DAY TOUR 1 FROM ABERDEEN OR BANCHORY
VISITING ATTRACTIONS & THE TOWNS OF ABERDEENSHIRE
THROUGH THE MEARNS, THE MOUNTAINS AND ROYAL DEESIDE
Aberdeen offers a huge choice of group accommodation and Aberdeen Harbour is also a popular port for smaller cruise ships.
Banchory also offers accommodation for small groups: outskirts: Tor-na-Coille (20 twins/doubles, 2 singles), Raemoir House (15 twins/doubles, 5 singles), Banchory Lodge (14 twins/doubles, 8 singles); in town: Burnett Arms (12 twins/doubles, 4 singles) offer a range of styles, standards and prices.
Both Banchory and Stonehaven also offer a good range of guest houses and B&Bs for individuals and families.
This round tour is ideal for groups centred in Aberdeen or Banchory or for cruise ship groups and offers stops at Stonehaven and/or Banchory and possible visits to a distillery, a stunning ruined castle and a choice of two wonderfully restored and furnished castles.
Distance (round trip): 80 miles/129 km
Time (estimate, allowing for 1 or 2 town stops and 2 or 3 visits): full day/8 hours
The tour can start in either Aberdeen or Banchory and can be operated in either direction, although it should be noted that Dunnottar Castle opens earlier in the morning than either Crathes or Drum Castles, although special arrangements can often be made for larger groups to outside normal opening hours.
Stonehaven and Banchory both offer a wide choice of coffee/tea and lunch options, either
pre-booked for groups or for pax to find themselves – allowing you to save on budgets/
margins, and them to spend the time as they wish and eat/drink what they want.
There is also excellent shopping in both towns.
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Optional visits |
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Dunnottar Castle
Tolbooth Museum
Stonehaven Open Air Pool (heated!)
Fettercairn Distillery
Crathes Castle and Gardens
Milton of Crathes Art & Craft Village
Drum Castle |
For small groups and individuals:
Boat tours from Stonehaven harbour
Hill of Nine Stanes (Mulloch) Stone Circle
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From Aberdeen follow signs for the A90 south (Forfar, Dundee, Perth)
Visit Stonehaven which has a busy, interesting town centre and picturesque harbour. Coach drop off around Market Square if possible or at bus stops in Barclay Street or Cameron Street. Toilets on Margaret Street (NW corner of Market Square; charge, 20p coin needed) and at harbour (currently free, may be charge later in 2006).
Coach parking on northern outskirts of town, opposite Leisure Centre or on Beach Esplanade by Leisure Centre/Outdoor Pool.
Options:
· Visit the Tolbooth Museum and the Harbour, marvel at the stunning geology of the cliffs and look out for wildlife – dolphins, porpoises, seals and seabirds
· Swim outdoors in warm, clean, salt water at the unique Outdoor Pool
· Walk on the beach and look out for fossils near the Highland Boundary Fault
· If no group visit, individuals could take the cliff walk to Dunnottar Castle to visit
· Free time in Stonehaven for shopping in a wide choice of shops, or for tea/coffee or lunch – wide choice (see Stonehaven fact file)
· Pre-booked coffee/lunch stop at choice of venues (see Stonehaven fact file)
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Central Aberdeen – Stonehaven 16 miles/26km
Driving time
½ hour
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From Stonehaven, follow signs for Forfar, Dundee then signs for Montrose and the A92
(Dunnottar Castle is signposted from the A92 after a short distance). Follow the A92, which gives some lovely coastal views. Just north of St Cyrus, turn west on the B9120 (signpost for Laurencekirk), crossing the Garvock Hill with views to Cairn o’ Mount and the Grampian Mountains. Turn south on the A90 (towards Forfar) then turn west again following the sign for Laurencekirk (this routing avoids a dangerous right turn onto the A90 for a coach). In Laurencekirk, follow the sign to Fettercairn (B9120).
At the roundabout in Fettercairn, the distillery is straight on (2nd exit), the Cairn o’ Mount road (B974) to Banchory is to the right (3rd exit).
