Hotels in Aboyne: Highland Games, Cycling and Glen Tanar

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Pure Luxury

“Call me spoiled - but I love to be treated like a queen when traveling. Only the best is good enough for me. Hotels that make my vacation a dream of luxury and seduction are my choices. Pay attention to the (violet Medal) for luxury accommodation.”

Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

Editor's Choice

Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

Aboyne lies in the heart of Royal Deeside. Three themes offer different starting points for planning: the trails in Glen Tanar, cycling on the Deeside Way or at Aboyne Bike Park, and cultural history alongside the Highland Games. If you’re looking for hotels in Aboyne, first consider whether nature, cycling or the August event will shape your stay. This will help you organise your travel dates and activities around a specific focus.

Trails in Glen Tanar

Glen Tanar lies within the Cairngorms National Park and has more than 100 miles of estate trails. The options range from gentle riverside walks to more challenging climbs through ancient pine forests and on to viewpoints. This lets you tailor the character of your day to the level of challenge you want: the riverside trails offer a gentler option, while the climbs are more challenging. The waymarked walking trails start at the Braeloine Visitor Centre. This starting point provides practical guidance for planning on site, alongside the different types of trail.

Glen Tanar is accessible even without a car: the connecting trails between Aboyne and Dinnet provide access to the valley.

Cycling and other activities

The Banchory–Aboyne section of the Deeside Way is 13 miles (21 km) long and is suitable for walkers and cyclists. This gives you a route option with a stated distance; Aboyne Bike Park, by contrast, is a facility in Bell Wood, built in 2013. It is open 24 hours a day and free of charge, with no supervision on site. Check the conditions before travelling. The distinction is practical for planning: the Deeside Way has a set stage length, while the park is a specific location with its own conditions of use.

Trout fishing in Glen Tanar is fly fishing from a boat only. This clear restriction is important if you’re including this activity in your plans.

History and planning your dates

Aboyne Castle is listed as Listed Building (B) 3122. It stands almost on the same site as a possible medieval peel and a horizontal motte-and-bailey castle belonging to the Bissets, the Lords of Strathdee, dating from before 1233. The castle therefore brings together a possible medieval structure and the more precisely dated castle of the Bissets.

The Aboyne Highland Games take place on the first Saturday in August. Unlike this date-specific event, you can choose nature and cycling activities according to the type of trail or route length you prefer.

There are two ways to approach choosing your travel dates and activities for the day: the Highland Games provide a calendar anchor, while nature and cycling options are defined by trail types, a named route or the Bike Park. If you’re looking for accommodation in Aboyne, consider whether the date, route length or type of activity matters most for your stay. This helps tailor your search to your travel plans.

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For the wider travel overview: Aberdeenshire.