Local Food
The Dine on Deeside Festival in March 2011 has now passed and was a great succes and is sure to be repeated in 2012. For a 2011 leaflet please click here 
Dine on Deeside Leaflet
Royal Deeside is famous for its local Scottish food produce. Scotland has always been renowned across the world for the quality of its fish, fruit, meat and vegetables. Perversely, we used to export most of our best produce to other countries. Thankfully, a new generation of chefs and restaurateurs has reintroduced the Scots to the joys of the bounty on their own doorstep and there has been an upsurge of interest in quality local products prepared by experts in their field.
What is it about the food in Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms that makes it so special? With its outstanding natural beauty and rich diversity of wildlife, the region is scattered with traditional Scottish estates, including Invercauld, Glen Tanar and Balmoral. It’s no surprise then that the menus of most of the Deeside eateries feature so much high quality meat and game. The Royal Deeside Larder brand initiative has now produced events such as the Venison Festival and Dine on Deeside Festival. The area is fast being recognised as a quality food destination.
The River Dee and its tributaries, which carve their way through the landscape, are teaming with salmon and sea trout at certain times of the year. Using locally sourced ingredients, many of which are organic, ensure that the dishes created are the ultimate taste sensation – as well as having the added benefit of supporting local farmers, fishermen and gamekeepers.
The diversity of eateries on offer in Deeside is excellent, from tasty pub grub at a country coaching inn to a fine dining experience in an award winning hotel or restaurant. Friendly tea rooms can be found in the towns and villages offering some of the best home bakes you will sample. Whatever your budget or taste, you’ll find that the warm Scottish welcome you receive is customary.
The monthly Banchory Farmers Market is one of the best ways to discover local produce from venison to yoghurts and from organic meats to hand made bread. It's held on the third Saturday of every month. You'll find the best of local farm produce at Farm Shops at Deeside Activity Park near Aboyne (where they rear their own Cairnton Aberdeen Angus beef), Finzean Estate and Woodside Farm near Banchory.
Cambus O'May Cheese company is one of a a new breed of local businesses marketing and producing local produce. They are currently building new purpose built accommodation near Ballater.
One of the best known places to sample and buy top quality local produce is HM Sheridan of Ballater, a long established butcher where beef, lamb, pork, venison and game are all sourced locally and are used to make a wide range of unique products including 20 varieties of sausage and traditional black pudding and haggis.
Cambus O’May Cheese
All of our cheeses are handcrafted cheeses using unpasteurised milk from traditional recipes. Visit our website for our Cheese History, our Nutritional Guide and to browse in our online market.
The Creamery South Lodge Craigmyle Torphins , Aberdeenshire, AB31 4HP
Tel: 013398 89327
Email: scott@cambusomay.com
Buchanan Food & Barn Bistro
Honest thoughtful food cooked and served by a group of passionate individuals. Adjacent to Woodend Barn, we offer a unique space in which to eat, read, relax and converse. Morning coffee and afternoon tea, lunches, pre concert suppers and evening meals are all on offer. We use local seasonal produce, with over 60% being organic, plus a small but growing percentage from our two allotments.
We have a great selection of books to peruse and read with some available to buy as well as a small selection of useful or edible items. Our outdoor tables are popular on summer evenings and crisp winter mornings - the views are fantastic!
Special evenings with music, wine and food. Join our mailing list for advance notice. Visit soon and become part of our expanding community of regulars & friends. Open 7 days a week, 9am-10pm with flexible food offering.
Woodend Barn Burn O' Binnie , Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 5QA
Tel: 01330 826 530
Email: bistro@buchananfood.com
H M Sheridan
Delicious hot soup, hot pies and sandwiches and also one of the best known places to sample and buy top quality local produce. HM Sheridan of Ballater is a long established butcher where beef, lamb, pork, venison and game are all sourced locally and are used to make a wide range of unique products including 20 varieties of sausage and traditional black pudding and haggis. The website includes a variety of seasonal recipe ideas for making the most of local produce when it is at its very best.
HM Sheridan also provides an outside catering service using only the best of local produce. Please contact us for more information on all our products and services!
11 Bridge Street, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5QP
Tel: 013397 55218
Email: info@hmsheridan.co.uk
The Farm Garden
A weekly delivery service of freshly picked home grown seasonal vegetables for Ballater, Dinnet Aboyne and surrounding areas. Additional items include fresh eggs, hanging baskets, home made jams, marmalades, preserves and flower/ vegetable seedlings. All deliveries are free. We also sell our produce at local fairs and supply our Jams Marmalades and Preserves to local Hotels and Guest Houses and the Tourist Information Offices in Ballater and Braemar
Ballaterach Farmhouse No 2, Dinnet, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, AB34 5NX
Tel: 013398 80559
Email: thefarmgarden@btinternet.com
Finzean Estate Farm Shop & Tearoom
Quote from the newly launched 10th edition of Peter Irvine's book "Scotland the Best" - FINZEAN FARM SHOP, DEESIDE - "This one's fabulous, a new one for the book. It's not on the main road, but between Banchory and Aboyne, in an estate. Kate and Catriona run it and it's just lovely, looking out on to the mountains. A lot of food sold here is from the estate – meat and game – and loads of stuff they make themselves, carefully sourced and very well presented. It's really special – one of the best in Britain, I'd say. A real foodie destination."
Balnaboth Steading, Finzean, Aberdeenshire, AB31 6PA
Tel: 01330 850710
Email: catriona@finzean.com
R & D Gray Butcher
6 Invercauld Road, Braemar, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5YP
Tel: 01339 741206
Gow's Delicatessen
47 Bridge Street, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5QD
Tel: 01339 55741
The Howe Pantry
17-21 Main Street, Alford, Aberdeenshire, AB33 8QA
Tel: 01975 563784
Deeside Smokehouse
Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, AB34 5LL