Deeside is where Aberdeenshire meets the Cairngorms National Park, and where the snow-fed River Dee starts its journey from mountain to sea. Roam free here for miles, across grand Highland estates; beneath wind-washed cathedral pines; by still, dark lochs and along crystal-clear rivers where salmon come to spawn.
Traditions and roots run deep here
Communities are strong. Doric – the language, the poetry and especially the music – is very much alive. Along the valley, every village has its Highland Games. This is a landscape shaped and stewarded by hundreds of generations of hunters, farmers, foresters, and the clans that gathered here centuries ago still gather today. Granite walls, legendary castles and mysterious standing stones tell a long history of settlement. This heritage, this depth, these lovely landscapes and these long traditions all combine to create a place that feels like a warm embrace.
From golfing and skiing to Highland games and farmers' markets, it’s all on your doorstep
VisitAberdeenshire showcases what's on across the region. But here are some of our favourite treats on offer in breathtaking Royal Deeside, just a stone's throw from your comfortable base at Glen Tanar:
Activities
Deeside Gliding Club: The foremost wave soaring site in the British Isles with the UK altitude record of 38600.
Deeside Activity Park has an impressive range of both family-friendly and adrenaline-fuelled activities.
Arts and Culture
Butterworth Gallery houses original fine art and high quality prints by renowned Scottish landscape artist Howard Butterworth and his daughter Mary Louise. Featuring in many private collections, including the Royal Collection, their highly-sought after work is treasured by many.
McEwan Gallery specialises in Scottish and European paintings, and watercolours of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries by British artists.
Farmers' Markets
Aboyne Farmers Market on the Green in Aboyne on the second Saturday of every month, between 10am and 2pm
Banchory Farmers Market at Bellfield car park in Banchory on the third Saturday of every month
Ballater Farmers Market at Ballater Glenmuick Church Green on the fourth Saturday of every month from May until October, between 10am and 2pm
Golf
Aboyne Golf Club is a picturesque 18-hole by the Loch of Aboyne, just a 15-minute drive from Glen Tanar.
Ballater Golf Course is an 18-hole par 70 course, lying by the River Dee.
Inchmarlo Golf Course, Banchory is a 9-hole with a 20-bay driving range and short game area.
Highland Games
Aboyne Highland Games is held annually on the first Saturday in August in Aboyne. For more than 140 years, it's attracted thousands of visitors to experience Scottish culture in one of the most scenic parts of Aberdeenshire.
Ballater Victoria Week is one for the whole family. Held in the second week of August every year, events and activities include a duck race, pet show, picnic, Sunday parade and fayre, and music.
Braemar Gathering is held annually on the first Saturday in September in The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar. There have been gatherings at Braemar since the days of King Malcolm Canmore 900 years ago. But since 2011 it has been run by Braemar Royal Highland Charity.
Skiing
Glenshee Ski & Snowboard Centre is less than an hour from Glen Tanar. It has 22 lifts and 36 runs and equipment can be hired on-site.
Lecht 2090 Resort is just 50 minutes from Glen Tanar. It sits 645m above sea level and has 12 lifts for skiing or snowboarding. Again, equipment is available for hire.
Swimming
Deeside Community Centre in Aboyne is just 10 minutes from Glen Tanar. There’s a 25m pool, male and female changing rooms, and disabled access.
Hilton Craigendarroch Living Well Health Club is 20 minutes from Glen Tanar, in Ballatar. Guests can take a day membership to enjoy the 55ft lagoon pool and the sauna, steam room and spa bath.
Whisky
Royal Lochnagar Distillery, next to Balmoral Castle, is one of Scotland’s finest distilleries. It offers regular public tours, guiding you through the whisky-making stages and processes.
Dalwhinnie Distillery is tucked away in a remote but accessible location. The Dalwhinnie 15-year-old single malt scotch whisky is also known as the ‘gentle spirit’. Your visit will include a distillery tour and a whisky-making demonstration.
Tomintoul Distillery sits in the picturesque Glenlivet Estate, within the whisky producing region of Speyside. Did you know Tomintoul is the highest village in the Scottish Highlands?
Glenlivet Distillery, set in a remote glen in Ballindalloch, has an award-winning visitor centre with a range of tours.
Fettercairn Distillery is one of Scotland’s oldest malt whisky distilleries. It’s nestled at the foot of the Cairngorms and takes spring water from the mountains.
For details about the many more distilleries in Aberdeenshire, read the "Secret Malts of Aberdeenshire".
