Glenshee & Royal Deeside

Take the A926 to Blairgowrie; there turn right onto the A93 Braemar road. At Bridge of Cally the road begins to rise as you enter Glenshee. The road at the Glenshee Ski Centre is the highest main road pass in Britain at 2.199 feet.

Braemar Highland Heritage Centre

Continue on to Braemar, home of the famous Royal Braemar Gathering held on the first Saturday in September. Visit the Braemar Highland Heritage Centre. This award winning visitor centre tells the history of the village and the surrounding area in an entertaining and informative way.

Six miles north from Braemar lies Balmoral Castle, the Queen’s holiday home. Part of the castle and the gardens are open to the public from end of March to August 1st when it closes whilst the Queen is in residence for her summer holiday. Next to the castle car park you can visit Crathie Church where the Royal Family worship while in residence at Balmoral then have a quick look and a ‘wee dram’ at Royal Lochnagar Distillery. Continue along the A93 to Ballater – watch out for the “By Royal Appointment “plaques – and then Aboyne, named from the Gaelic “place of rippling water”. Both towns are ideal spots to enjoy a late lunch. A little further is the town of Banchory, another 3 miles east and you will find the haunted Crathes Castle and Gardens. Now turn right onto the A957 towards the seaside town of Stonehaven and Dunnottar Castle. A dramatic and evocative ruined cliff top fortress in a truly stunning setting (one photo oportunity NOT to miss).

Homeward Bound

Take the A90 towards Dundee, Fettercairn distillery (the oldest licensed distillery in Scotland) is just off the main Aberdeen-Perth Road (A90 exit at Laurencekirk) and well worth a stop – you may even get another ‘wee dram’. Return to Alyth via the A90 exit for Kirriemuir (A926 windy road) or Forfar (A94)

(Route approximately 80-120 miles / 128-193 km)