Things To Do
Home > Things To Do
Walking And Climbing
The ridge of the Ladder Hills is accessible directly from the Cottage without the need for driving.
Ben Newe is close by. The diverse range of walking and climbing opportunities in the Cairngorms National Park are generally within 30 to 90 minutes’ drive from the Cottage.
​
An extremely valuable tool to discover walking routes is to be found in the website of Walkhighlands. It offers various routes in the immediate area of the Ladder Hills above the Cottage, as well as the wider area of the Cairngorms and beyond.
For guided walking why not check out: https://www.hillgoers.com
Mountain Biking And Cycling
Mountain biking is available in the local area but there are several excellent facilities within an easy drive
There are specific facilities in Aberdeenshire. And purpose built trails are available in the Glenlivet estate (about 45 minutes by car on the other side of the Ladder Hills from Glenbuchat). Ride in Peace in nearby Glenkindie offers guiding and coaching.
​
The network of quiet local roads in the area of Glenbuchat and Strathdon offers a lovely range of road biking itineraries.
Whisky
Scotland is malt whisky country and many distilleries offer guided tours and tasting sessions.
The world renowned Royal Lochnagar Distillery in Crathie, the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown and the Tomintoul Glenlivet Distillery in Ballindalloch are under an hour’s drive away.
The North East Coast and the Moray Firth coast
A trip to the coast is definitely worth considering - just over an hour to the nearest coastal areas.
Aberdeenshire has a long and very diverse coastal region with distinctive villages and beautiful sandy beaches. VisistAberdeenshire suggests a coastal trail - 165 miles of signposted coastal trail.
​
On the coast (about 75 minutes’ drive) and not to be missed: Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven, steeped in history and with outstanding views.
Castles & Historic Buildings
A large number of castles are dotted about the North East of Scotland.
With over 260 castles, stately homes and ruins dotting its landscape, Aberdeenshire is said to have more castles per acre here than anywhere else in the UK. VisitScotland suggests that you can discover 19 of the most famous and dramatic castles in Aberdeenshire on Scotland's Castle Trail.
Of particular significance and easily accessible from Glenbuchat:
Glenbuchat Castle
Corgarff Castle
Dunnottar Castle
Balmoral Castle
Braemar Castle
Craigievar Castle
Crathes Castle (with particularly lovely gardens)
Fishing
Try your hand at fishing. There are three great fishing rivers rivers in Aberdeenshire , as well as smaller rivers and sea angling and stocked trout fisheries.
The River Dee is famous for its modern fly fishing for salmon. The River Don, which is located very close to the Cottage, is one of the best wild Brown Trout rivers in Europe. And the River Deveron is a well reputed salmon river.
The Upper reaches of the River Don are very accessible from the Cottage. The river passes by the east entrance to Glenbuchat. The season is-
-
salmon from 11th February to 31st October
-
brown and sea trout between 1st April to 30th September
The River Don is well known for being a good salmon river, it also has a very good reputation for sea trout, but wild brown trout are the biggest draw. The Don has some excellent fly water with plenty of fast flowing streamy runs and rocky pools. Salmon come up in midseason runs when the water rises, and to spawn towards the end of the year.
​
The River Deveron is situated within the counties of Aberdeenshire and Moray and has an overall catchment area of 1266 km² and a length of 96kms (61 miles). The Deveron is a prolific salmon, sea trout and brown trout fishery and holds the record for the heaviest fly caught salmon in the United Kingdom. The Deveron has a well-deserved reputation as top class salmon river, with runs of spring, summer and often prolific runs of autumn salmon through to its season’s end. The Deveron has the fifth highest salmon and sea trout rod catch in Scotland and currently holds the record for the heaviest UK fly caught salmon, weighing 61lbs (27.6Kg). The Deveron salmon and sea trout season is open and closes on 31st October and the brown trout season runs until the 6th of October.
​
Book fishing via https://www.fishpal.com/
​
​
