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Aberdeenshire

Banchory Golf Club

An eighteen-hole parkland course along the Dee at Banchory, laid out by Archie Simpson in 1905 on the fields of Kinneskie Farm, where Paul Lawrie first learned the game.

Welcome

Right beside the town, Banchory's golf course runs along the north bank of the Dee, its fairways lined with old pines, birch and heather, and the river never far away.

When it opened, the magazine Golf Illustrated wrote that it would be difficult to name a more charming spot, and it still feels much the same.

The club began in 1904, when a group of local men leased the fields of Kinneskie Farm from Sir Thomas Burnett of Crathes. The next year Archie Simpson of Royal Aberdeen, twice runner-up in the Open, laid out eighteen holes, turfed with grass from the Crathes estate, and the course opened on 1 July 1905. The farm's old round mill house still stands, now the professional's shop.

It is a short course with plenty of par threes, and the river waiting along several holes. It is also where Paul Lawrie, the Open champion of 1999, first learned to play.

Not farThe Strong Water Co20 milesSee itThe Strong Water Co
Before you go

Visitors are welcome; book tee times through the club.

The clubhouse is on Kinneskie Road, a short walk from the High Street.

Where
Kinneskie Road, Banchory AB31 5TA.
Telephone
01330 822365.
The course
Eighteen holes along the Dee.

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Where it is

On the south side of Banchory, between the town and the River Dee.

Close byBanchory.
  1. Tease's black shopfront on Banchory High Street, with benches and plants at the door.Tease Coffee BarUnder a mile 1 min by road
  2. Birdhouse Cafe BanchoryBirdhouse Cafe BanchoryA café and bakery in Banchory run by Long Walk Coffee, who roast their own speciality coffee in the town every Monday.Under a mile 2 min by road
  3. A bottle of the Strong Water Co.'s own whisky held up at its Banchory shopfront.The Strong Water CoUnder a mile 2 min by road
  4. Ride Coffee House BanchoryRide Coffee House BanchoryA coffee house on the High Street.Under a mile 3 min by road
  5. River tumbling over rocky falls through a wooded gorgeFalls of FeughSalmon leaping the falls south of Banchory.Under a mile 3 min by road
  6. Crathes CastleCrathes CastleA turreted tower house with painted ceilings and yew hedges of 1702.4 miles 12 min by road
Directions
Banchory Lodge's glass-roofed garden room set with tables and wicker chairs.RestaurantsBanchory Lodge0.7 miles
The Water of Feugh pouring white over the rocks at the Falls of Feugh, by the restaurant.RestaurantsFalls by Orry Shand0.8 miles
Gravel track through autumn woodland, barrier gate and stone wall alongsideWalksHill of Maryfield Walk1.8 miles
The Cowshed's dining room of wooden tables in Banchory.RestaurantsCowshed2.0 miles
The Barn's glass-fronted building and stone steading among daffodils.AttractionsThe Barn Arts2.4 miles
Buchanan Bistro's high-ceilinged dining room at the Barn in Banchory.CafeBuchanan Bistro2.4 miles
Maroon sign reading "Fold Craft & Design Store" against a cloudy skyShoppingFold2.5 miles
Pink heather and forest below the hills around Scolty.WalksScolty Hill Walk2.9 miles
Green steam locomotive engulfed in smoke beside a wooden station platformAttractionsRoyal Deeside Railway3.3 miles

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The Daily for 25 October, from Scotland with love. bare tree stumps standing in an autumn loch, forested hills reflected in the still water

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the course, and when each is next free.

Timber cabin with metal roof and decking surrounded by woodland treesNorth Lodge and River Cabin
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Banchory
  • 6 miles from Banchory
Free 29–30 OctA stone cottage with a slated roof and teal door sits behind a lawn, a striped bench and timber fence framing the garden.The Bothy, Glendye
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Banchory
  • 6 miles from Banchory
Free 27–28 OctSofas flank a window framed by red curtains looking out to a garden and outbuilding, a coffee table set with candles and a small house-shaped ornament between them.The Hay Loft at Glendye
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Strachan
  • 6 miles from Banchory
Free 2–3 NovA stone cottage with a slated roof and black stove pipe sits beside a gravel drive, foxgloves and wildflowers lining the path.No 4 Steading Cottage
  • Sleeps 7
  • In Strachan
  • 6 miles from Banchory
Free 25–26 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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