Aboyne

Aboyne is a Village in northeast Scotland, 32 miles west of Aberdeen, 11 miles east of Ballater.

Aboyne is popular for its Walks around the Village, Aboyne Castle Estate with a Cathedral for Prize Cows, Aberdeen Water Ski & Wakeboard Club at the Loch of Aboyne 1 mile east, Fishing at the Loch of Aboyne, Glen Tanar Estate for Fishing & Shooting, Deeside Activity Park 4 miles northeast, Deeside Distillery by the Activity Park, number of Walks in the area, and Mount Keen most easterly Munro. Mountain Photos.

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Camping & Touring Parks in area

The image top is of the vast Aboyne Green, or Charlestown Green, with the Aboyne Parish Church right and Village centre left of the Church. The Aboyne Highland Games are held here in late July or early August.

Aboyne centre has a number of Local Shops and the Huntly Arms Hotel, built from 1770 with Queen Victoria often using the Hotel on her way to Balmoral Castle 18 miles west.

In front of the Hotel, at the entrance to Aboyne Green, is the Jubilee Fountain erected by Locals in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria 1897, and Coronation of King Edward VII 1902.

Aboyne Train Station is a short walk east of the Village centre, opened in 1859, closed in 1966, now housing a number of Shops. There used to be Old Railway Carriages here, used for inexpensive accommodation for Tourists, also, a short Line to Aboyne Curling Pond Railway Station, for people Curling on the Loch of Aboyne.

This was a time of the Little Ice Age from the 1600s to 1800s when Ponds would freeze over regular in winters.

The old Railway Line is now part of the Deeside Way footpath that runs 40 miles between Aberdeen and Ballater.

The Bowling and Tennis are across the road from Aboyne centre, with Tennis Court hire available for a small fee.

Aboyne Castle is 1 mile north of the Village centre, with the best way to walk round the Estate by parking at the Cemetery on Aboyne Stone Circle Road, or walk from the Village centre. Castle and Stone Circle Map.

Aboyne Castle was built from the 1200s for the Bysets, Lords of Strathdee and Aboyne. This early Wooden Castle was replaced by the Stone Castle seen today from the 1670s. The Castle has been owned by the Knights Templar, Clan Fraser, Clan Keith, and now Clan Gordon.

The Coo Cathedral is by the Castle, built in 1889 for William Cunliffe Brooks to house prize Bulls and Cows, now converted for Weddings and Events. Brooks had bought the neighbouring Glen Tanar Estate, with his Daughter marrying Charles Gordon, Earl of Aboyne.

The Castle is private, and there are houses being built on the Estate, but many people use the Estate to visit the Stone Circle, Walking, Jogging, and Cycling.

Aboyne Bridge is on the west side of the Village, crossing the River Dee. The first Bridge from 1828 collapsed the following year. A Suspension Bridge was completed in 1829, with that collapsing in 1859. The third Bridge was completed in 1871, with that Bridge being replaced in 1930 by the Bridge seen today.

The Boat Inn by the Bridge is a popular spot for Drinks, Coffee, and Meals.

St Thomas's Episcopal Church is also on the west side, on Old Tollhouse Road, completed in 1909 in Gothic Style, looks much older.

Aboyne Golf Club is 1 mile east of the Village, founded in 1883. Club History.

Aboyne Loch Caravan Park is under 1 mile east of the Village, with Pitches for Tourers, not sure if they still do Tents, also Fishing on the Loch.

Aboyne History

1245 - Walter Bisset of Aboyne Castle, under 1 mile north of Aboyne, was accused of murdering the Earl of Atholl after the Earl defeated him in a Tournament, leading to feuds that ended with many Bisset's fleeing to Ireland, then Aboyne Castle being taken over by the Knights Templar.

1307 - the English took control of Aboyne Castle during the First War of Scottish Independence.

1355 - Clan Keith gained control of Aboyne Castle from the Fraser's through marriage.

1400s - Aboyne Castle became the property of Clan Gordon through marriage.

1640 - Archibald Campbell, Earl of Argyll, took control of Aboyne Castle when leading Government forces in Battles with Covenanters. Clan Gordon had men fighting on both side of the Covenanters War, a time some Scots were fighting to prevent Kings based in England from ruling their Churches.

The Gordon's resumed control of Aboyne Castle after the Covenanters War.

1745 - the Battle of Culloden ended with Government forces defeating the Jacobite's, last major battle on the British mainland, leading to safer times with the Government building Military Roads and Forts throughout the Highlands to keep the peace.

1770 - the Huntly Arms Hotel was built in the centre of Aboyne, a time the Village was evolving.

1798 - Horse Drawn Mail Coaches began running between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, also carrying Passengers. Mail then had to be transported from Aberdeen to Towns in the area by Horse and Rider.

1800s early - Horse drawn Mail Carriages began operating from Aberdeen to Towns in the Deeside area, also transporting Passengers.

1800s - Aboyne Castle has a large extension built onto the original Tower.

1848 - Queen Victoria gained control of Balmoral Estate 18 miles west of Aboyne, with her often stopping at Aboyne on her travels to and from Balmoral. Roads in the area were basically cart tracks at that time, with Queen Victoria almost killed once when her Horse Drawn Carriage overturned.

1859 - the Railway reached Aboyne with the Station in the centre of the Village.

1867 - the first Aboyne Highland Games take place.

1870 - Curling was played on the Loch of Aboyne, also known as St Katherine's Loch, with it being so popular, a Railway Line was built to the Loch with its own Station. The Curling Club is thought to have ended around the time of World War One 1914 - 1918. The Loch is under 1 mile east of Aboyne.

1870s - Sir William Cunliffe Brooks bought Glen Tanar Estate on the south side of Aboyne from the Gordon's, with his daughter marrying Charles Gordon, 11th Marquess of Huntly. Brooks had a pink granite Mansion built on the Glen Tanar Estate, also the Coo Cathedral for prize Bulls close to Aboyne Castle.

1883 - Aboyne Golf Club was founded.

1891 - Sir Hugh Munro published his first list of Mountains in Scotland over 3,000 feet, with Mount Keen by Aboyne being one of these Mountains at 939 m / 3,081 feet. Mountains over 3,000 feet now attract many Hikers from all over the UK, and beyond.

1895 - the first Cars were imported into Scotland, with the new Roads built for Cars, Buses and Trucks soon leading to reduced trade for the Railways.

1905 - Glen Tanar Estate was bought by J&P Coats Ltd of Paisly, with the Estate still in that family today. Glen Tanar is now used for Holidays, Sport, and Weddings.

1966- the Railway closed at Aboyne with the Station now used for Shops. The Old Line is now part of the Deeside Way footpath that runs 40 miles between Aberdeen and Ballater.

1970s - most of the extensions built onto Aboyne Castle in the 1800s were demolished.

2010s - Gordon's begin selling land on the Aboyne Castle Estate for housing known as Castle Park. The Castle is also altered at this time with some outer buildings removed to be replaced by larger buildings.

2018? - the Coo Cathedral was converted to be used for Weddings and Functions.