Aboyne

The village of Aboyne in Aberdeenshire, Scotland lies on the River Dee, amidst a stunning landscape and nearby the magnificent Cairngorms National Park. The park covers the Cairngorms range of mountains and surrounding hills and was once the largest national park in the British Isles. Aboyne has a rich history that can be traced back to prehistory, as with the other communities on Royal Deeside. The town is named after the first Earl of Aboyne with records dating from 1676, although there has been a castle here for longer. Aboyne Castle was built on this site for its strategic position near the River Dee with control over the northern end of one of the Mounth crossings. The 13^th century motte and bailey castle is now derelict but some parts are still visible.

Aboyne offers ample amenities and is an unusual design for a Scottish village as it is built around a Village Green; where The Highland Games are enjoyed each August. The Green is a feature here as the village was modelled on a traditional English village by one of the first Marquesses of Huntly. There is a vast choice of visitor attractions, historic sites and opportunities to enjoy outdoor pursuits within the area. Visitors come to enjoy walking, cycling and increasingly, gliding from the airfield just outside the village. Aboyne is now a very popular destination for gliding enthusiasts from across the UK and Europe.  Balmoral Castle, the British Royal Family's holiday home, is nearby too and the royal family is resident during the summer.