Sarai’s guidebook
Golfing
This is one of the many golf courses close by, it is 9 miles away from our cottage set on the coastline
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Trump International Golf Links
This is one of the many golf courses close by, it is 9 miles away from our cottage set on the coastline
Newmachar Golf Club
this is the closest golf course and they have 2 to choose from
Kintore Golf Club
this is just along the road
Neighbourhoods
This Medieval Burial Ground is a beautiful spot right on our doorstep, thought to be one of the oldest on mainland Scotland this graveyard is still privately owned. It was granted to the Abbey of Lindores between 1191-1195. The church was ruinous by 1732 having fallen in to disuse following the construction in 1703 of the new church in Fintray by William Forbes. There are a few very old gravestones and a lot of interesting ones to read but just being there next to the river is very peaceful, the snowdrops followed by the scent of wild garlic in the spring, then the beautiful bluebells are a sight to be seen.
Cothal
This Medieval Burial Ground is a beautiful spot right on our doorstep, thought to be one of the oldest on mainland Scotland this graveyard is still privately owned. It was granted to the Abbey of Lindores between 1191-1195. The church was ruinous by 1732 having fallen in to disuse following the construction in 1703 of the new church in Fintray by William Forbes. There are a few very old gravestones and a lot of interesting ones to read but just being there next to the river is very peaceful, the snowdrops followed by the scent of wild garlic in the spring, then the beautiful bluebells are a sight to be seen.
Sightseeing
You can join this walk from just along the road. (53 miles) The Formartine and Buchan Way is an off-road route linking Dyce with Fraserburgh and Peterhead. The path follows the old Formartine and Buchan Railway line which in its glory days transported passengers from Dyce on the fringes of Aberdeen to the coastal towns of Fraserburgh or Peterhead, the route splitting at the village of Maud.
The line was the victim of the 1960s Beeching cuts and stopped carrying passengers in 1965, although freight services continued into the 1970s. The Buchan Countryside Group reopened the route as in 1987 and it is now much used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders alike, as well as being a valuable natural corridor for many types of wildlife including deer, fox, weasel, stoat and badgers.
Because it uses the level bed of the former railway, the route it is pretty flat, making many sections accessible for wheelchair users. The route travels through (or close to) many places of interest including Drinnies Wood Observatory, Strichen Stone Circle and Deer Abbey.
Formartine Buchan Way Bridge
You can join this walk from just along the road. (53 miles) The Formartine and Buchan Way is an off-road route linking Dyce with Fraserburgh and Peterhead. The path follows the old Formartine and Buchan Railway line which in its glory days transported passengers from Dyce on the fringes of Aberdeen to the coastal towns of Fraserburgh or Peterhead, the route splitting at the village of Maud.
The line was the victim of the 1960s Beeching cuts and stopped carrying passengers in 1965, although freight services continued into the 1970s. The Buchan Countryside Group reopened the route as in 1987 and it is now much used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders alike, as well as being a valuable natural corridor for many types of wildlife including deer, fox, weasel, stoat and badgers.
Because it uses the level bed of the former railway, the route it is pretty flat, making many sections accessible for wheelchair users. The route travels through (or close to) many places of interest including Drinnies Wood Observatory, Strichen Stone Circle and Deer Abbey.
This beach is 10 miles from the cottage, Balmedie's sandy beach is part of Balmedie Country Park and way marked as such on the signs.
The beach is sandy and great for castles as well as safe paddling and swimming though there is no lifeguard cover. Picnic tables and childrens play equipment are situated within the park near the beach.
Immediate vicinity amenities include accessible toilet block and 1700 metres of boardwalk assist visitor access through the dunes.
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Balmedie Beach
This beach is 10 miles from the cottage, Balmedie's sandy beach is part of Balmedie Country Park and way marked as such on the signs.
The beach is sandy and great for castles as well as safe paddling and swimming though there is no lifeguard cover. Picnic tables and childrens play equipment are situated within the park near the beach.
Immediate vicinity amenities include accessible toilet block and 1700 metres of boardwalk assist visitor access through the dunes.
this was the Home seat of Forbes Sempill up until they handed it over to the National Trust, they owned Fintray Estate so has Close ties with this area
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Craigievarin linna
this was the Home seat of Forbes Sempill up until they handed it over to the National Trust, they owned Fintray Estate so has Close ties with this area
this is a lovely castle to visit and has a nice garden to walk around and a coffee shop you can enjoy a fine piece!
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Castle Fraser, Puutarha ja Kiinteistö
this is a lovely castle to visit and has a nice garden to walk around and a coffee shop you can enjoy a fine piece!
another stunning castle, so many to choose to visit, the ancient grounds are spectacular
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Crathes Castle
another stunning castle, so many to choose to visit, the ancient grounds are spectacular
Once a year the Braemar Gathering takes place here on the first Saturday of September, you're sure to see Royality and experience a fine display at these Highland Games, massed pipe bands, Highland dancing and tug o War to name a few events, well worth seeing
Braemar Highland Games Centre
Broombank TerraceOnce a year the Braemar Gathering takes place here on the first Saturday of September, you're sure to see Royality and experience a fine display at these Highland Games, massed pipe bands, Highland dancing and tug o War to name a few events, well worth seeing
looking for a bit of a walk, this isn't too far away, great views from the top
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Bennachie Centre
looking for a bit of a walk, this isn't too far away, great views from the top
nip down the AWPR and experience open air pool in the summer
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Stonehaven Open Air Pool
The Linksnip down the AWPR and experience open air pool in the summer
very interesting place to visit, gives you a bit of insight as to what it would have been like, and it was still used until not that long ago, the tour guides are very knowledgeable and if you're lucky one of the gentlemen actually used to work there!
