Strathdon

The village of Strathdon in Aberdeenshire, Scotland is the main settlement in the Strathdon area that lies in the large valley of the River Don. The village was previously named ‘Invernochty’ as it is located at the meeting point of the rivers Don and Nochty. The nearby earthwork castle still bears the old name, The Doune of Invernochty. The moated motte castle dates from around 800 AD and was a stronghold of the ‘Mormaer of Mar’ which explains why it is often referred to as the 'Citadel of Mar'.  Strathdon is the founding place of the ‘Lonach Highland and Friendly Society’ that is made up of men from the area and formed in 1823 with the principal aims being the preservation of Highland Dress and the Celtic Language and “…to support loyal peaceable manly conduct and the promotion of social and benevolent feelings among the inhabitants of this district”.

Strathdon offers some amenities and is within reach of further developed towns and villages that offer additional choices for dining, shopping and leisure activities. The village and area draw visitors who come to explore the rich history of the area and the vast 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. Strathdon is the location for the Lonach Highland Gathering,  a traditional Highland Gathering with traditional heavy events such as tossing the caber and hammer as well as a competition of Highland dancing, noted for the 'Highland Fling', 'Sword Dance', 'Seann Truibhas' and 'Reel of Tulloch'.