The Area
Royal Deeside
We are very lucky..
to live in such a spectacular part of Scotland. Royal Deeside, which runs from the Cairngorms in the west to Aberdeen in the east, often doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. But there’s a reason that Queen Victoria, and subsequent generations of the royal family, choose to make Balmoral their holiday home of choice.
Named after that royal connection and the famous River Dee which has its source in Braeriach, the UK’s third highest peak, Royal Deeside follows the course of the river as it winds its way to the sea in Aberdeen. Flowing past the charming towns of Braemar, Ballater, Aboyne and Banchory, the countryside morphs from dramatic in the west to gentle as you travel further east. The North East 250 passes our doorstep and the old Deeside railway line once ran straight through our land. Visit the restored section of railway at Crathes to learn more about the history of Royal Deeside.
Geography
We enjoy a particularly pleasant microclimate, a result of the Grampian mountains beyond, and our nearest town Aboyne regularly records the hottest temperatures in the UK during summer months. Despite this, our lush countryside shows the benefits of regular rain fall and we enjoy proper seasons, as demonstrated by the fact that two of Scotland’s best ski resorts, Glenshee and The Lecht, are located within an hour of our farm.
Royal Deeside is truly an outdoor adventure playground. In addition to our own outdoor activity park, walking, skiing, golf, fishing and mountain biking are just some of the many outdoor activities available to visitors to this area. Royal Lochnagar, standing at 1156 metres, is one of Scotland’s most popular munros and for those who like a more gentle stroll, Loch Muick at its foot or the beautiful Glen Tanar Estate provide excellent alternatives.
Lifestyle
If outdoor activities aren’t your thing, we are in castle country, with many historic properties, including Crathes, Drum, Craigievar and Braemar all within easy reach of our cottages. And, if you fancy a tipple, visit Royal Lochnagar Distillery for one of the finest Scottish single malts, or Lost Loch Spirits where we can personally recommend their eeNoo gin.
For eating out, come and see us at Deeside Activity Park for a delicious lunch menu featuring our own Cairnton Aberdeen Angus beef or pop to nearby Aboyne, where there are a number of renowned eating places including The Boat Inn and The Black Faced Sheep amongst others. Further west in Ballater, the luxurious Rothesay Rooms is located in The Old Royal Station which was recently rebuilt following a devastating fire in 2015. We’d be happy to recommend other local restaurants and coffee shops at your request.