Ride Coffee House Banchory

Start the day at Ride Coffee House. It’s a great first stop for breakfast, with consistently good coffee and a short menu of hot food. They use Dear Green beans from Glasgow, and the drinks are reliably well made. Filled rolls and breakfast burritos are the main options in the morning, with toasties and wraps available later on. There’s also home baking on the counter, usually a mix of traybakes and cakes.

The café is relaxed and unfussy, with seating inside and a few outdoor tables when the weather allows. It’s just outside the main part of town, with parking close by, and easy to get in and out without adding time to your route. Service is quick and friendly, even when it’s busy.

Once you’ve eaten, it’s a short drive out to Milton of Crathes for the next stop. Our own shop is based there, alongside a few other small studios and a good riverside path if you want to stretch your legs before continuing on to Crathes Castle.

The Hidden Scotland Shop sits just outside Banchory at Milton of Crathes, a small cluster of converted stone buildings beside the old railway. It’s home to our own magazine and guidebooks, along with a curated selection of goods from Scottish makers. You’ll find prints, ceramics, textiles, candles, maps, and a mix of well-made items that reflect the people and places they come from. It’s not a big space, but everything has been chosen carefully, and there’s usually something worth picking up if you’re looking for a gift or a keepsake from the area.

It’s also a good place to ask questions. If you’re looking for walking suggestions, tips on what’s nearby, or help with planning your trip, we’re always happy to chat. You don’t need to be buying anything. Just come in and say hello.

Milton of Crathes has a few other shops and studios around the courtyard, and there’s a path nearby that runs along the River Dee. If you want to stretch your legs for ten or fifteen minutes before the next stop, it’s a quiet, scenic spot to do it. Crathes Castle is just up the road and makes for a natural continuation of the day.

Crathes Castle is less than five minutes from Milton of Crathes and well worth setting aside time for. The tower house dates from the 1500s and still has much of its original character. Inside, the rooms feel lived in rather than staged, with painted ceilings, old furniture, and portraits that give a clear sense of the family who were here for generations. Staff are usually around if you want to ask anything, but you can take it at your own pace.

The grounds are just as impressive. The formal walled garden is laid out in sections, with clipped yew hedges, seasonal planting, and quiet corners to explore. It’s worth walking the full loop if time allows. Beyond the garden, there are woodland trails ranging from short loops to longer walks through the estate. Paths are well-marked and suitable for most visitors.

Before you reach the car park, look to the field on your right. The Highland cows are often grazing there and tend to draw plenty of attention from visitors.

There’s a café and a shop on site, along with toilets and picnic areas. Entry to the castle and gardens is ticketed, but you can access the café and estate walks without a fee. From here, lunch is a short drive away.

Buchanan Bistro

Buchanan Bistro is about a seven-minute drive from Crathes Castle, set just behind the Barn arts centre. It’s a relaxed spot with a strong local following, known for cooking that focuses on seasonal produce and Scottish ingredients. The menu changes regularly but usually includes soups, salads, burgers, and a few daily specials. There are plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options, and the cakes and desserts are worth leaving room for.

The space is bright and open, with wooden floors, shelves of cookbooks, and a mix of regulars and visitors passing through. It’s informal and welcoming, with friendly service and no rush on the tables. On a sunny day, the outdoor seating looks over fields and woodland, and if you’re travelling with kids, there’s space for them to move around.

Lunch here tends to be unhurried, and it’s the kind of place where people stay for coffee and a second slice of something sweet. If you want something light, there are smaller plates and good drinks options, including soft drinks from local producers.

Once you’ve finished eating, FOLD is just next door — a small shop that’s worth a look before heading back into town.

Fold

FOLD is a small shop beside Buchanan Bistro, part of the Barn arts centre just outside Banchory. It specialises in contemporary Scottish craft and design, with a changing mix of work by makers from across the country. Inside, you’ll find ceramics, textiles, jewellery, prints and other pieces made in small batches or by hand. The selection shifts regularly, and everything is made by independent designers working at a high standard.

Some of the makers are based locally in Aberdeenshire, while others come from further afield. You’ll see a mix of functional objects and more decorative work, from small prints to stoneware mugs to handwoven scarves.

If you’ve just had lunch at the bistro next door, this is a great stop before heading back into town. It doesn’t take long to look around, but it adds something different to the day

Banchory

After visiting FOLD, head back into Banchory for a walk through the town centre. The High Street is easy to navigate, with a mix of independent shops, small cafés and local businesses. Everything is within a short stretch, and parking is usually easy to find nearby.

One place to make time for is The Strong Water Co. It’s a family-run drinks shop with a wide selection of whisky, gin, wine and local beers. The staff know their stock well and are happy to help if you’re looking for something specific or want to try something from the area. They also sell a few Scottish food items and gifts.

Beyond that, there are bookshops, outdoor stores, clothing, and small gift shops to browse. It doesn’t take long to get around, but there’s enough variety to make it worth the stop. From here, it’s a short walk or quick drive to the Falls of Feugh.

Falls of Feugh

Just outside Banchory, the River Feugh drops through a narrow channel beneath a stone bridge. There’s a car park nearby, and it’s only a short walk to the viewing point. The falls are best seen from the footbridge, where the river gathers and breaks over a series of rocks below.

In autumn, this is one of the most reliable places in the area to spot salmon jumping. They gather at the base of the falls and try to make their way upstream. There’s a board nearby with a bit of background on the salmon run and when to look out for it.

Even if you’re out of season and the salmon aren’t leaping, it’s still a great stop and a good way to end the day. The bridge gives a clear view of the river, and if there has been a lot of rainfall, the water can be loud and powerful. It’s a dramatic place to pause and watch for a while.

Across the road, there’s a restaurant that looks out over the water and serves lunch, tea and cakes. It makes for a satisfying end to the route before heading home.