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The beautiful Cairngorms National Park,
with its fine mountains and glens, is home to a unique variety of
wildlife - red deer, grouse, and mountain hare. Quaint villages are
nestled in terraced steps along the River Dee and in the mountain passes of
the Lecht and Glen Shee ('Glen of the Fairies').
Family activities abound through purpose-built Activity Parks and through
off-season programmes at the ski centres.
Community Festivals such as the Aboyne and Deeside Festival offer guided
village walks exploring varying facets of local history and culture.
HILLWALKING
& MOUNTAINEERING
The area is ideal for hillwalking and mountaineering - and many 'walks' are
available as guided or independent tours to suit a wide variety of skill and
exertion. Many natural sightseeing walks are centered in the four nature
reserves of Morrone Birkwood, Glen Muick, Glen Tanar and the Muir of Dinnet.
In addition, privately managed estates such as Mar Lodge, maintain extensive
networks of trails offering regularly scheduled events. It is also
possible to trek on private estates through Scotlands Outdoor Access scheme
and by making use of the local 'Hillphone' information system for public
safety during stalking season.
Cairgorms National Park: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/braemar.shtml
Scotland's National Nature Reserves http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/
Morrone Birkwood - ancient birch wood - walk from village of Braemar - scenic
view of nine Munros, including Ben MacDui.
Glen Muick - glen leading to Loch Muick and famed mountain Lochnagar on
Balmoral Estate, 8 miles south-west from Ballater on the Balmoral Estate. 5
mile walk around Loch Muick past Glasalt Falls and QV's 'hideaway' cottage. http://www.balmoralcastle.com
Muir of Dinnet - nature reserve surrounding Loch Kinord and site of an ancient
habitation, mid-way between Ballater and Aboyne. http://www.walkdeeside.com
Glen Tanar - nature preserve along the course of the River Tanar, is famed for
its native Caledonian pinewood. Catch a glimpse of Scotland's elusive birds -
the crossbill and capercaillie. Glen Tanar Estate is a charitable organization
promoting farming, forestry and field sport alongside nature conservation and
informal recreation. www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/rangerservice and www.activeaboyne.co.uk/
Scottish Natural Heritage - learn about the area's unique flora and fauna -
free pdf. publications - http://www.snh.org.uk/
North-East
Glens pdf.
GUIDED NATURE WALKS
Ballater
Walking Week - mid-May - a week of organised walks (hikes) designed for
walkers of all capabilities from 'Munro-baggers' to those who like a gentle
stroll. The week ends with a traditional ceilidh. www.royal-deeside.org.uk/
Balmoral Estate - Balmoral Woodland Walks - http://www.balmoralcastle.com/
Mar Lodge Estate (Lin of Dee, Glen Quoich, Doire Bhraghad, The Lairig Ghru - http://www.marlodgeestate.org.uk/
Glen Tanar - www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/rangerservice
and www.activeaboyne.co.uk/
Muir
of Dinnet - guided walking tours www.walkdeeside.com
Active
Aboyne Outdoor Activities Festival - mid September - centered around Glen
Tanar - www.activeaboyne.co.uk/
The
Caledonian Challenge - end of Sept - major long distance walking event
taking in Royal Deeside - Caledonian Challenge
SELF-GUIDED NATURE WALKS
Cairngorms
Walks - http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/braemar.shtml
Self-Guided
Walking Routes - Aberdeen NEKF Hill Walking and Cycling - http://www.peatandheather.com/
Walking World - available by paid subscription - Walks
centered in Royal Deeside (Crathie)
Map
Reading and Mountain Navigation Courses (NNAS certifications) http://www.walkdeeside.com
Open-Access
on Private Sporting Estates: a quote from the Invercauld Estate (of
which the Mains of Monaltrie belongs) "The track passes through birch
woods and open moorland and can be quite rough so good walking shoes and
outdoor clothing are essential. An accurate map is also recommended. It also
passes through working farmland and there are a number of gates which must be
securely closed behind you to prevent sheep straying. This is a working
Highland sporting estate with regular game hunting between August and February
and breeding throughout the year. Please stick to the paths and look out for
and respect notices during the hunting season." Open Access - http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/
The
Hillphone System - Recorded messages are left by local estates describing
planned stalking (hunting) activities each day from July to October.
