Royal Deeside & Aberdeenshire

For comprehensive information about Royal Deeside and what is best to do in the area, check out www.discoverroyaldeeside.com.

'The complete guide to Scotland for accommodation, attractions, activities, events, eating out and travel - http://www.welcometoscotland.com/regions/aberdeen-grampian 

Our area's biggest most famous attraction is undoubtedly Balmoral Castle and Estate.  Visit Balmoral and you'll understand why the Royal Family choose to make this area their favoured holiday location.  The estate comprises 50,000 acres of beautiful Deeside countryside and offers walking trails, pony trekking, landrover safaris and much more.

Royal Deeside is home to many fine golf courses, but we think Inchmarlo is one of the best.  Based in Banchory, they have an 18 hole championship course, a 9 hole course, driving range, restaurant and elegant serviced apartments.

The visitor centre at Glen Tanar estate features a permanent exhibition explaining the history, management and wildlife of the estate.  In addition, you can walk, fish, horseride, and mountain bike round this spectacular area.

If mountain biking is your thing, then head straight to Ballater to Richard and Liz Watts bike shop, Cycle Highlands.  You'll be able to hire bikes, book onto guided cycle runs and get useful information on where to go with your bike.

For those runners amongst you, Neil Stewart's Running the Highlands, offers running holidays as well as shorter guided runs and advice.

Of course, no trip to the north east of Scotland is complete without a visit to a distillery and a taste of our fabulous Scotch whisky.  Whilst there are many fine distilleries in this area, we recommend Royal Lochnager which is situated by the River Dee close to Balmoral Castle.  Age old traditions and craftsmanship produce one of Scotland's most exclusive whiskies.

This part of Scotland is also known as Castle Country, with every type of castle represented in Aberdeenshire, from desolate cliff-top ruins, to turreted extravagances via imposing battle fortresses.  Check out both Visit Scotland castle information and the National Trust.

We're also on the doostep of Britains biggest National Park, The Cairngorms.  It has the largest area of arctic mountain landscape in the UK with moorlands, forests, rivers, lochs and glens to explore.  In the winter, it becomes the UK's largest ski area.

Of course, there's more than just Cairngorm mountain if you want to ski in Aberdeenshire.  The Lecht and Glenshee are both close to us and offer winter and summer sports.

A great way to explore the amazing countryside we have here on Royal Deeside, and throughout the whole of Scotland, is to travel by motorhome.  Deeside Motorhomes have a fleet of luxury vehicles at affordable prices.