Step 6 · Plan a day out of the city
Royal Deeside: the valley west of the city
Follow the River Dee inland through Banchory, Aboyne and Ballater to Braemar and the edge of the Cairngorms.
What is Royal Deeside?
Royal Deeside is the name given to the valley of the River Dee as it runs inland from Aberdeen towards the Cairngorms. Its royal connection comes from Balmoral, the estate bought for the royal family in the nineteenth century, which sits in the upper valley near Crathie. But the valley's appeal is broader than that: granite villages, pine woods, salmon pools, castles and, at its head, some of the highest mountains in Britain.
The villages, from east to west
- Banchory: the largest town on lower Deeside, around eighteen miles from Aberdeen, with riverside walks and Crathes Castle nearby.
- Aboyne: a village set around a large green, known for its Highland games.
- Ballater: a Victorian spa village of granite houses and shops, inside the Cairngorms National Park and a popular base for walkers.
- Crathie: home to Balmoral Castle, whose grounds open to visitors at certain times of year — check its own website for dates.
- Braemar: a high village surrounded by hills, home to one of the best-known Highland gatherings each September, and the gateway to the Linn of Dee and the mountain passes south.
How to visit
By car, the main road follows the river and the drive from Aberdeen to Braemar takes roughly an hour and a half without stops. Regular buses run up the valley, so a day trip to Banchory or Ballater is possible without a car. The Deeside Way, a walking and cycling route along the old railway line, starts beside Duthie Park in the city and reaches Ballater, so you can also cover sections on foot or by bike.
Staying on Deeside
For a slower trip, consider a night or two in the valley itself. Guest houses, inns, cottages and campsites are found in most of the villages, and staying in Ballater or Braemar puts you close to walks in the hills. In summer and during the Braemar gathering, book well ahead.
Good to know
- The road beyond Braemar climbs to the Cairnwell pass, one of the highest main roads in Britain, and can be affected by snow in winter.
- Mobile phone signal can be patchy in the upper valley; download maps before you go.
- Deer, red squirrels and birds of prey are all possible sightings — drive slowly on rural roads, especially at dusk.
Pair this page with castle country and the Cairngorms to plan a longer inland loop.