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Peterheadin vankilamuseo
South Roadvery interesting place to visit, gives you a bit of insight as to what it would have been like, and it was still used until not that long ago, the tour guides are very knowledgeable and if you're lucky one of the gentlemen actually used to work there!
Great place to take the kids, one of our neighbours actually designed this place
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Macduffin meriakvaario
11 High ShoreGreat place to take the kids, one of our neighbours actually designed this place
View collapses sea caves, 30m drop and a narrow clifftop coastal path to see seabirds such as Puffins, Kittiwakes, Gulliemots and Razorbills and there's beautiful wild flowers growing along the walk
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Bullers of Buchan
View collapses sea caves, 30m drop and a narrow clifftop coastal path to see seabirds such as Puffins, Kittiwakes, Gulliemots and Razorbills and there's beautiful wild flowers growing along the walk
just along from the Bullars of Buchan you can see the castle that's thought to have inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula, but please be very careful as very treacherous at the cliff edge
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Slainsin linna
A975just along from the Bullars of Buchan you can see the castle that's thought to have inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula, but please be very careful as very treacherous at the cliff edge
Greyhope Bay
there's a little cafe that you can watch for dolphins, great home bakes
visit the Queen's Highland residence when she's not up in Royal Deeside
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Balmoral Castle
visit the Queen's Highland residence when she's not up in Royal Deeside
This is a spectacular place to visit, Victorian coaching inn that has been restored, the building holds many interesting pieces of art from a Picasso to Steinway Piano and even Queen Victoria's Stockings! a snack in the Flying Stag, public bar or afternoon tea in the drawing room.
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The Fife Arms
Mar RoadThis is a spectacular place to visit, Victorian coaching inn that has been restored, the building holds many interesting pieces of art from a Picasso to Steinway Piano and even Queen Victoria's Stockings! a snack in the Flying Stag, public bar or afternoon tea in the drawing room.
Food Scene
looking for value and child friendly, this is close by and you can go for carvery every day! there's a play area at the back of the restaurant
Dyce Farm - Dining & Carvery
looking for value and child friendly, this is close by and you can go for carvery every day! there's a play area at the back of the restaurant
looking for a fabulous meal and great service, you will not get a better steak in the area, not to far as this is between Kintore and Inverurie
Porterhouse Steak House and Coffee Bar
looking for a fabulous meal and great service, you will not get a better steak in the area, not to far as this is between Kintore and Inverurie
this is one of my favourite restaurants, this is on the beach front and only takes about 15 mins to get there, fabulous food
Turkish Kitchen Bar & Grill
Esplanadethis is one of my favourite restaurants, this is on the beach front and only takes about 15 mins to get there, fabulous food
another of my favourite places to eat when in town, situated in Union Square shopping centre, plenty parking there or why not take the train from Dyce
wagamama aberdeen
Guild Streetanother of my favourite places to eat when in town, situated in Union Square shopping centre, plenty parking there or why not take the train from Dyce
Sea Salt + Sole
Station Roadthis chip shop is in Dyce next to the train station, quality everytime
Dunavon House Hotel
60 Victoria Streetthis is a great local restaurant
fabulous food, very generous portions and very local, Paul and his team will look after you well
Beekies Neuk
28 Oldmeldrum Rdfabulous food, very generous portions and very local, Paul and his team will look after you well
Great fish and chips and you can sit in! quite a few Ashvales in and around Aberdeen, under 5s eat free
Ashvale
51 Market PlaceGreat fish and chips and you can sit in! quite a few Ashvales in and around Aberdeen, under 5s eat free
this is a fantastic place to visit, if you time it right you can watch the cattle getting milked through the window, the ice cream is fabulous! and you can get organic milk from the vending machines
Forest Farm The Organic Dairy
this is a fantastic place to visit, if you time it right you can watch the cattle getting milked through the window, the ice cream is fabulous! and you can get organic milk from the vending machines
handy venues to know
P & J Live
exhibition centre
Garioch Heritage Centre
Loco Works RoadWell worth a visit to see the history of Inverurie and how folk lived
Dunnottarin linna
Great place to visit and have a walk through the castle
this is a free venue, great place to spend a few hours if it's raining
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Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Shiprowthis is a free venue, great place to spend a few hours if it's raining
children's activities
another place to spend a few hours entertaining children of all ages
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Aberdeen Science Centre
179 Constitution Stanother place to spend a few hours entertaining children of all ages
The Den & The Glen
South Deeside Roadboth inside and outside activities
Innoflate
1A Beach EsplanadeGreat for kids to burn off energy