Banchory - Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms, Scotland
The Go Local - Culture on Your Doorstep Campaign is being launched on September 9 and 10th - visit the website for the programme of events including live music, workshops, photography, dance demonstrations, theatre, wine tasting, storytelling & more!
The rural town of Banchory, surrounded by rolling countryside, is the Gateway to Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms. The coming of railway in 1853 turned the town into a country resort and much of its architecture dates back to that era.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert often travelled by royal carriage to Balmoral Castle on the Deeside Railway line – now a popular footpath that meanders through Banchory and beyond. Today more than 8,000 people live here making it the largest town in Deeside.
The bustling High Street, which stretches the length of the town, has a wide range of retail outlets, hotels and restaurants. A string of ‘off the beaten track’ gift shops and galleries can be found here and on the winding alleys that lead away from the main street, including Meg’s Attic and Yeadons bookstore. A WHSmiths, Michies the Chemist and Morrisons supermarket are also on hand for all those essentials.
There is a diverse, but quintessentially Scottish, eating experience on offer in Banchory. Hearty pub-grub is served with a selection of real ales at the Douglas Arms Hotel – a 19th century coaching inn featured in the latest CAMRA Good Beer Guide. While contemporary, fine dining can be found at the Raemoir Hotel which has held 2 AA rosettes for its food since 1996 and at the Tor-Na-Coille Hotel where menus using locally sourced produce are created for the seasons by head chef Robert Ramsay.
Friendly cafes which pepper the streets of Banchory offer some of the best high teas in Royal Deeside. Here, you’ll often come across a handful of Aberdonians who pilgrimage from the city on a sunny Sunday afternoon in search of cream teas and ice creams. Locally-produced fare, such as fine wine, cheeses and meats can also be sampled at the town’s independent delicatessens.
But it’s what’s on offer a little higher than street level that attracts many visitors to Banchory. The tumbling Falls of Feugh, where salmon can be spotted leaping up the river in winter and spring, is guaranteed to impress – as will the chocolate box tearoom set on its banks. Hill walkers will be in their element on nearby Scolty Hill or one of the higher peaks accessed from the Cairn O’Mount road, such as Clach na Ben. And those looking for more action from their visit have mountain biking, river canoeing or quad biking to choose from.
Traditional Scottish architecture is in its element at two National Trust for Scotland properties, Crathes and Drum Castles, just a short drive from the town centre. Widely believed to be one of the most beautiful and best persevered castles in the country, Crathes Castle also has stunning formal gardens - as summer approaches the herbaceous borders can only be described as magnificent. Set on an estate of more than 400 acres Drum Castle has a mediaeval chapel and romantic forest walks in the old wood of Drum. Thanks to a blend of architectural styles over the years - medieval, Jacobean and Victorian - the character of Drum changes as you move around.
Find out more about Banchory by visting www.visitbanchory.com
The Go Local - Culture on Your Doorstep Campaign is being launched on September 9 - visit the website for the programme of events including live music, workshops, photography, dance demonstrations, theatre, wine tasting, storytelling & more!
Banchory Lodge Hotel
Banchory Lodge Hotel is privately owned and and offers superior accommodation in an idyllic riverside garden setting. Many of the 22 bedrooms have river views and the dining room overlooks the confluence of the rivers Feugh and Dee. Banchory Lodge offers 20 bedrooms, 2 AA Rosette dining, and outstanding corporate and conference facilities
Dee Street AB31 5HS Scotland, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, AB31 5HS
Tel: 01330 822625
Gable End Bed & Breakfast
Single, twin and double rooms available. Well appointed rooms with TV and tea & coffee making facilities. A comfortable setting near to Banchory Golf Course, restaurants and country sites of Royal Deeside!
73a High Street, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 5TJ
Tel: 01330-824666
Email: june@gableend.eclipse.co.uk
Milton Restaurant & Marquee
The Milton Restaurant is in a stunning setting on the riverbank in Royal Deeside. Personalised service and delicious, award winning cuisine, together with a welcoming atmosphere, set it apart from other restaurants in the area.