Guidelines for open access on Estates with stalking beats: keep to the main
paths and ridges, avoid cutting down through corries in your descent (this is
where stalking will be underway) and to avoid unnecessary noise. Keep all dogs
under firm control to prevent any harm being done to wildlife, especially in
Spring and early summer when young creatures are very vulnerable. "
GLENSHEE...01250 885288 CALLATER and CLUNIE...013397 41997 INVERCAULD...013397
1911. http://www.snh.org.uk/hillphones/
WALKS
from OFF-SEASON SKI CENTRES
The
Lecht Ski Centre - off season activities http://www.lecht.co.uk/
Chairlift rides - great views of Ben Avon, Lochnagar and the Cairngorms.
Glen Shee - off-season activities - Walks, state tracks, mountains and munroes
within 14 mile radius of the Cairnwell Pass. http://www.glenofthefairies.co.uk/Activities-g.asp
and Walking
World's Guide to GlenShee
VILLAGE
SIGHTSEEING
After the 17th century Uprisings which saw the demise of many estate houses
(including that of Monaltrie House which the Mains served), the Deeside
villages of Ballater, Banchory and Aboyne underwent a grand building
phase connecting through to Inverness by commissioned series of roads and
beautiful arch-bridges. Glittering granite stone cottages in
mountain-surrounded villages are tucked into terraced villages along the
sparkling Dee - a favourite retreat of various authors and artists, and the
summer home of Britain's Royal Family.
Auchtavan
- remnants of a pre-industrial community on the Invercauld Estate, A 4 km walk
from A93, north-east of Braemar. Mill and cottage - open days and access to
the cottage http://www.auchtavan.com/
Self Guided Tours - such as this walking tour of Ballater 'Seven Bridges and
Knock Castle' - an vine-overgrown ruin within town - http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/seven-bridges.shtml
Guided Walks exploring the architecture and history of various villages -
often set in mid-September to coincide with the influx of visitors around the
Braemar Gathering (Highland Games):
“Ballater
to Aboyne on the Deeside Way – a guided walk” with Aberdeenshire Ranger
Service - mid September - www.activeaboyne.co.uk/
and Tarland History Walk” with Jan & Nigel healey of the Cromar History
Group - mid September - www.activeaboyne.co.uk/
The walks are different every year.
Royal Deeside Railway - visitor centre at Crathes Castle near Banchory -
commissioned in 1845 the Deeside Railway was one of the region's most scenic
railway lines running from Aberdeen to Banchory in the Dee Valley. Used for
many years by the Royal Family en route to Balmoral Castle, it is now possible
to travel by rail carriage along an extended length of track with spectacular
riverside views. http://www.deeside-railway.co.uk/index.php
RUNNING
Balmoral Castle Road Races - late April, hosted by the Balmoral CAstle Estate,
and one of the most scenic 10km foot races in the world.
Royal Deeside Adventure Triathlon & Duathlon – earlyl May - Braemar to
Aberdeen - www.fleet-feet.com
Deeside Team Relay - end of May - http://www.runningthehighlands.com/
Lairig Ghru Ultra Marathon Hill Race - mid June - www.deesiderunners.com/resources/lairigentry.htm
The Creag Choinnich Challenge, Braemar - 6 mile race - www.creagchoinnichchallenge.org.uk/
Ballater 10 Mile Race Weekend - end of July - www.runningthehighlands.com
"Glenshee 9" - Hill Race involving 9 munros! - early Aug - www.glenshee9.co.uk
CYCLING and DRIVING
Self-Guided Cycling Routes - Aberdeen NEKF Hill Walking and Cycling - http://www.peatandheather.com/
Many of these routes can be driven in a car.
Cycle Cairngorm - a 2-day charity cycle around the beautiful Cairngorms
National Park covering 170 miles of spectacular mountain scenery. The circuit
starts at Badaguish Outdoor Centre, near Aviemore, the route runs through
Tomintoul and over the Lecht finishing in Ballater for an overnight stop. The
route continues via Braemar before the climb up to Glenshee Ski Centre. The
route continues south through Kirkmicheal and Pitlochry and then returns north
through Newtonmore and Kingussie.
National Bike Week - Guided Bike Rides in Ballater - mid June - www.cyclehighlands.com
Ballater Bike Safari - mid-Aug - Ballater www.cyclehighlands.com
Active Aboyne Outdoor Activities Festival - mid September - cycling tours of
Glen Muick on the Balmoral Estate - www.activeaboyne.co.uk/
DRIVES
Here is just one idea, experiencing what an original "highlands drive'
would have been like:
Glen
Dye and Clachnaben (hill): Experience the twists and turns of the original
south access road to Royal Deeside. Banchory to Fettercairn via the village of
Strachan. Bridge of Feugh (salmon leaping), horse-shaped valley flanked by
Mount Kerloch, Peter Hill. Roadside lookout over Cairn of Mount and 'Thieves
Bush' ravine historically famous for its highwaymen. Glen Dye with remnants of
former habitations opening to a heather moorland and former bridges that
indicate the old road was even more twisted. The lower slopes of the valley
are quite wooded but trees give way to open heather moorland. Clachnaben (
Clach-na-Beinn – stone of the mountain) is a very distinctive hill with a
great granite outcrop near its peak. This hill was one of two mountains
visible to mariners who aimed between them to reach Aberdeen.
