Population c. 6,500               Family links: Burnett; Irvine           

In the valley of the River Dee (Royal Deeside) and on the attractive A93 Deeside Tourist Route which links Perth and Aberdeen, Banchory is 18 miles west of Aberdeen.

The largest of the towns and villages on Deeside, Banchory has long benefited from the valley’s Royal connections. Today, the wide range of independently-owned shops attract both visitors and also shoppers from Aberdeen, particularly for fashions and gifts. There is also a huge choice of cafés, pubs, restaurants, hotels and quality takeaways for coffee/lunch etc. in the town centre and in country settings on the outskirts. Many are large enough for pre-booked group lunches etc. The largest hotel (outskirts) offers 24 twins/doubles for group accommodation.

Practical info: Drop off in High street at bus stops, but Bellfield car & coach park is a very short walk, with coach stances almost adjacent to Dee Street which also has a selection of shops and places to eat. Toilets (charge; 20p coin needed) at rear of car park. Allow 1 – 1½ hrs for shopping/ coffee etc, longer if lunch included.

What’s unique?

• Crathes Castle with its renowned stunning gardens (nearby)
• Drum Castle with its ancient tower dating from the 1280s (nearby)
• Birthplace of “Strathspey King” Scott Skinner
• New for 2006! Skytrek: high-level, white-knuckle experiences for most ages! (nearby)

What’s fun?

• Exploring Crathes Castle, with painted ceilings and original defence features and furniture (nearby)
• Golf at Inchmarlo Golf Centre or Banchory Golf course
• Scrambling – in relative safety – round the Skytrek high-level assault course, or one of the tamer options (nearby)
• Shopping at Milton of Crathes craft village (nearby), and in the wide range of shops in Banchory
• Watching the salmon leap at the Falls of Feugh (nearby)
• Taking in concerts and events at Woodend Barn nearby or outdoors “on the lawn” at Crathes Castle

What else to do?

• Following in Royal footsteps, exploring Royal Deeside
• Riverside and forest walks, by the Dee, at Crathes or on Scolty Hill
• Fishing in the Rivers Dee or Feugh or at Raemoir Fishery on the edge of town
• Marvelling at the restored railway carriages and relaid line – and perhaps travelling by train from Banchory to Crathes (short section due to open during 2006)

Where to eat

A wide selection of pubs, cafés, small hotels, restaurants and quality take-aways cater for individuals and groups of all sizes, including:

Riverside

• Falls of Feugh Restaurant & Tearoom (01330) 822123: max seating 34 (extension under construction)
• Banchory Lodge Hotel (01330) 822625 : max seating 130

Town Centre

• Burnett Arms Hotel (01330) 824944 : max seating 55 + 129
• Douglas Arms Hotel (01330) 822547 : max seating 30 + 100
• Stag Hotel (01330) 824671 : max seating 48
• The Sheiling (01330) 823278 : max seating 40
• Dudleys (01330) 822326 : max seating
• Pennyfarthing Tearoom (01330) 82 : max seating
• St Tropez (01330) 822216 : max seating 32

Country surroundings

• Tor-na-Coille Hotel (edge of town) (01330) 822242: max seating 70
• Inchmarlo Golf Centre (edge of town) (01330) 826422 : max seating 90
• Raemoir Garden Centre (edge of town) (01330) 825059 : max seating 112
• Crathes Castle Restaurant, café and takeaway (nearby) (01330) 844525 : max seating 60 (rest) 48 (café)
• Raemoir House Hotel (nearby) (01330) 824884 : max seating 40
• Milton of Crathes Restaurant (nearby) (01330) 844566 : max seating 80-100

Where to stay

For small groups, Tor-na-Coille (20 twins/doubles, 2 singles), Raemoir House (15 twins/doubles, 5 singles), Banchory Lodge (14 twins/doubles, 8 singles) and the Burnett Arms (12 twins/doubles, 4 singles) offer a range of styles, standards and prices.

For individuals and families there is also a good range of guest houses and B&Bs in and around the town.

Practicalities – loos & parking

Coach drop off/pick up & parking (several designated coach bays)

Bellfield Car park, Dee street, adjacent to town centre shops etc

Also:

Crathes Castle (nearby; for visitors only)

Drum Castle (nearby; for visitors only

Brig of Feugh Car Park (nearby)

Car parking

Bellfield Car Park (pay and display)

Street Parking (free)

Brig of Feugh (free)

Crathes Castle (pay and display; free for National Trust of Scotland members)

Toilets

Bellfield Car Park (close to coach parking bays); attendant; 20p (20p coin required, no change available)

For More Information, visit our main websites

http://www.banchory.org/ 

http://www.visitbanchory.com/