Welcome to Banchory

Banchory is located in the north-east of Scotland on the River Dee, in the county of Kincardineshire, approximately 525 miles north of London and 20 miles west of Aberdeen.

The town has a population of around 6,000. Administratively it is within the unitary council region of Aberdeenshire which covers an area of approximately 6,313 sq kms.

Surrounded by beautiful wooded countryside it is a peaceful holiday resort which was developed predominantly during the early 19th-century. There are some notable historic buildings in the vicinity including the impressive 16th-century Crathes Castle, and visitors will be enthralled by the spectacular sight of salmon jumping at the Feugh bridge.

Evidence of prehistoric settlement here includes excavated Mesolithic flint tools, standing stones and burial mounds. However the town's modern history dates from the 5th century when St Ternan established a learning centre at Banchory, and a medieval hamlet grew up on the site following the grant of land to the Abbot of Arbroath from King William the Lion in the 12th century. The town grew in importance when the first permanent crossing of the River Dee was built in the late 18th century, a bridge giving access to Feughside, Stonehaven and the South. It was the 19th century and the arrival of the railways, which allowed the development of the areas timber industry, which saw a major expansion of the town. Another rapid growth period came with the discovery of North Sea oil in the late 20th century and a massive influx of workers saw the town's population rise threefold.

The traditional rural economy is based on agriculture (primarily livestock farming) and forestry. Service industries and tourism also play a significant role with the Royal connection to Balmoral, the spectacular scenery of the Cairngorms, and the numerous castles and attractions in the area. Many residents also commute to work in Aberdeen.