Torphins & Lumphanan
Torphins rests in a valley surrounded by rolling hills and rich farmland. Just six miles north west of Banchory, it was a small settlement until the arrival of the railway in the mid 19th century. With a good selection of local shops and sports facilities, it has grown to become one of the largest villages in Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms.
Stroll through the sleepy village and you will uncover more than a few historic treasures. The Deeside Railway line – used by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert when they travelled by Royal carriage to Ballater – passed through this area until 1966 and the charming bridges and buttresses that scatter the village are testimony to this. In 1898, Joseph Walker opened his first bakery in the village - more than one hundred years later Walkers Shortbread is a household name and the original bakery building in Bridge Cresent can still be seen.
Dense pathways weaving through Caledonian pine forests can be found in this beautiful part of Deeside, making it ideal for a spot of wildlife watching – the endangered red squirrel is a common find on the nearby Learney estate. After exploring to your heart’s content, try afternoon tea with tasty home bakes at Platform 22 – a ceramic gift shop, with coffee shop attached.
A traditional Scottish celebration can be experienced at Torphin’s annual village gala with a host of fun filled activities for all the family, including a Mini Highland Games and parade.
Nearby, the smaller village of Lumphanan, which was predominantly built in the late 19th century, is also steeped in history. It was here a fierce battle took place in 1057 which saw Macbeth, the King of Scotland, mortally wounded. Macbeth's Stone and Macbeth's Well attract large numbers of visitors every year eager to trace the history of the Scottish noble.
Lumphanan is an ideal base for a variety of outdoor activities, including walking, hiking, cycling, canoeing, golfing, fishing or just touring around. For those serious about sport, local experts Running the Highlands will arrange tailored runs for you taking in some of the most picturesque trails in Deeside. Lumphanan’s renowned Detox Fun Run is held every January and attracts participants from as far afield as Canada.
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
Perkhill Holiday Cottages
Come and relax in our enviromentally friendly, recently renovated cottages in the heart of a family run farm known for its prize winning herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle. Choose between three properties located on a south facing hill, just outside the historic village of Lumphanan. "Macbeths Retreat" nestles beside Lumphanan burn and sleeps up to 6 people, "Lady Macbeths Rest" offers cosy accommodation for 4 and "King Duncans View" enjoys spectacular views over the hills whilst comfortably sleeping up to 8 people, including disabled access. All the cottages have underfloor heating provided in part by our biomass boiler, wood burning stoves, ipod docking stations, flat screen TVs with DVD player, fully equipped kitchens, Wi-fi, private parking and dogs are welcome in Macbeths Retreat. An ideal location for exploring Royal Deeside, skiing in the mountains or visiting the granite city of Aberdeen.
Bankhead, Lumphanan, AB31 4RB
Tel: 013398 83636
Email: philippa@alexdavie.co.uk
WalkDeeside Ltd.
WalkDeeside Ltd. is a family-run provider of outdoor activities and walking holidays in Royal Deeside, the Cairngorms and beyond. With a team of qualified guides and instructors, we offer an exciting range of guided adventures, walking holidays, map and compass/mountain skills and NNAS-accredited navigation courses.
Our Deeside Safaris offer an excellent way to explore the best of Royal Deeside’s natural and cultural jewels in one day, with a Safari to suit all abilities and tastes, including our Walking Safari, Car Safari, Mountain Safari, Wildlife Safari and 4x4 Safari. Click here for details of our Royal Deeside Mystery Tour and our Walk and Talk with WalkDeeside Outdoor Activities & Walking Holidays.
All of our activities are based on providing an opportunity for you to achieve and be inspired within the natural environment. WalkDeeside is a Gold Award winner of the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
1 Balnastraid Cottages, Dinnet, Aberdeenshire, AB34 5NE
Tel: 013398 80081
Email: info@walkdeeside.com
Cairnton Farm Cottages
Cairnton Farm Cottages originally started life as 3 farm outbuildings, now they are 3 self catering cottages to sleep between 1 and 7 guests. They have been finished to a very high standard with all the mod cons of a mordern home, underfloor heating, fully fitted kitchen with dishwasher and washing machine but all being on the grounds of a working Aberdeen Angus Farm.
The cottages are only 2 miles away from Deeside Activity Park which has various activities from Kart Racing to Quad Biking and Paintballing to Clay Pigeon Shooting. Staying at The Cottages will get you a 10% discount at the park!
Dess, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB34 5BD
Tel: 013398 83536
Email: info@deesideactivitypark.com
DeeTour Ltd
Tours, Activities & Adventure on Royal Deeside.
15 Battock Terrace , Torphins, Aberdeenshire, AB31 4JD
Email: sarah@deetour.co.uk
Burnhead Bed and Breakfast
Burnhead Bed and Breakfast offers modern comfort and friendly hospitality. Guests are afforded superb views across the valley and can enjoy walks throught the surrounding countryside or enjoy fishing in our private trout stocked pond where they may receive a visit from a local osprey. Roe deer are also frequent guests as are many wild birds.
Perkhill, Lumphanan, AB31 4RB
Tel: 013398 83687
Email: facburnhead@tiscali.co.uk
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
Learney Arms Hotel
The Square, Torphins, AB31 4GP
Tel: 013398 82202