Activities in the area

LOCAL: STRATHDON AREA
Locations are given map reference on Ordnance Survey map. 

 Swimming
In the weir only 5 minutes from site.  Rubber inner tubes available.

 Walks

 1. Ben Newe. Local vantage point (565m), but only about 230m ascent from car park (map ref. 373139), about 3-4km. 

 2. Poldullie Bridge from Kirkhill, approx 1.5km. (map ref. 347125)

3. Baronets Cairn (Carn More).  Really good vantage point and nice walk up ridge crest past old pines. Approx 4km, 270m ascent. (map ref. 316118, park in quarry at 325102). Climb up bank on right, through fence and onto open hillside.  Head up past old pine trees)

4.Gael Charn. Approx 6km on track over moorland, 250m ascent.  Up track north from beside Goodbrand Knitwear shop (Map Ref 284084), then along ridge to east.

5. Military road at Corgarff.  From A939  Ballater road at NJ297063 to meet the road again near Cock Bridge NJ263087.  Approx 4km downhill.  Might need pickup at the end.  The Hill summits to the SW of this route look quite interesting but have not been up them.  Can also do this on bikes.

6. Summit of Mona Gowan 749m, from Culfork NJ337102.  Track through forestry then nice route over open moorland. Approx approx 10km there and back.

 7. Morven 871m (almost a Munro). Usual route up is from Logie Coldstone side NJ411033, approx 10km, but I have only been up from the west, which is much further. 760m ascent.

Other Places close by

1. Glen Buchat Castle.  NJ396148

2. Corgarff Casle. NJ254087

3. Goodbrand Knitwear shop. 6 miles west on main road in Corgarff, NJ284086. Nice coffee and cakes.

 4. Colquhonnie Hotel, Strathdon. Facing you across the valley. The local pub under new management.  Good food.

5. Lecht Ski centre10 miles west on road to Tomintoul.  Rides on inflatable rings down the dry ski slope.  Best thing is the Devil Karts, which you take up on the chair lift and ride down a matting slope.

6. Glen Buchat,  Nice drive round loop just north of Strathdon.

7. Glenkindie Pub, 8 miles east on road to Aberdeen.  Good beer and food.

8. Lost Gallery (NJ313158). Art Gallery in the forest up Glen Nochty.  Crossbills in the woods. Could walk up to the Crest of the Ladder hills from the end of the track.

9. Burn O Vat (NJ429997). Nice walks in the woods, visitor centre, picnic spots.  Go to waterfall.  If you don’t mind getting wet, go in the cave behind the waterfall.  Can also scramble up the gorge above the waterfall.  Have been it is nice to walk down to the lake east of the car park, but still have not done this yet.  Course fishing in the lake (Loch Kinnord).

10. Fishing.  Trout ponds at Mossat (map ref. 474198, can hire tackle and get instruction) and closer at Ardgeith (map ref. 397107).  We own the fishing on south bank of River Don from the bridge at the bottom of the hill below the church, to a point 300m east.  You are welcome to try your luck there.