Finzean is in royal Deeside, from Aberdeen the 'Granite City' to stunning rugged mountains we're lucky to be in an area of Scotland that offers something for everyone.
Our beautiful and comfortable holiday cottage with Hot Tub is located in the peaceful village of Finzean Royal Deeside, great for getting away from it all. You can enjoy the many short walks from the front door or have relaxing soak in the hot tub while enjoying the views of ‘our’ curiously shaped mountain Clachnaben. If you’re in the mood for exploring, both Banchory and Aboyne are 10 minutes drive away and both offer an abundance of leisurely sightseeing, shopping, fishing, golf, restaurants & pubs.
If you’re feeling energetic there’s plenty of options within easy reach, some of the finest sporting estates in the world are on your doorstep. Of course, with several good standard golf courses within easy reach, there’s always the option of golf. Maybe you’re interested in the fine and rugged landscape of upper Deeside and the Cairngorm mountains? There’s a fantastic network of paths, from easy rambles to a tea shop to very committing routes – all offering stunning views and memorable days out. If you are bringing your mountain bike then the Deeside Bike Collective Banchory Woodland Bike Trails and Tarland Trails are a short drive from us. We’re more than happy to point you in the right direction, we’ve listed a number of activities below but there are so many options of things to see and do we’re very happy to help you pick a great day out.
Highland Games and Fairs
Most of the towns and villages around the cottage have an annual Highland Games or a Show day, which is a country fair. These days out are great fun and give a unique insight into local rural life in Aberdeenshire. Here are the biggest shows and their dates
Banchory Show, Banchory – (last Saturday in July)
Turriff Show, Turriff – (last Sunday & Monday in July)
Ballater Victoria Week - (2nd week of August)
Aboyne Highland Games - (the 1st Saturday in August)
Ballater Highland Games – (2nd Thursday in August)
Lonach Gathering, Strathdon – (4th Saturday in August)
Royal Braemar Gathering, Braemar – (1st Saturday in September
Castles
Scotland is famous for its historic Castles and there are many to be found in Royal Deeside. Here are a selection that are within easy reach of Drumhead Cottage
- Drum Castle, Garden & Estate,
- Balmoral Castle. Balmoral Estate the Scottish home of the British Royal Family
- Braemar Castle
- Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate
- Dunnotar Castle
- Craigievar Castle
- Castle Fraser, Inverurie
- Kildrummy Castle (ruin)
- Kindrochit Castle, Braemar (ruin)
- Knock Castle, Ballater (ruin)
- Corgarff Castle, Cock bridge
Local – suitable for a half day out
- Royal Deeside Speed Festival, Kincardine Castle (www.rdsf.co.uk)
- Go Ape & mini-Go Ape, the woods at Crathes Castle
- Milton Art Gallery, Royal Deeside Steam Railway, Milton Brasserie, TwinPeakes Fly Fishing, Hidden Scotland, White Stag Barrels, WhiteSky Photographics and Livi Loves Dress Agency.
- Deeside Activity Park, Quad Biking, Archery, Go-karting and a restaurant serving local Aberdeen Angus
- Grampian Transport Museum, Alford
- Crathie Kirk which is the Church used by the Royal Family when in residence at Balmoral
- Deeside Gliding Club
- Sarah Butterworth Art Gallery - now online only
- Finzean Water Powered Turning Mill
- 5 indoor play barns for children within 35 minutes drive (Den & the Glen, Dizzyrascals, Tick Tock, Wynford Farm & Hoodles)
Day trips – a little further afield but well worth the journey
- Landmark, Carrbridge Aviemore
- RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig, Kingussie
Skiing
- The Lecht (35 miles) or Glenshee (43 miles)
Golf
- Banchory Golf Club,
- Inchmarlo Golf Resort
- Aboyne Golf Club
- Peterculter Golf Club
- Ballater Golf Course
- Braemar Golf Course
- Westhill Golf Course
- Stonehaven Golf Club
- Trump International Golf Links, Balmedie
- Driving Range at Inchmarlo Golf Resort
- Driving Range at Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Aberdeen
Numerous fishing beats on the River Dee just 10-15 minutes from our cottage
- Mill of Strachan Trout Fishery, Strachan Banchory
- Raemoir Trout Fishery, Banchory
- Aboyne Loch, Aboyne
- Tullich Fishery, Ballater
- Heughhead Fishings, Strachan, Banchory
- Contact FishDee for a permit to fish on the River Dee www.fishdee.co.uk
Shooting
- Many local Estates offer a shooting experience on estate land
Horse Riding
- Midstrath Equiworld Club, Ballogie
- Highlands Unbridled, Ballogie
- Glen Tanar Equestrian Centre, by Aboyne
Gliding
- Deeside Gliding Club, Dinnet, Aboyne
Walking
Linn of Dee, Inverey – spectacular gorge on the River Dee. Start point of many walks in the Cairngorm Mountains.
Marr Lodge Estate (National Trust for Scotland) beautiful scenery & walks
Spittle of Glen Muick – climb Lochnagar or walk round Loch Muick
Glen Tanar is a national Nature Reserve, lovely walks
Muir of Dinnet national nature reserve with many fine walks and wild life
Clachnaben, Glen Dye
Tom’s Cairn
Mount Keen, Glen Tanar Estate
Mount Battock via Clachnaben
Hill of Fare near Banchory
Tomnaverie Stone Circle & Drummy Wood, Tarland
Lock Kinord circuit, Muir of Dinnet
Burn o’ Vat and the Culblean circuit
Camus o’ May pinewood trail
Craigendarroch oakwoods, Ballater
The Fungle – Glentanar
The shooting greens at Potarch
Distilleries
Drawing on the barley and water of the area, Whisky or the ‘Water of Life’ is an iconic tipple of Scotland, even if you don’t care for the drink, a visit to a distillery is a unique and fascinating experience.
- Royal Lochnagar Distillery & Visitor Centre, Crathie, Ballater AB35 5TB – 26 miles
- Fettercairn Distillery, Laurencekirk AB30 1YE – 16 miles
- Glen Garioch Distillery, Oldmeldrum, Inverurie AB51 0ES – 33 miles
- Glenlivet Distillery, Banffshire AB37 9DB – 50 miles
- Cardhu Distillery & Visitor Centre, Aberlour AB38 7RY – 55 miles
- Strathisla Distillery, Keith AB55 5BS – 53 miles
- Aberlour Distillery, Banffshire – 56 miles
- Macallan Distillery, Aberlour – 56 miles
- Glen Grant Distillery, Rothes by Aberlour AB38 7BS – 57 miles
Eating Out
Forget doing the dishes – visit one of the many great restaurants in the area which cater for many cuisines, form informal to fine dining.
- Finzean Estate Farm Shop & Tea Room, 5 minutes walk – Lunch, coffee and casual dining, also a great place to stock up the kitchen on local produce, game and vegetables.
- Potarch Restaurant & Cafe
- Boat Inn, Aboyne
- The Derbar Indian Restaurant, Banchory
- Banchory Lodge Hotel, situated on the River Dee
- Tor-na-Coille Banchory
- Deeside Nurtaj Indian Restaurant, Aboyne
- Platform 22, Torphins for a spot of lunch or coffee & cake
