Location: Banchory
Top Things to do in Banchory
10 Things to Do in Banchory That You Shouldn't Miss
Banchory (Scots: Banchry, from Scottish Gaelic: Beannchar) is a burgh or town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is about 18 miles west of Aberdeen, near where the Feugh River meets the River Dee.
Restaurants in Banchory
1. Crathes Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 525 reviews
This beautiful castle dates back to 1563 and is rumored to be haunted.
Reviewed By DavidMay1945 - Montrose, United Kingdom
Even on a very cold winters day it was a most enjoyable walk from the car park and back towards the castle. There are several walks in the grounds of the lovely castle.
2. Knockburn Loch
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Michael E
Good couple of days spent with the very friendly adventure team at Knockburn. All activities were good fun and was good to get some fresh air! Even tho it was January and we had to camp outside.. would definitely suggest this to another group to try. Good job!
3. Platform 22
Overall Ratings
5 based on 50 reviews
Platform 22 is a family run pottery gallery, featuring our own pottery by ceramicist Emma Pattullo and a licenced coffee house in the pretty Deeside village of Torphins. Recently we have become a micro-brewery making small batches of real ales, which are available both in house or buy to enjoy at home later! Every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm in the Platform 22 forecourt we host Torphins Market. Scotland's only weekly outdoor farmers market that runs throughout the year, promoting local business, local produce and local enterprises too. Wherever your journey takes you pull in at Platform 22 and discover the "Heart of Deeside".
Reviewed By PersonalTaste - Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
What a glorious selection of home baked cakes. My dark chocolate stout cake was a real treat of sweetness, stickiness and - most of all - CHOCOLATINESS! Lovely coffee and friendly staff. Excellent!Thank you, what a lovely review! I'm so pleased you enjoyed the Chocolate Stout cake ~ it's my favorite cake to bake just now and adding the Belhaven Espresso Stout it gives it a wonderful rich flavour! Hope to see you again very soon!
4. The Butterworth Gallery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 22 reviews
This 3 star visitor attraction at Ballogie in the heart of Royal Deeside, is a family run business. It hosts a permanent display of originals,giclees, prints, cards & gifts by artists Howard Butterworth & daughter Mary.The Gallery is open Thurs- Sun 11 am - 4pm. Viewing out with these times can be made by contacting Sarah Entry to the Gallery is free, however special pre arranged visits with restricted numbers of 6 - 25 with tailored events are available as a private tour. Price on application. Bus parking available.
Reviewed By Neil-in-Alford - Alford, United Kingdom
Don't miss this small gallery if you are in the area. Beautiful local artwork by Father & Daughter artists. A wide range of art - particularly of Aberdeen and Upper Deeside.Thank you Neil for your positive feedback, a little bit late in our reply but delighted that you enjoyed your visit and the work by our artists. Hope to see you again when you next visit. Kind regards Sarah
5. Castle Fraser Garden & Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 275 reviews
From the striking simplicity of the medieval Great Hall to the well-stocked library and Victorian bedrooms, a tour of the castle gives a sense of walking through history. Each laird stamped his personality on the family seat, from the various ways of spying on those in the Great Hall to trophies gathered on global adventures. The panoramic views from the top of the round tower are spectacular, revealing the courtyard, Gardens and estate beyond, ready to be explored. The distinctive peaks of Bennachie can be seen in the distance. The traditional walled garden includes specimen trees, herbaceous borders, a medicinal border and organically grown fruit and vegetables. There are two waymarked walks on the estate that offer magnificent views of the local area.
Reviewed By totalview - Inverness, United Kingdom
We travelled to Castle Fraser on a Friday morning, and made a beeline for the coffee shop. Despite it being exceptionally busy due to an American bus party, we were quickly served and loved their blueberry scones.
We then went on to view the Castle itself. While they don't do guided tours as such, we found staff members on every floor,and they were only too willing to share their information and knowledge. Each room also had information pads with ample information. A reasonable level of mobility is required to visit the entire castle, including the roof.
We ran out of time and didn't visit the Gardens. Like most National Trust for Scotland places we have visited, everything was well organised, well sign posted and well looked after. We bought a pot plant as they were good value for money.
6. Drum Castle, Garden & Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 298 reviews
Reviewed By Ann281 - Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
We visited Drum Castle twice this year, its my favourite NT property, it worth being a member as its costs £12.50 plus parking for non members, we are lucky to be members, as there is a fantastic Harry Benson exhibition on show at the moment it runs until 3rd December, its called Seeing America, many of the pictures are taken when he arrived with the Beatles in America in 1964, and was witness to most of the momentous events of the 20th century.
Our first visit this year we had a lovely tour, with a lady called Ann? very informative, and we enjoyed a picnic in the lovely grounds as the weather was glorious.
We returned later in the year to revisit the exhibition
7. Falls of Feugh
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By Garfield_1990 - London, United Kingdom
We came here by car and we obviously got lost and missed the turning for the little car park - hahaha.
Anyway, the falls are very beautiful but unfortunately there was no salmon this time which is disappointing. By the looks of the reviews, the salmon came already in july/august.
No luck on salmon today (visited on saturday, 9th September).
8. Running the Highlands - Private Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By rivieragirl - nice
I booked this 5 day tour after going on one of their Balmoral weekends last year. It really was an incredible experience I will never forget. If you enjoy running, seeing incredible scenery and eating wonderful food then this guided trip is for you. Our two guides, Ben and Jon were excellent; highly knowledgeable and kept us all going when it got tough with promises of excellent views and cups of tea and we were not let down with either :D. Neil, is a fantastic tour leader and it was wonderful being able to meet the minibus part way through the day to change clothes and shoes if required and eat our packed lunches. He was always waiting for us with tea, coffee, Jaffa cakes and a smile. I will definitely be signing up for another trip.
9. Scolty Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By Afboarei - Scotland, United Kingdom
Estimated timings on the information board seem fairly accurate for the very unfit like us, we took about 50 mins from the car park to the tower via the steep path and stopped and looked about a fair bit. About 40 mins down the more level, longer path.
Wouldn't recommend for small kids as the steep path has some very high steps and the rocks on the long path are fairly loose in places, likely to make them trip.
Great views from the top though and very silent and peaceful!
10. Go Ape Crathes Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
A great day out near Aberdeen: Set in the grounds of historic Crathes Castle, we’re proud to unveil one of our new skateboard zips.
Reviewed By nicbing - Taipei, Taiwan
Myself, a friend and their teenage daughter recently spent an afternoon at Go Ape. This was my first experience of an activity like this. I loved it!
Craig was our instructor during our 30min briefing, he was professional and friendly, putting us all at ease, yet getting the important safety information across.
The course was challenging, but fun. Our instructor was never far away, so if we needed advice or encouragement, he was there, watching from the ground. There was 1 member of our group who didn't want to participate, she was able to walk around and take fab photos from the forest floor. There was no charge for this.
We went to the cafe afterwards and had a tasty (albeit pricy) lunch.
We felt the cost of the activity was quite expensive, although we had the course to ourselves, so we loved it.
Upon completion, you're given a certificate which gets you a reduction on your next visit.
All staff we met were lovely and friendly. Good service.
Tip- buy the gloves, give you good grip and stops you catching your skin on equipment.
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