The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in , Scotland

March 25, 2022 Veronika Gaddis

Discover the best top things to do in , United Kingdom including Loch Muick, Alford Heritage Museum, Glen Tanar National Nature Reserve, Craigievar Castle, Grampian Transport Museum, Linn O' Dee, World Horse Welfare, Mar Lodge Estate, Braemar Castle, Aboyne Golf Club.
Restaurants in Royal Deeside

1. Loch Muick

Glen Muick, Ballater Scotland http://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/loch-muick-p254641
Excellent
85%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 551 reviews

Loch Muick

Reviewed By Midhill

Enjoyed the 10 mile walk on a lovely autumn day. The tree colours were beautiful and the Loch and surrounding area stunning. It’s a flat walk with a few rough paths to navigate , just the place to get away from it all.

2. Alford Heritage Museum

3 Mart Road, Alford AB33 8BZ Scotland +44 1975 562906 [email protected] http://www.alfordheritagemuseum.com
Excellent
77%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 22 reviews

Alford Heritage Museum

Delightful small heritage museum run by a dedicated group of volunteers. The Museum is open from the beginning of April to the end of October

3. Glen Tanar National Nature Reserve

Glen Tanar National Nature Reserve, Aboyne AB34 5EU Scotland +44 1339 886072 http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/glen-tanar/
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 35 reviews

Glen Tanar National Nature Reserve

Reviewed By Midhill

Enjoyed a pleasant walk here on a sunny autumn day. Unfortunately the visitor centre was closed but managed to navigate our way around on foot. Climbed to the Knockie viewpoint and walked around the estate. Just the place to blow the cobwebs away and get away from it all

4. Craigievar Castle

Craigievar Castle, Alford AB33 8JF Scotland +44 1339 883635 [email protected] http://www.nts.org.uk/Visit/Craigievar/
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 419 reviews

Craigievar Castle

17th-century castle owned by the same family for over 350 years. Open April to September; access is by guided tours only. There are steep spiral stairs to the upper floors. A stunning castle in a wonderful setting, said to be the inspiration for Disney's castles.

Reviewed By 604colins - Derby, United Kingdom

A lovely old tower house converted to a fairly modern house. comfortable for the owners but with stairs linking the rooms. you can only visit with a guided tour and i think you need more time to take it all in and see everything properly. however it still worth a visit just to see how such tall narrow house were used and what the owners managed to do with them.

5. Grampian Transport Museum

Montgarrie Road, Alford AB33 8AE Scotland +44 1975 562292 [email protected] http://www.gtm.org.uk/
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 315 reviews

Grampian Transport Museum

Located in the vibrant village of Alford, just 45 minutes from Aberdeen, the museum boasts an impressive range of transport exhibits, from travelling chariots, of the 1800's, to some of the fastest cars ever made. Every season the museum refreshes around one-third of its exhibits –this year's exhibition includes 'The Guy Martin Collection' and 'It's Electric' which gives an in-depth look at the past, present and future of electric vehicles. A few old favourites remain, including our MACK Snowplough, Billy Connolly's Boom Lowrider motortrike and one of our Curator's favourites, the ex-Grampian Police Rover SD1 Vitesse. Our Tea Room serves an array of hot drinks, light lunches and snacks. At the present time, we have in place comprehensive COVID 19 safety measures to keep our visitors as safe as possible. A clear signage system explains how it all works. To prevent overcrowding, we have moved to online bookings accessed through our website.

Reviewed By 74hamishf - Alford, United Kingdom

Every year we buy an annual style membership. Great visit always and ideal for all ages. Specific quizzes and competitions keeps even the smallest visitors running around and enjoying the museu, Great wee cafe inside and outside play park for the younger visitors.

6. Linn O' Dee

7 Miles Beyond Braemar Past Inverey on the Linn O' Dee Road, Braemar AB35 5YB Scotland +44 1339 720164 [email protected] http://www.nts.org.uk/property/mar-lodge-estate/
Excellent
73%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 297 reviews

Linn O' Dee

The Linn O' Dee gives unrivalled access to some fine examples of classic features of a Highland landscape: remnants of the ancient Caledonian pine forest, heather moorland and parts of the high Cairngorm plateau. Fifteen of the Cairngorms Munros can be found on Mar Lodge estate. The less adventurous can enjoy our way marked trails, starting from the car park. The car park also hosts a seasonal information hut and toilet facilities. Parking in the car park is £3 per day for non members or free for National Trust for Scotland or National Trust members.

