Banchory
Banchory
is situated on the North bank of the River Dee, 18 miles
West of Aberdeen. The Water of Feugh joins the River Dee.
Banchory was founded in 1805 and formerly included in Kincardineshire.
Banchory was originally known as Kirkton then Townhead.
It had a market cross at its centre but only fragments of
this survive and can be seen in the Burnett Park. A new
village was built in 1805 named Arbeadie, the arrival of
the railway in 1853, led to the merging of this and other
small villages into the town we know today as Banchory.
Banchory developed during the 19th century as a tourist
resort and in the late 20th century a commuter settlement
for those working in Aberdeen.
Crathes
Castle and Gardens
Close
to Banchory to the East is Crathes Castle, it was built
in the late 1500s by the Burnett family and occupied by
them until the 1950s. Now in the care of the National Trust
for Scotland. The famous gardens are laid out divided into
eight rooms, each with a different theme. The Castle and
grounds are one of the most popular attractions in the North
East.
Drum
Castle
Drum
Castle is one of the oldest houses in Scotland, originating
in the 13th century, built in 1285 by Richard Cementarius,
first provost (Mayor) of Aberdeen, for the then Royal family.
There is a collection of portraits and Georgian furniture.
The Old Wood of Drum has natural, ancient oak trees. The
gardens have historic roses and many woodland walks, like
Crathes, Drum is also in care of The National Trust for
Scotland.
Banchory
Today
The
people of Banchory today, keep alive a strong musical tradition
that is associated with the locally born composer of fiddle
music, James Scott Skinner known as the "Strathspey
King". A memorial tablet in Banchory, High Street commemorates
him. There are industries of craft, woollen, food processing,
building and timber in Banchory. Banchory attracts day trippers
on leisurely Sunday drives. Banchory is thought of as a
resort and a tourist gateway from the Victorian times onwards.
The Brig o' Feugh is one of the places popular with visitors
to the town. The Brig is just above where the north flowing
Water of Feugh joins the River Dee. The waterfalls on the
river are noted for their leaping salmon.