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Stonehaven – Fettercairn 27 miles/43 km
Driving time
¾ hour |
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There is a lay-by at the summit of the road (just beyond the formal viewpoint); from here there are great views into the high Grampian and Cairngorm mountains (visibility permitting!)
At the T-junction at the foot of the mountain road, turn right towards Banchory.
Visit Banchory, the true gateway to Royal Deeside, a vibrant, town busy with visitors, locals, golfers and salmon fishers. Coach drop off and parking at Bellfield cark park (turn to south at traffic lights, coach park on left. Toilets to rear of car park; charge, 20p coin needed).
Options:
· Walk down to the River Dee and beyond – follow the road on the far side of the river to the Falls of Feugh
· Free time in Banchory for shopping in a wide choice of shops, including fashion boutiques which bring locals out from Aberdeen!
· Free time in Banchory for tea/coffee or lunch – wide choice (see Banchory fact file)
· Pre-booked coffee/lunch stop at choice of venues (see Stonehaven fact file)
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Fettercairn to Banchory
19 miles/31km
Driving time |
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From Banchory, follow either the main road A93 to Aberdeen, or cross the Dee and Falls of Feugh and return to Aberdeen on the B9077 (South Deeside Road) |
Banchory – Aberdeen
18 miles/29km |
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The towns
Stonehaven Population c. 11,000 Family links: Keith, Barclay, Arbuthnott Bypassed by A90
The county town of Kincardine since 1600, Stonehaven has a long tradition of being a good commercial and shopping centre. Today, it has a reputation as a friendly place to visit with interesting shopping. In the town centre, by the picturesque harbour, the beach and on the outskirts there are some lively cafés and pubs, as well as restaurants, hotels and excellent takeaways and interesting shopping. \Many are large enough for pre-booked group lunches etc, and there is a range of small hotels, guest houses and B&Bs with accommodation small groups and individuals.
Practical info: Best coach access from A90 (north and south exits). A90 Spurryhillock junction leads to low rail bridge (12ft/3.69m); also low rail bridge (13ft6in/4.15m) on direct route from Deeside (A957). Drop off at service bus stop in Barclay Street, close to shops, Market Square and Margaret Street public toilets (charge; 20p coin needed). If bus stop busy, turn immediate left to another stop (Cameron Street). Parking on north side of town, either on Beach esplanade by Open Air Pool or on road at vacant land by main road north to Aberdeen. Additional public toilets (currently free) at harbour and beach. Allow 1 – 1½ hr for shopping/coffee, etc, longer if lunch or attraction visit included. Some shops close for lunch 13.00-14.00 (1-2pm) and on Wednesday afternoons.
Full details in Stonehaven Fact File
The visits
1 Dunnottar Castle (Private ownership; Dunecht Estates) Tel (012569) 762173
Ruins of castle with parts dating from late 1200s in stunning clifftop location. One of locations used to film Zeffirelli’s “Hamlet”. Connections with William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, Charles II and the influential Keith family. Fascinating geological formations; seabirds including puffins can often be seen nearby.
Practical info: Leave A90 at the south exit for Stonehaven, which leads onto A92. Castle is signposted from A92 approx 1 mile/1.6km from A90. Car park (which is to be extended) often has no space for coaches, but possible to turn at farm road and drop off/park by car park. Castle is 15-20 mins walk from car park – over 100 steps lead down almost to sea level, with rough path and more, old steps back up to castle level – but it’s worth the walk! Less able visitors may be happy just to view castle from car park or edge of cliff. The cliffs are also dangerous – warn pax to stay on path! Allow 5 mins from A90 and at least 1½ hr for visit, including walk to/from castle. Toilets at castle, but not at car park. Castle guide book and postcards on sale at ticket office in castle.
2 Tolbooth Museum (Aberdeenshire Council) Tel (01771) 622906
The Tolbooth is the oldest building in Stonehaven, built as a grainstore for the Keith family of Dunnottar Castle, in 1600 it became the courthouse when Stonehaven became the county town of Kincardine. Today, it houses an interesting museum which interprets local history and fishing, and displays a replica of the fossils of the oldest air-breathing creature known on Earth, the Pneumodesmus Newmani. The fossil dates back around 428 million years and was found nearby.
