📌 Banchory, Aberdeenshire
★★★★
The beautiful stretch of the Dee downstream from Banchory is perfect (apart from the bit by the sewage works) for an easygoing stroll, following one of Scotland’s great salmon rivers through beautiful surroundings right to the gates of Crathes Castle. Allow time for several diversions along the way: perhaps take a steam train on the restored Royal Deeside Railway, or stop for lunch (or shopping) at the nearby Milton of Crathes complex? Even if you don’t want to pay for the castle itself, the estate’s free grounds are very much a key part of this walk, also taking you much of the way back to Banchory before suburban footpaths and cycleways finish the job.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Tillybrake Road, 0.5 mi northeast of Banchory town centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 704962
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.056000,-2.490392
🚌 Bus to Banchory – best stop is on Raemoir Road (A980) at St Nicholas Road junction (join walk route here)
🚗 Street parking
📝 Key info
▶ 11 km / 7 mi | ▲ 120 m | ⌛ 3-3.5 hr
Features: 🏠 Banchory; 💧 River Dee; 🚂 Royal Deeside Railway ★★★; 🏰 Crathes Castle ★★★★ & grounds
⬤ Easy | Pavements & urban paths in Banchory, good paths along the River Dee; forest paths & tracks in Crathes Castle grounds.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start – A980 / A93 junction – River Dee – follow riverside path to Milton of Crathes – Royal Deeside Railway – Crathes Castle via forest walk through Carleith Wood – West Lodge exit gate – Burn of Bennie – Hill of Banchory School – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Grey squirrels and lots of birds.
Weather: Cloudy at start but soon brightening up, becoming hot & sunny by Crathes Castle.
June 2013
