Royal Deeside : Aboyne and surrounding Villages

Aboyne is a delightful town in the heart of Royal Deeside, an area famed for its unspoilt beauty. Midway between the sea at Aberdeen and the mountains of the Cairngorms National Park, this is an area with something for everyone who wishes a break from the pressures of a busy world. On this page we will also introduce some of the surrounding villages and smaller communities. Mostly these are small and unspoilt but also quite old. From east to west they are

Aboyne : on A93 30 miles west of Aberdeen
Torphins: north of A93 mid-way between Banchory and Aboyne
Finzean: south of River Dee, midway between Banchory and Aboyne
Kincardine o' Neil : ancient village on A93
Lumphanan : north of Kincardine o' Neil
Birse : south of River Dee, south-east of Aboyne
Tarland : north of River Dee, northwest of Aboyne

	Aboyne has a colourful history as is evident from Aboyne Castle, just a half-mile from the centre of the village.		Near Cairngorms National Park, Aboyne is surrounded by some wonderful countryside and nature reserves such as Glen Tanar.
	At the centre of Aboyne is a superb Green where each August the famous Highland Games are held.		The countryside around Aboyne combines beauty with wonderful opportunities for sport such as salmon fishing and gliding.

The charming burgh of Aboyne lies close to the heart of Royal Deeside. Standing next to the River Dee and surrounded by attractive hills, the town is complemented by delightful scenery. With the Cairngorms National Park a short drive to the west, it is a popular tourist destination. With Aberdeen a pleasant 30 mile drive to the east, it is also popular with commuters. A lively community is supported by excellent shopping and other facilities. Aboyne Academy is the main school for the western end of Royal Deeside. Similarly, Aboyne Community Education Centre provides sporting and other community facilities for the same area. The centre supports an active theatre group.

For three weeks in July the theatre and Community Centre play a key role in the acclaimed Aboyne and Deeside Festival. In 2003, for example, this festival of the arts featured inter alia leading politician Roy Hattersley and film critic Barry Norman. On the first Saturday in August one of the great Highland games is held on the green at the centre of Aboyne. The late Queen Mother was a patron of these games.

The Aboyne area boasts excellent sports and other facilities. The River Dee is one of the great Scottish salmon rivers. The nearby gliding club offers some of finest gliding conditions in Europe. The Muir of Dinnet and Glen Tanar, both National Nature Reserves just west of Aboyne, allow the opportunity for pleasant excursions among exceptional countryside that contains a wide variety of wildlife.

Aboyne itself was founded in 1671 by the first Earl of Aboyne. The surrounding country has much of historical interest including the Balnagowan 'necropolis', a collection of nearly 1000 cairns. Just to the east of the burgh, both the villages of Lumphanan and Kincardine o' Neil have links to the battle in which King Malcolm Canmore defeated Macbeth in 1057. Today, the scene is much more peaceful but Aboyne and its surrounding villages retain their fascinating appeal.

There are many sites of historical interest, such as Tomnaverie, near Tarland

The substantial war memorial by Finzean and Birse accompanies an ancient standing stone. Clachnaben, seen in the background, is a well known landmark.