Practical info: On the Old Pier, Stonehaven Harbour; pax can easily walk from town centre via signposted beachfront boardwalk (harbour access not easy for large coaches). Small gift shop. Toilets and car park and nearby. Sailings dependent on sea conditions.
3 Stonehaven Open Air Swimming Pool (Friends of Stonehaven Outdoor Pool/Aberdeenshire Council) Tel (01569) 762134 www.stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk
Unique outdoor, Olympic-size art-deco style pool where you can swim in clean, seawater heated to around 28°C/82°F. Surrounding wall shelters pool and terraces from North Sea breezes. Café toilets, inc disabled. Access lift into water for pax with some disabilities. Concerts, an “Aqua Ceilidh”! and midnight swimming in season.
Practical info: Open early June – mid Sept. At north end of Stonehaven beside Leisure Centre. Coaches can drop off and pick up in car park if space allows, or on road adjacent. Parking adjacent on Beach esplanade.
4 Sea Stonehaven Boat Tours (Maritime Rescue Institute) Tel Tickets (01569) 762806 or (01224) 288828, option 1.
Unique tours, guided by professional local “Blue Badge” guide giving insight into the geology, wildlife and history of the area including Dunnottar Castle, and also tales from the old local fishermen and lifeboatmen. Seal and seabirds can usually be seen; often also dolphins, porpoises and the occasional minke whale. A percentage from each ticket sold is donated to MRI who operate a search and rescue service and the lifeboats for the coast north and south of Stonehaven, independent of the better-known RNLI.
Practical info: max 11 passengers, pre-booking vital; charters possible splitting a larger group. Tours leave from the Old Pier; pax can easily walk from town centre via signposted beachfront boardwalk (harbour access not easy for large coaches). Steep steps to access boat.
5 Fettercairn Distillery (Whyte & Mackay) Tel (01561) 340205
Picturesque malt whisky distillery on the edge of Fettercairn village in the fertile Howe o’ the Mearns. One of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland producing Fettercairn 1824 12 year old single malt and supplying malt whisky for a range of blended Scotch including Whyte & Mackays.
Practical info: From the A90 northbound, leave the A90 at the Crosspoles junction (B974 signposted Fettercairn & distillery). One the edge of Fettercairn, follow HGV diversion to avoid narrow/low archway. From A90 southbound, follow first sign for Fettercairn (B966). At roundabout in centre of village, take second exit (Distillery Road). Distillery is on right. Most coaches turn at next minor road and return to drop pax at entrance/steps to Visitor Centre, where coach can park. Access to distillery yard (with level access to visitor Centre) also possible. Video presentation in Visitor Centre with welcome dram. Gift shop, toilets, inc disabled.Visitor centre and parts of distillery accessible to most visitors, but like all distilleries, there are steps and a lot of background noise, so it is not ideal for visitors with some disabilities. Allow 20 mins from A90 and at least 1¼ hr for visit.
6 Hill of Nine Stanes/Mulloch
Atmospheric Stone Circle, in the forest on Mulloch Hill, which originally featured 8 stones plus recumbent stone and two flankers. One stone is now missing and another reduced to a stump; hence the name. Within the stone circle is a large ring cairn with a central space containing a pit which when excavated was found to contain charcoal and cremated bone. These cannot be seen, but the pit is still clearly visible.
Practical info: From the B974 (“Cairn o’ Mount” Road) turn east on the unclassified road just before the T junction at Strachan. Follow the road for approx 4 miles/6.5km; there is first a small car park on the left, then a lay-by with pole gate across the forest track, with a small car park slightly farther on. The stones can be seen from the small lay-by, and are just a few metres walk along the track and into the forest. Can also be approached from A957 “Slug Road”, and this road can also be used to continue to Banchory. Allow 5 mins from B947 and approx 15 mins for visit, depending on interest level and group size.
7 Falls of Feugh
Attractive falls on River Feugh, just above its confluence with the River Dee, where salmon can often be seen leaping – and heron seen fishing for salmon!
