UKC

Evening all.

Holidaying close to Braemar in a couple of weeks.

Besides drinking tea and eating cake (a great past time in itself), what exciting things are there to do within no more than an hours drive when the weather turns bad?

Thanks

In reply to funkyvin1:

Take mountain bikes: lots to do from the village, ranging from Land Rover track rolling to single track fun. Just be cautious on the A93, if say heading towards Callater or towards Balmoral to access the tracks there. There are ways to cut down the tarmac to an absolute minimum, obvious if you study a map. Taking bikes by car to park at the Keiloch or Linn of Quioch you can avoid riding the A93.

Biking in the rain is fun

In reply to funkyvin1:

You've got all the usual touristy stuff along royal deeside, Balmoral, Royal Lochnagar distillery. But short of pottering around Aboyne, Ballater, Braemar and cycling it isn't really geared up for bad weather activities. Reekie linn near Alyth is stunning in the rain, trip to Peels farm for antiques and gin. I've never been to deeside activity park, it may be worth a look. There's a fair few castles, crathes just passed banchory, there's a steam railway at Milton of crathes too. If I think of anything useful I'll edit this post....

In reply to funkyvin1:

Thanks Guys.... some food for thought.

Any further suggestions........ nothing sensible will be dismissed!?

In reply to funkyvin1:

The ospreys at Loch of the Lowes and the Pictish stones museum at Meigle are just about within an hour's drive.

In reply to funkyvin1:

I thought Braemar Castle to be fascinating, very refreshing from the usual NTS officialdom you get at some castles like Crathes along the road.

In reply to Mark Bull:

(poss just within an hour?)There might be Ospreys on Loch Kinnord at present, great crag at Burn o Vat, good trails for running or nature walks. Plenty of other birds to spot too. Decent visitors centre also for info.

In reply to funkyvin1:

Cummingston on the Moray coast seems to have a permanently dry micro climate when all else is wet.

In reply to funkyvin1: Check out Marr Lodge with the Scottish National Trust. A couple of years back they did an evening guided stroll around the house and grounds. It was the best three or four pounds that we spent on our holiday, with tea and shortbread thrown in.

In reply to funkyvin1:
Warm clothes and waterproofs - and tea and cakes
If you want 'tourist attractions' it generally involves a bit of a drive.
If historic castle stuff interests, there's Corgarff and Kildrummy. Nearby Glenbuchat is closed due to unsafe masonry. (Sadly, North Glenbuchat Estate appears to be associated with raptor persecution).
Shorter walks (perhaps if with kids) - up Chapel Brae, past the duckpond and around Morrone Birkwood. To the mast at the top of Morrone is longer than it looks.
Walk through the woods up to Craig Choinnich or around (look for the Lions Face, then continue round to little cascading falls).
Up Glen Slugain - note if parking at Keiloch, the first bit is a slog over tarmac, better to ride this.
Taking bikes is a good choice - various rides, from Linn of Dee to White Bridge or to Derry Lodge.
Walk up Glen Ey.
Lost Art Gallery, the sign at Lost is ideal for comedy photo opportunities
If howling, horrible weather then books and games (and tea and cake).