Aboyne Loch Caravan Park
& what’s nearby
Email: info@aboynelochcaravanpark.co.uk
Tel: 01339 886244
Full credit must be given to this tranquil family run caravan park. It is situated in the heart of Royal Deeside, surrounded by Aboyne Loch. There is a pleasant one mile walk from the campsite to the local village of Aboyne. Even though the park offers space for tents, Tourers, Caravans, Statics & Loch side house; It has been landscaped in such a way that your pitch is peaceful and unique.Â
There is course fishing permits and boat hire available on site.
Centrally located for walks, golf, swimming, castles, distilleries and lots more.Â
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Aboyne Loch Caravan Park can be reached from 4 different directions and everything in between.
From the North – You will require to navigate a selection of B roads taking you through some stunning countryside, skirting the Cairngorms National Park and will eventually reach the A93. Depending on your point of arrival you will either turn left, passing through Aboyne and the campsite is on the left about a mile outside Aboyne or you will turn right and the campsite will be on your right, at some point.
From the East and West – Again, there is a variety of routes to take but suffice to say that you will enjoy your journey as you leave your initial A roads and join the peaceful B roads. We appreciate that these directions are very vague and a SATNAV is highly recommended.Â
From the South – Slightly less choice and there is a good change you will take the B974, the Old Military Road, which will eventually take you to the A93 and the campsite is about 5.5 miles from this junction.
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Loch of Aboyne. It literally surrounds the campsite and Course fishing permits are available at the Caravan Park office. Boat hire is also available on site.
195 of the National Cycle Network. Running from Aberdeen to Ballater Also known as the Deeside Way, it passes the campsite.
Aboyne Golf Club is the oldest golf course in Royal Deeside, Scotland. It lies southwest of the Loch of Aboyne. The golf club was originally a nine-hole course and existed as early as 1881. The golf course was designed by golfer and architect Archie Simpson before being redesigned by Martin Hawtree. 1 mile away via road or less if walking.
The village of Aboyne. On bank of the River Dee, this charming village has a short history as it only became established in 1828. Before this date it was a small settlement but has grown in stature over the years.
Walk the Aboyne – Craigendinnie Circular This walk starts in the centre of Aboyne, crosses the River Dee and proceeds up part of the Fungle Mounth route (an old drove road). It then rises and continues westward, offering great views over Aboyne.
Glen Tanar Estate. Situated in a beautiful glen at the heart of Royal Deeside and within the spectacular Cairngorms National Park, Glen Tanar Estate offers some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery, spread across 25,000 acres of heather-clad moors & Caledonian Pine Forests. 5.5 miles from the campsite.
Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve. Just at the edge of Dinnet village, there’s a place where you can walk through some of Deeside’s prettiest woodlands and picnic beside a loch clothed in water lilies. And if you fancy scrambling into a granite cauldron, following in the footsteps of Queen Victoria, you can do that too! We would recommend a visit to Burn O’Vat. Formed approximately 14,000 to 12,000 years ago by meltwater from a retreating ice sheet. 10.5 miles from the campsite.Â
This trip was all about following the sun, not easy in Scotland in September and also a spot of wild camping. We choose the North East as it looked like we would get a couple of sunny days and we were keen to explore the a small part of the Cairngorms National Park, on our way further north and this will be highlighted in a separate blog but for now, we decided to stop off at Aboyne Loch Caravan Park for an overnight.
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First impressions were good. We were met by a cheery and helpful member of staff who showed us to a reasonably sized pitch which had electric hook up and a water tap. The member of staff was keen to show that all COVID procedures were being adhered and gave us all the information we would need for our stay. We quickly pitched up and worked out what we were going to do.
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We had a quick walk around the campsite, which is cleverly landscaped to help make the place seem small and cosy rather than large and regimental. The toilet block is spacious with large shower areas. There is a laundry facility and outdoor washing up area. So, it had everything we needed in a well-kept and clean environment.
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As time was limited, we decided to take a walk into Aboyne. The best way to do this is walk past the reception area and as you reach the site entrance, you will see a gate. Use this gate to join the path that takes you to Aboyne. You will see the Lochside house that is for rent on your right. This path is also part of the Deeside Way from Aberdeen to Ballater. The path eventually leads to a quiet street, turn left then left again and you will now be on the final section beside a A93 which takes you into Aboyne.
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Due to the continued COVID restriction at the time we visited, there was limited access to cafes and pubs but we managed to have a wander around.
Our wandering around resulted in various observations that will be familiar to most of you. It went something like this –
Walking passed the café: – ‘’I don’t think there’s anywhere to sit. I wonder if they do takeaway?’’ ‘’Do you want something with your coffee?’’ ‘Yeah if you see something nice’’ The café in question was Corner House.
Walking passed a once grand hotel that is now closed: – ‘’What a shame! Surely someone with money could do something with it!’’ ‘’I wonder what happened? Was it poorly managed or is there just not the need for it anymore?’’ ‘’It’s been some place in its time’’ We were talking about The Huntly Arms Hotel.
 Walking passed a large central grass area: – ‘’I wonder if this space is used by the locals?’’ ‘’Yeah it would make a great spot for a Highland Games’’ It turned out that this ‘’Grass area’’ is called Aboyne Green and this is where Aboyne Highland Games takes place every August.
Walking passed some large houses for sale: – ‘’I wonder how much they are asking for the?’’ ‘’That’s some view that one has.’’ ‘’It’s a lovely village but I don’t know if I could stay here all the time’’
‘’Are we near the pub yet?’’ Our pub of choice was The Boat Inn and very nice it was too!
‘’That looks like a nice walk, we’ll need to come back and spend more time next time’’ A local walk that we spotted, on a sign not far away from the pub we visited, was called The Lady Wood circular walk but it looks like we would have been spoiled for choice! Aboyne Walks
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Then it was back to the campsite, a quick conversation with our neighbours and preparation for our trip into the wilds of Scotland the next day. So basically, a quiet stopover but we would definitely recommend a stay at this campsite and the surrounding area has a lot to offer.