s own historic Castle & tranquil gardens just 10 minutes walk from the Inn front door!
As well as catering for visitors & tourists, Kildrummy Inn is renowned for its excellent cuisine & hospitality making it a very popular place to dine!
Kildrummy Inn has:
4 tastefully decorated en-suite letting bedrooms
Welcoming lounge bar
3 separate dining areas
Guest lounge
Function hall
Caravan & camping club CL site with 5 pitches
Ample parking
Garage storage for motorcycles
Kildrummy Inn Kildrummy, Alford, Aberdeenshire, AB33 8QS
Tel: 019755 71227
Email: enquiries@kildrummyinn.co.uk
Cairngorms Hostels
Running the Highlands
Local company, Running The Highlands, offers Training Weekends, Tailored Running Holidays and quickie Guided Runs lasting one hour upwards. The company has established a network of top quality running trails for all standards and staff include qualified running guides, sports physiotherapists and massage therapists, nutrition advisors and fitness instructors. Running The Highlands is the foremost company in its field in Scotland.
Craig Cottage, Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire, AB31 4SJ
Tel: 08451 577422
Email: info@runningthehighlands.com
Fishdee Ltd
FishDee is the multi functional website for the River Dee angling fishing tourism sector. The River Dee is internationally famous for its salmon fishing, and especially so for its multi-sea winter spring salmon, with anglers coming from all over the world to fish it. Over 40 of the River Dee's salmon beats are included on the site which is over 90% of the fishing beats. You can see its current fishing availability and book vitually all your fishing online 24/7 or by telephone. The website provides an automated daily river levels page with local weather report - river levels are updated twice daily during the salmon season and most beats report salmon & sea trout catches nightly on the site. The website provides a detailed weekly catches report and a prospects information for the following week, throughout the whole fishing season from February to October. FishDee attracts 2 million page views annually and provides an excellent vehicle for service providers to be discovered by visitors planning a visit to Deeside. FishDee provides support for the service sector to ensure they offer the facilities that are important to visiting anglers. For any information or advice please contact Ken Reid at ken@riverdee.org or 07979 878971 who will be happy to assist you.
River Office Mill of Dinnet Dinnet, By Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, AB34 5LL
Tel: 01339 880411
Email: ken@riverdee.org
Glendavan House - Dinnet
Glendavan House - 5 Star luxury suite accommodation in Royal Deeside.
A 5 star bed and breakfast built as a shooting lodge in 1886 and set in 7 acres of natural woodland overlooking Loch Davan in the Cairngorm National Park.
Furnished to the highest standards, each suite combines bespoke and antique furniture, Victorian features and luxurious fabrics with state of the art, modern facilities. Accommodation at Glendavan has been tailored to offer every guest a little bit of luxury in a relaxed and informal manner. The grounds are home to varied Highland wildlife including red squirrels and roe deer. The loch is a protected bird sanctuary. Thousands of greylag geese settle on their journey south, sharing territory with whooper swans, mallard ducks, moorhens and a family of otters.
Dinnet, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB34 5LU
Tel: 013398 81610
Email: info@glendavanhouse.com
Walkdeeside Ltd
WalkDeeside Ltd offer a wide range of quality outdoor activities and walking holidays based on Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms. WalkDeeside offer qualified guides and instructors for their walking holidays, NNAS map reading and navigation courses, wildlife watching , trail cycling or guided walks. All their activities are based on providing an opportunity for customers to achieve, to be fulfilled, to be inspired and to experience the environment for personal development. 1 Balnastraid Cottages, Dinnet, Aberdeenshire, AB34 5NE
Tel: 013398 80081
Email: info@walkdeeside.com
Lecht Ski Centre
Corgarff, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, AB36 8YD
Tel: 019756 51440
Allargue Arms Hotel
Corgarff, Aberdeenshire, AB36 8YP
Tel: 019756 51410
Kildrummy Castle Hotel
Kildrummy, Alford, Aberdeenshire, AB33 5EX
Tel: 019755 71288
Colquhonnie Hotel
Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, AB36 8UN
Tel: 01975 65 12 10