ANGLING
Fly Fishing covered in Country Sporting
Deeside Activity Park -
offers fishing for rainbow and brook trout on our own private loch.
ARCHERY & SHOOTING
Deeside Activity Park, near
Aboyne, boasts the only fully automatic archery range in Europe and it's
undercover, so the ideal wet weather activity. Also offers Clay Shooting with
instruction for novice to intermediate shooters.
RIDING & PONY TREKKING
Glentanar Equestrian Centre,
near Aboyne, offers safe, quality riding along riverside, woodland and
mountain trails. One hour rides take you round the loch, into the Ancient Wood
of Caledon, along and through the Water of Tanar. Two hour rides pass through
the river and woodland up into the mountains to enjoy spectacular views. A
range of ponies and horses and qualified, friendly staff ensure memorable
riding for children and adults.
OFF-ROAD
ADVENTURE, VEHICLE TOURS
Landrover tours in Glen Tanar - Morning/Afternoon/Evening - http://www.activeaboyne.co.uk/
Deeside Activity Park near
Aboyne has its own off-road driving course, with gentle and more extreme
sections. The Park uses Mitsubishi L200's and Landrovers for off-road driving.
The Lecht Ski Centre - off season
activities includes an exciting 1.6k mountain bike track with berms, drop offs
and some table tops.
FAMILY
ACTIVITIES
KART RACING
Deeside Activity Park - 375 m
asphalt racing circuit uses ZIP 160 Honda racing karts. Full safety brief,
helmets, track walk and flag recognition training.
The Lecht Ski Centre - off season
activities - Deval Karts - you don't need to be a devil to drive one! Karts
have steering and brakes, but no engine. Low pressure balloon tyres to drive
down the hill on track. Fun Karts - zap round the fun track in a
dune-buggy-style kart. Teeth-rattling fun for everyone from age 10.
QUAD BIKING
Deeside
Activity Park near Aboyne. The Park uses Honda quad bikes that are easy to
master and provide safety gear, along with very experienced instructors. Bikes
are available for 8 - 12 year olds, 12 - 16 year olds and over. .
The Lecht Ski Centre - off season
activities - Quad Biking on a special track around the foot of the hill. Great
fun for all, from age 6.
AVIATION
Deeside Gliding Club near Aboyne welcomes pilots from throughout the UK and
offers trial lessons for novices - www.deesideglidingclub.co.uk
GOLF
Royal Deeside Golf week - mid-May - Ballater Golf Club - www.ballatergolfclub.co.uk/
ABOYNE
Aboyne Golf Club www.aboynegolfclub.co.uk
[review]
The front nine course is a lush tree-lined parkland while most of the homeward
section is rugged heathland.
Loch of Aboyne Golf Centre. http://www.thelodgeontheloch.com
a new 9-hole course
BALLATER
Ballater Golf Club www.ballatergolfclub.co.uk
[review]
A good combination of length and understated challenge makes Ballater well
worth exploring.
BANCHORY
Banchory
Golf Club www.banchorygolfclub.co.uk
a well-established parkland course built largely on the terraces of the river
Dee. Its wooded and riverside setting provides an ideal and inspiring
round.
Inchmarlo Golf Centre, just west of Banchory www.inchmarlogolf.com
[review]
offers a 16-bay floodlit driving range and good short-game facilities. There
is a 18-hole course, and a 9-hole course.
BRAEMAR
Braemar
Golf Club http://www.braemargolfclub.co.uk
[review]
a delightful 18-hole course surrounded by hills, and the highest 18-hole
course in the UK. The combination of stunning scenery and fresh air, as well
as the delightful village, makes a trip to Braemar and its golf course most
rewarding.
LUMPHANAN
Lumphanan Golf Club www.lumphanangolfclub.com
[review]
hilly heathland with fantastic vistas. Challenging 9-hole course with narrow
fairways and small greens. Modest fees collected on honour system
(unattended).
TARLAND
Tarland Golf Club www.tarlandgolfclub.co.uk
[review]
a 9-hole course with an excellent level of greenkeeping and a warm welcome at
the small clubhouse. Highly recommended.
TORPHINS
Torphins
Golf Club www.torphinsgolfclub.co.uk
a hilly 9-hole course.
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