Welcome to Royal Deeside : Things to Do Around Banchory
Whether you are here for a weekend escape, a golfing holiday, or a historic tour of Aberdeenshire, The Burnett Arms Hotel places you right at the gateway to Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes. From ancient castles to cascading rivers, the very best of Royal Deeside is just minutes from our front door.
Historic Castles & Estates
Crathes Castle & Garden
Distance from Hotel : 3 miles east
Visitor Attraction : A magnificent 16th-century tower house featuring iconic painted ceilings and rich family history. The estate boasts a world-famous walled garden with massive, sculpted yew hedges dating back to 1702, alongside miles of tranquil forest trails and a thrilling “Go Ape” treetop ropes course.
Drum Castle & Estate
Distance from Hotel: 7.5 miles east
Visitor Attraction : One of Scotland’s oldest surviving tower houses, charting centuries of architectural evolution. Explore the medieval 13th-century keep, stroll through the historic Rose Garden (divided into quadrants representing four centuries of botany), and wander the ancient oak forest.
Outdoor Adventure & Nature
Scolty Hill & Monument
Distance from Hotel : 1.5 miles south
Visitor Attraction : A favorite local hike. A steady, moderate climb through lush pine forests brings you to the summit, where the 20-meter-high Scolty Tower stands. Climb the internal spiral staircase for breathtaking 360-degree views across the River Dee and the surrounding valley.
The Falls of Feugh
Distance from Hotel: 1 miles south
Visitor Attraction : Watch the sheer power of nature at these rushing rapids. The footbridge over the River Feugh offers a prime viewing platform where visitors regularly watch wild salmon leap upstream, particularly during the autumn and spring.
Culture, Craft & Heritage
The Royal Deeside Railway
Distance from Hotel : 3 miles east
Visitor Attraction : Step back in time on this charming heritage railway line running alongside the River Dee. Ride beautifully restored steam and diesel locomotives on the historic line once traveled by Queen Victoria on her journeys to Balmoral.
The Barn Arts Centre
Distance from Hotel: 1.5 miles west
Visitor Attraction : Housed in a creatively redeveloped farmstead, this vibrant cultural hub hosts an active calendar of live music, theatre, comedy, independent film screenings, and contemporary art exhibitions showcasing local talent.
Golf & Leisure
Banchory Golf Club
Distance from Hotel : 0.5 miles
Visitor Attraction : Established in 1905, this picturesque 18-hole parkland course runs right alongside the banks of the River Dee. Offering a fair but challenging test for golfers of all abilities, it’s the perfect spot to spend an afternoon before returning to our lounge.