Aboyne Loch Caravan Park

The freshwater loch gives Aboyne Loch Caravan Park its character: a quiet waterside setting in Royal Deeside, surrounded by woodland and open countryside. Grass pitches accommodate tents, while hardstanding touring pitches cater for campervans and motorhomes. Toilets, showers, laundry and washing-up areas cover the practical essentials, and dogs are welcome. Trout fishing and wildlife watching are part of the loch’s appeal, making the park a good option for visitors who prefer a peaceful setting between days exploring the Dee valley.

Aboyne village is within easy reach for shops, cafés, restaurants and a pub. For walking or cycling, the Aboyne-to-Ballater section of the Deeside Way begins beside the village’s Victory Hall and follows the former railway west through the valley. It offers a way to explore Deeside’s railway heritage and countryside without committing to a hill day. Glen Tanar provides a different landscape, with paths beside the Water of Tanar, ancient pinewoods and higher routes towards Mount Keen. Its visitor centre is a useful starting point for information about the estate’s trails and wildlife.

Another option for an outing is Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, where woodland and lochs surround the Burn o’ Vat, a huge rock pothole shaped by meltwater during the last Ice Age. Signposted trails include a circuit of Loch Kinord, while the reserve’s carved Pictish cross adds historical interest to a day on foot.