Practical info: From Bellfield car/coach park turn left and drive or walk down over the bridge and follow the road to the left. After a short distance, turn left over the bridge (walkers should use second, pedestrian bridge). Car/coach park on right just beyond bridge. Allow 5 mins by coach from A93 in Banchory and approx 20 mins for visit, depending on group size, weather and interest level.
8 Milton of Crathes Craft Village and Royal Deeside Railway (private ownership) Tel (restaurant) (01330) 844566 http://www.themilton.co.uk/complex.asp
A range of shops and galleries with interesting stock, craft items and art and restaurant. Within the same development are the restored carriages and relaid railway line of the Deeside Railway Preservation Society who plan to operate trains again between Banchory and Milton of Crathes.
Practical info: Off south side of A93 almost opposite entrance to Crathes Castle. Good coach access for drop off, turning and parking. Toilets (for shoppers too) at restaurant. Allow ¾ hr – 1 hr for visit, depending on group size and interest level; longer for lunch/tea/coffee stop.
9 Crathes Castle (National Trust for Scotland) Tel (01330) 844525 http://www.nts.org.uk/web/site/home/visit/places/Property.asp?PropID=10082&NavPage=10082&NavId=5108
A magnificent tower house dating from the 1500s with fascinating defensive features, wonderful painted ceilings and superb antiques including some of the original furniture including a carved oak 4-poster bed. The lands of Crathes were gifted to the Burnett family by King Robert the Bruce after the Battle of Bannockburn; they were also given a hunting horn as a symbol of ownership of the land – this can still be seen in the Great Hall of Crathes. The gardens are said to be the best in Scotland, and second only to Sissinghurst in the UK. Skytrek is due to open in 2006 and offers fun for all ages – mostly at high level! Not for the faint hearted, but destined to be great fun!
Practical info: Well signposted from A93. Good coach access and parking. Paths are steep for wheelchair users; spiral stairs mean only ground floor of castle may be accessible to less able pax. New visitor centre, shop cafe and toilets wheelchair friendly. Allow 10 mins from A93 and at least 1½ hrs for visit – longer for specialist garden groups and those wanting to try/watch Skytrek.
10 Drum Castle (National Trust for Scotland) Tel (01330) 811204 http://www.nts.org.uk/web/site/home/visit/places/Property.asp?PropID=10083&NavPage=10083&NavId=5108
The keep or tower of Drum dates at least from 1280, and is thought to be one of the oldest in Scotland. Gifted to the Irvine family by Robert the Bruce after the battle of Bannockburn, the castle was added to in the Jacobean and Georgian periods. The grounds include part of the original Caledonian Forest and a fascinating Garden of Historic Roses.
Practical info: Well signposted from the A93. Good coach access and parking. Main part of castle easily accessible to most abilities; upper floors and original keep may not be. Small tea room, toilets, inc disabled, and gift shop. Allow 5 mins from A93 and at least 1½ hr for visit.
Entry charges (2006 unless otherwise indicated)
1 Dunnottar Castle
2 Tolbooth Museum
3 Stonehaven Outdoor Swimming Pool
4 Sea Stonehaven Boat Tours
£20 per person. 10% group discount.
5 Fettercairn Distillery
Adults £2.00
6 Hill of Nine Stanes
Free
7 Falls of Feugh
Free
8 Milton of Crathes Craft Village
Free; purchases charged individually
9 Drum Castle (National Trust for Scotland)
10 Crathes Castle (National Trust for Scotland)
Please note
All group visits to attractions and group meals and coffee/tea stops MUST be pre-booked!
This itinerary has been prepared by the Aberdeenshire Towns Together Forum to assist with your tour planning and encourage you to visit the fascinating, beautiful and friendly towns of Aberdeenshire. Information is believed to be accurate at the time of printing (Feb 2006) and has been complied with assistance of one of Scotland’s professional Blue Badge Tourist Guides. We therefore believe that suggested timings given are practical, but understand that each group is different, with a variety of interests, and we therefore recommend that you keep this in mind when finalising your itinerary.
Unless otherwise stated, all attractions listed are open in the main season, generally from March/April to September/October. Opening details are not included, as many attractions will open specially outwith their normal days/hours for larger groups. For more information, use the phone and website contacts given, or see www.aberdeen-grampian.com or www.visitscotland.com
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