Reviewed By FrankW1949_12 - Yarraville, Australia

Worth the short drive to view this gorge where the river changes from a gentle stream to a raging deep gorge and back to a gentle stream

7. World Horse Welfare

Belwade Farm, Aboyne AB34 5BJ Scotland +44 1339 885398 [email protected] http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/farm/belwade-farm
Excellent
65%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 79 reviews

World Horse Welfare

Belwade Farm , the Scottish Home for World Horse Welfare . Rehabilitating Horses/Ponies and Donkeys from all over the UK , who have needed to come into our care. Come and see the work that we do to help them to find their forever homes . Apart from this , we are in possibly the most beautiful part of Royal Deeside and there are plenty of walks with your dogs. Enjoy a lovely Lunch or coffee in our scenic Bistro. Or maybe celebrate your special occasion within our Stone Circle , or use our conference facilities . Belwade has so much to offer everyone ... not forgetting our Fairy Garden for the kids young and old .Come and see for yourself . Open Weds through to Sunday 11am - 4.00pm , other times by arrangement . Please see our website for up and coming events at Belwade Farm .

Reviewed By davidcK9074MG - Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom

Had a wonderfull lunch and a nice setting, great selection of food and staff very welcoming and friendly, great walks and views seeing the horses in a peaceful setting

8. Mar Lodge Estate

Estate Office, Mar Lodge, Braemar AB35 5YJ Scotland +44 1339 720163 [email protected] http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Mar-Lodge-Estate
Excellent
72%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 93 reviews

Mar Lodge Estate

Mar Lodge Estate occupies nearly 7% of the Cairngorms National Park, covers some of the most remote and scenic wild land in Scotland, including four of the five highest mountains in the UK. Within its boundaries are fine examples of classic features of a Highland landscape: remnants of the ancient Caledonian pine forest, heather moorland, juniper scrub and a part of the high Cairngorm plateau. Fifteen of the National Trust for Scotland's 46 Munros can be found in the Cairngorms around Mar Lodge. The estate is recognised as one of the most important nature conservation landscapes in the British Isles: over 40% of the estate is covered by national and international nature conservation designations. Visitors can park in either the Linn of Dee or Linn of Quoich car parks and enjoy many outdoor pursuits such as woodland walks, hillwalking, cycling, climbing and horse riding.

Reviewed By marmalade1443 - Invergarry, United Kingdom

This was our fourth visit to Mar Lodge this time staying in the Braeriach apartment which was perfect for a couple. The rooms are large and the view down the main drive is magnificent. Despite later arrival times and earlier departure to allow for cleaning we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. This is a perfect location to bag Munro’s and explore the surrounding area. Our only request would be clearer information in the apartment about what items could be recycled. A very small point but would be good to know. We certainly plan to visit again

9. Braemar Castle

About 0.75 miles north-east of Braemar, on minor road just to north of A93, south of River Dee, Braemar AB35 5XR Scotland +44 1339 741219 [email protected] http://www.braemarcastle.co.uk/
Excellent
58%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 497 reviews

Braemar Castle

Enjoy a guided tour of 12 furnished rooms in this 17th century Castle. Ghosts and villains, Jacobites and high fashion, the story begins in 1628 when the Earl of Mar built Mar Castle as his Highland hunting lodge. Associated with all 3 Jacobite uprisings, the castle was burned by the infamous Jacobite, the Black Colonel, and was the base for the Earl of Mar as he planned the 1715 uprising. After the 1745 rebellion, it was a garrison for Hanoverian soldiers stationed there to make sure that no-one dared break the law and wear tartan or carry weapons. In the 20th century, the castle was home to American fashion journalist, Editor of Harper's Bazaar and wife of the Chief of Clan Farquharson, who decorated the rooms in her signature Schiaparelli pink. English and German audio guides and tours with friendly local guides who enjoy sharing their knowledge and stories of the area. There are hidden teddy bears for the children to count as well as a small gift shop which also sells teas, coffees and hot chocolate.

Reviewed By StigJim - Alliance, United States

Although the young volunteer who gave us the tour said she’d only been doing tours for a couple of weeks, she did a beautiful job. The castle has a fascinating history and the furnishings tell the story of what life here was like at various times in the castle’s history. We are glad we made this part of our Scottish castle tour!

10. Aboyne Golf Club

Golf Road Formaston Park, Aboyne AB34 5HP Scotland +44 1339 886328 [email protected] http://www.aboynegolfclub.co.uk
Excellent
79%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 63 reviews

Aboyne Golf Club

The oldest club on Royal Deeside, Aboyne is an immaculately maintained, challenging golf course with spectacular views of the surrounding hills & countryside. 6000 yards of impeccable fairways and faultless greens - a golfer's haven. Aboyne embraces every golfer, from beginner to Scottish Internationalist. Our welcoming, family friendly clubhouse allows you to soothe away your cares on our sunny balconies where you may catch a glimpse of an osprey, otters or the swans on the loch. Aboyne is the understated jewel in Aberdeenshire's golfing crown. Honoured to be chosen by the R&A to host the 'Coronation Foursomes' Area Finals in August 2018. Host venue Scottish Golf North-East District Men's Open August 2018: a World Amateur Ranking Qualifying Event.

Reviewed By aistirling - London, United Kingdom

Fantastic course, with a wide variety of challenging holes. Very well maintained course. Everyone we met was very friendly and welcoming. Highly recommended.

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