Milton of Crathes, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 5QH
Tel: 01330 844474
Email: jan@themilton.co.uk
Meg's Attic
Home to one of the largest range of craft supplies in Aberdeenshire! Visit our website to shop through our vast assortmen of ribbon, yarns, beads, fabrics and patchwork accessories. We also offer classes in Patchwork, Beadwork, Quilting and more!
70 High Street, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 5SS
Tel: 01330 824979
Email: moira@megsattic.co.uk
Cow Shed Restaurant
The Cow Shed is a new restaurant set in the tranquil surroundings of the Banchory countryside. With an eye-catching wine cellar and part open kitchen, relax and enjoy the superb views out over the Hill of Fayre. The Cow Shed serves modern Scottish food, focussing on flavour and seasonality. Great care is taken to source the best quality local produce if available. Fresh fish and seafood are delivered daily, and along with the best of Scottish Beef and Game, customers can be sure of experiencing Scotland’s produce at its very best. Our menus never say home-made, because everything is – from the bread you start with to the sweetmeats completing your dining experience. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday – Saturday and traditional Sunday lunch from 12 noon.
Raemoir Road, Banchory, AB31 5QB
Tel: 01330 820813
Email: info@cowshedrestaurant.co.uk
Mill of Tilquhillie
Mill of Tilquhillie is a former water mill which provides comfortable and characterful holiday accommodation for 4, in a peaceful country setting 2 miles from Banchory and 20 miles from the city of Aberdeen and Aberdeen Airport.
Tilquhillie, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 6JS
Tel: 01330 844616
Email: joannecbooth@aol.com
Tor na Coille
The Tor-na-Coille Hotel is a privately owned Country House Hotel, set in 8 acres of magnificent woodland, opposite the picturesque Banchory golf course, just 18 miles drive from Aberdeen City Centre. The hotel has 23 spacious en-suite bedrooms, individually furnished and some of our larger rooms have authentic open fireplaces.
Inchmarlo Road , Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 4AB
Tel: 01330 822242
Email: info@tornacoille.com
Raemoir House Hotel - Banchory
A beautiful, privately owned and run Scottish country house hotel located close to Aberdeen and 1 mile north of Banchory. The Georgian mansion house sits in 10 acres of lawn and parkland. Raemoir offers 20 bedrooms, 2 AA Rosette dining, and outstanding corporate and conference facilities.
Raemoir, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 4ED
Tel: 01330 824884
Email: hotel@raemoir.com
Banchory and District Initiative
www.visitbanchory.com is the official web site for the Banchory area and is maintained by Banchory and District Initiative to promote the area to visitors.
Banchory is the Gateway to Royal Deeside, a historic market town in a beautiful setting with stunning golf courses, excellent river and loch fishing, cycleways, walks, tearooms, award winning restaurants, good shoping facilities, historic castles, a steam railway and a museum focusing on local heritabe and culture.
Banchory and District Initiative (BDI) is a community group with volunteer directors working for better community facilities, a more vibrant local economy; the promotion of local heritage and culture; enhanced surroundings and a cleaner greener environment, and a strong community spirit.
More information about BDI can be found on the Banchory Community Website: www.banchory.org or:
c/o The Reading Room Town Hall High Street, Banchory, AB31 5NA
Tel: 01330 822549
Email: info@banchory.org
Atholl Countrywear
This delightful emporium holds a wonderful array of gifts from elegant candles, pottery, stoneware, glass and toiletries through to luggage, rugs, toys and a variety of delicious biscuits, preserves and mouth watering confectionery. Located 3 miles east of Banchory on the main A93 Aberdeen to Braemar road and very close to Crathes Castle - this shop is part of a converted steading. The more traditional home and garden items are unusual and innovative.
Milton of Crathes North Deeside Road, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 5QH
Tel: 01330 844551
Email: athollatbanchory@aol.com
Raemoir Garden Centre
Raemoir Road, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 4EJ
Tel: 01330 825059
Inchmarlo Resort & Golf Club
Glassel Road, Banchory, Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB31 4BQ
Tel: 01330 826427